How to Back Up and Restore CapCut Projects and Drafts (2026)

Losing a CapCut project after hours of editing is one of the worst feelings for any creator. It can happen when you uninstall the app, clear its data, switch phones or install a new version. The good news is that a simple backup can save all your work.

In this guide, you will learn how to back up CapCut projects and restore them on Android, iPhone and PC. We cover cloud space, folder copies and simple exports. We also explain where CapCut stores drafts and how to avoid losing them in the future.

Why Do CapCut Drafts Get Lost?

CapCut saves your drafts on your device, not inside your account by default. This means your projects only live on that phone or computer. If something happens to the app or device, the drafts can disappear.

Most losses happen during normal tasks that seem harmless. Knowing them helps you back up at the right time. Here are the most common reasons users lose their drafts:

• Uninstalling CapCut: Removing the app deletes its local drafts.
• Clearing App Data: The “Clear data” or “Clear storage” option wipes projects.
• Switching Phones: Drafts do not move to a new phone on their own.
• Installing a Different Build: Moving to a modded or older version often needs an uninstall.
• Deleting Original Clips: Drafts need the original media to open properly.
• Phone Reset: A factory reset removes everything on the phone.

Backup Methods at a Glance

There are three main ways to back up CapCut projects. Each one has its own strengths. The table below helps you choose.

For full safety, use more than one method. For example, export your finished video and also upload the project to cloud space. This way, you always have a copy.

Method 1: Back Up CapCut Projects to Cloud Space

CapCut’s cloud space saves your projects online with your account. You can then open them on another phone, a computer or after a reinstall. This is the easiest way to keep editable backups.

How to Upload a Draft to Cloud Space

1. Open CapCut and log in to your account.
2. On the home screen, find the project you want to back up.
3. Tap the three dots next to the project.
4. Tap Upload or Back up to cloud.
5. Wait until the upload finishes, including all media.

Some versions also have an auto backup option in settings. This can upload new drafts on its own. Check the cloud space section of the app to see your backups.

Cloud Space Limits

Free accounts get limited cloud space, while paid plans get much more. Large projects with many 4K clips can use up space quickly. Check our CapCut Pro price guide for storage details by plan.

Method 2: Copy the CapCut Draft Folder on Android

If you do not want to use the cloud, you can copy the project files by hand. This is useful before a reinstall or when you switch to another CapCut build. It works offline and keeps full editable projects.

Where CapCut Stores Drafts on Android

On most Android phones, CapCut keeps its data in the app folder here: Internal storage > Android > data > com.lemon.lvoverseas. Your drafts are saved in folders inside this location. The exact folder names can change between versions.

How to Copy the Folder

1. Connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable.
2. Choose File transfer on your phone.
3. Open your phone storage on the computer.
4. Go to Android > data > com.lemon.lvoverseas.
5. Copy the whole folder to your computer.

On Android 11 and newer, the Android/data folder is locked for most file manager apps on the phone. That is why a computer connection is often the easiest way. Some file managers with special access can also open it.

Back Up Your Original Clips Too

Drafts link to your original photos and videos in your gallery. If those files are gone, the project may show “media missing”. Always keep a copy of your original clips along with the draft folder.

Method 3: Export Your Videos as a Backup

The simplest backup is to export your finished video. This does not keep an editable project, but it saves the final result. It is a great safety net for important work.

1. Open your project.
2. Tap Export and choose a high resolution.
3. Save the video to your gallery.
4. Copy it to Google Drive, a computer or an SD card.

Export at the highest quality you may need later, such as 1080p or 4K. You can always compress a copy for social media. You cannot add quality back once it is lost.

How to Restore CapCut Projects on Android

Once you have a backup, restoring it is easy. The steps depend on which backup method you used. Here is how to restore each one.

Restore From Cloud Space

1. Install CapCut and log in with the same account.
2. Open the cloud space section.
3. Find your project and tap Download.
4. Wait for it to finish, then open it from your drafts.

Restore From a Folder Copy

1. Install CapCut, but do not open it yet.
2. Connect your phone to your computer.
3. Copy your backed-up folder back to Android > data > com.lemon.lvoverseas.
4. Replace the files if asked.
5. Open CapCut and check your drafts.

