Setup GuideBuilding Your Vault

Follow these steps to install CloudChute, connect your storage provider, and establish your encrypted backup environment.

Download for Mac View Technical FAQ

Step 1 Install and Launch

Drag the CloudChute icon to your /Applications folder and launch the app. It will appear in your macOS Menu Bar.

Step 2 Connect Storage

Select your provider. CloudChute utilises scoped permissions to ensure it only accesses its own dedicated folder, leaving your other data invisible to the application.

Provider	Security Method	Vault Location
Google Drive	Restricted Scope	Hidden `appDataFolder`
Dropbox	App Folder Scoping	`/Apps/CloudChute`
Box	Token Downscoping	`/CloudChute` (Root)

Step 3 Authorisation

OAuth Handshake: Sign in via the secure browser window. CloudChute uses OAuth 2.0 with PKCE for local token exchange.

Grant Access: Confirm permissions for the specific App Folder. The app will generate a secure connection directly to the provider.

Step 4 Zero-Knowledge Encryption

Before your first backup, decide if you require End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). If enabled, files are encrypted with AES-256 on your Mac hardware before being sent to the cloud.

Toggle E2EE to "On" and define a robust Master Password.

Record your 24-word Recovery Phrase. This is the only way to recover data if you lose your password.

Finalise setup. Your Mac will now handle all encryption keys locally; CloudChute never sees them.

Step 5 Curating Your Vault

Navigate to the Backup tab and select "Add" to nominate specific directories.

Select "Backup All" to initiate the initial upload sequence.

Use the Scheduler tab to set your preferred backup frequency for automated protection.

Technical Specifications

Architecture	Native Swift. Optimised for Apple Silicon (M1-M4) and Intel.
Security	AES-256 GCM (Local), OAuth 2.0 with PKCE.
Privacy	Zero Telemetry. Direct Mac-to-Cloud data tunneling.
Network	Adjustable concurrency limits and exponential backoff retries.

For more technical details, see our Technical Specifications page.

Why "One-Way"?

CloudChute operates as a true archive, not a sync tool. It replicates your data to the vault, but the vault never alters your local files. This one-way architecture protects your data from accidental deletions or sync conflicts common in standard cloud drives.

Environment Ready

Authorisation: Scoped permissions granted to provider.
Privacy: E2EE configured and Recovery Key secured.
Vault: Folders nominated and initial backup complete.