[Feature Request] Import/export settings

[rakleed]

trafficstars

Is your feature request related to a problem?

When you reinstall the application or install it on another device, all settings are reset and you have to restore them manually, which is inconvenient.

Describe the solution you'd like

Ability to import and export settings.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Telegram will automatically save the settings in its cloud and offer to restore the previous settings when reinstalling.

Additional context

[stale[bot]]

Hey there!

This issue was inactive for a long time and will be automatically closed in 30 days if there isn't any further activity. We therefore assume that the user has lost interest or resolved the problem on their own.

Don't worry though; if this is an error, let us know with a comment and we'll be happy to reopen the issue.

Thanks!

[Aokromes]

https://github.com/telegramdesktop/tdesktop/commit/38137e16a0e88eb83598043417b5f22e6e9aaef4

[RememberTheAir]

The commit mentions "experimental settings", are we sure the json file is going to include all the app's settings?

[Aokromes]

hmm good point.

[eNkKVS4HxHc9jaq]

I'm upping this. The ability to export settings and import them across clients would be amazing. Configuring local client settings in each client you install separately becomes very tiresome soon. It is also an error game, since sometimes you end up missing a setting which you needed to apply.

[inoyakaigor]

Today I transferred all my data from old laptop to new one and I've met a problem that I can't transfer setting for Telegram

[yadobler]

Bumping this.

I am assuming that the settings are saved in: $HOME/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/tdata

This is where experimental_options.json is located. I am not sure about the other files, since it's in binary (but they start with magic number TDF). I am tempted to track this folder in my dotfiles but there's bound to be sensitive information and I can't tell which is which.

Any ideas? ./settingss file looks interesting

[natewind]

Even better than a manual export would be just storing all settings (and only settings, no sensitive data) in a JSON file (like the one with experimental ones), so that you could simply replace it with a backup after the install.

Especially for things like NixOS, as well as homemade auto-backup systems.

If it’s gonna be a manual export after all, please add the ability to import via a terminal command so it could be automated.

[uladz-zubrycki]

Hi. Any progress here or perhaps know workarounds?

[Aokromes]

perhaps know workarounds?

copy "settingss" file to new computer?

[uladz-zubrycki]

@Aokromes are you saying that you've tried that and could confirm it works?

[yadobler]

I'm looking at storage_settings_scheme and I am guessing this is what saves storagess?

I am just concern if it holds any secrets. @Aokromes since you're a collaborator could you share insights if this:

1. Holds all relevant settings that can just be copied over
2. Holds no secrets / usernames / cookie details that would be bad to push onto a public repo (ie personal dots repo)

Thanks