If a project shows missing media, make sure your original clips are back in your gallery. Tap the missing clip and choose Replace to link it again. The rest of your edits should stay the same.

How to Back Up CapCut Projects on iPhone

iPhones do not let you browse app folders like Android. This makes cloud space the best backup method on iPhone. Exports are also a simple option.

1. Open CapCut and log in.
2. Tap the three dots next to a project.
3. Tap Upload to save it to cloud space.
4. For finished videos, export them to Photos and back them up to iCloud or another service.

Your iPhone backups through iCloud may include some app data, but they are not a reliable way to save CapCut drafts. Use CapCut’s own cloud space for editable projects. Then you can open them on any device with the same account.

How to Back Up CapCut Projects on PC and Mac

The desktop app saves drafts in a folder on your computer. You can find and copy this folder any time. This makes desktop backups very easy.

Find the Draft Folder on Desktop

1. Open CapCut on your computer.
2. Go to Settings or Preferences.
3. Look for Draft location or Projects.
4. Note the folder path shown there.

Back Up the Folder

1. Open the draft folder in File Explorer or Finder.
2. Copy the whole folder to an external drive or cloud storage.
3. Keep your original media files in the same place, so links still work.

To restore, copy the folder back to the same draft location before you open CapCut. You can also change the draft location to an external drive in settings. Read our CapCut for PC and CapCut for Mac guides for more desktop tips.

How to Move CapCut Projects to a New Phone

Switching phones is one of the most common reasons people lose drafts. Plan ahead, and the move will be smooth. Here is the best way.

1. On your old phone, upload all your drafts to cloud space.
2. Export any finished videos you want to keep.
3. Move your original clips to the new phone or cloud storage.
4. Install CapCut on the new phone and log in.
5. Download your projects from cloud space.

If you cannot use cloud space, copy the draft folder from the old phone to a computer. Then copy it into the same location on the new phone. Make sure you install the same or a newer CapCut version.

How to Keep Drafts When You Switch CapCut Versions

Switching to an older version, a modded build or a new install often means you must uninstall first. This is when most drafts get lost. Follow these steps to stay safe.

1. Upload important drafts to cloud space.
2. Copy the draft folder to your computer.
3. Export finished videos.
4. Uninstall the old version.
5. Install the new version and restore your drafts.

Moving between the official app and the CapCut Pro APK often needs an uninstall because the apps are signed differently. Read our CapCut app not installed guide for help with install errors. You can learn about the modded build on our CapCut Pro APK page.

Tips to Never Lose a CapCut Project Again

A few habits can protect your work every day. They take only a minute but can save hours of editing. Here are the most useful ones.

• Upload Big Projects to Cloud Space as soon as you finish a session.
• Never Tap “Clear Data” on CapCut unless you have a backup.
• Keep Original Clips until the project is done and exported.
• Export a Copy of every finished video.
• Back Up Before Updates or version changes.
• Use One Account on all your devices.

Common Backup Problems and Fixes

Backups can sometimes fail or not show up where you expect. Most problems come from storage, network or missing media. Here are the common ones.

Cloud Upload Fails

This usually happens because of a weak internet connection or a full cloud space. Switch to Wi-Fi and check your cloud storage limit. For network errors, see our CapCut no internet connection guide.

Restored Draft Shows “Media Missing”

The draft cannot find the original clips. Put the clips back in your gallery or folder, then tap the missing item and choose Replace. Keep original media with every backup.

Drafts Do Not Appear After a Folder Restore

You may have opened CapCut before you copied the folder back. Close CapCut, copy the folder again and replace existing files. Then open the app.

Cannot Open the Android/data Folder

Android 11 and newer lock this folder for most apps. Use a computer connection to copy the files. Some file manager apps with special access can also open it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Learning how to back up CapCut projects takes only a few minutes, but it can save hours of work. Cloud space is the easiest way to keep editable projects across devices. Folder copies and exports give you extra safety for reinstalls and version changes.

Make backups a habit before every update, uninstall or phone switch. Keep your original clips with your drafts, and never clear app data without a backup. For more helpful guides, visit Thecapcutmod.pro and explore our full CapCut library.