Managing your online reading habits involves more than just subscribing to your favorite feeds; it also requires regular backups to prevent data loss. Feedly, a popular RSS aggregator, allows users to export their feeds as an OPML file, making it easy to restore or transfer subscriptions to other apps or devices. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of backing up your Feedly feeds to your PC as an OPML file, ensuring your curated content remains safe and portable.
What You’ll Need
- A Feedly account with active subscriptions
- Access to a web browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.)
- Internet connection
- Basic familiarity with navigating web pages
Step-by-Step
- Log into Your Feedly Account
- Open your preferred web browser and go to feedly.com.
- Click on the “Log In” button located at the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your registered email address and password, then click “Log In” to access your account.
- Navigate to Your Feedly Dashboard
- Once logged in, you will land on your main dashboard where all your subscriptions are listed.
- Ensure all your feeds are visible and up to date.
- Access the Feedly Settings Menu
- Locate your profile icon or avatar at the top right corner of the page.
- Click on it to open a dropdown menu.
- Select “Preferences” or “Settings” from the options available.
- Export Your Feeds as an OPML File
- In the Settings menu, look for the section labeled “Import & Export” or similar.
- Click on the “Export OPML” button. This may sometimes be under a sub-menu named “Backup” or “Download”.
- Your browser will prompt you to save the OPML file. Choose a location on your PC where you’d like to store the backup.
- Rename the file if desired for easier identification, then click “Save”.
- Verify the Download
- Navigate to the folder where you saved the OPML file.
- Ensure the file has a .opml extension and appears complete.
- Securely Store Your Backup
- Consider creating a dedicated folder for your RSS backups.
- Optional: upload the OPML file to a cloud storage service for extra security.
Common Mistakes
- Not clicking the correct “Export” button—ensure you select the option specifically labeled for exporting OPML files.
- Saving the file in an unintended location—always choose a memorable folder on your PC.
- Forgetting to verify the downloaded file—open the OPML file with a text editor to confirm it contains your feed data.
- Attempting to export without being logged in—make sure you are signed into your Feedly account before trying to export.
Tips
- Perform backups regularly, especially after adding or removing feeds.
- Label your backup files with dates for easy version control.
- Use a consistent folder structure for backups to stay organized.
- Consider exporting your feeds before major account changes or updates.
- If you use multiple devices, keep a copy of your backup in a cloud storage service for access anywhere.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues during the export process, here are some common problems and solutions:
- Unable to find the export button: Ensure you are logged into the correct Feedly account and check the latest interface updates, as menu labels may change.
- Download is not starting or file is incomplete: Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or switching to a different browser.
- File saved but contains no feeds: Confirm that you have active subscriptions in your Feedly account before exporting.
- OPML file is corrupted or unreadable: Reattempt the export, ensuring the download completes fully before closing the browser window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export my Feedly feeds to another RSS reader?
Yes, exporting as an OPML file makes it easy to import your subscriptions into other RSS aggregators that support OPML, like Inoreader or The Old Reader.
How often should I back up my Feedly feeds?
It’s recommended to back up your feeds periodically—monthly or after significant changes—to prevent data loss.
Is there a way to automate this backup process?
Feedly’s native interface does not support automation, but you can use third-party tools or scripts that periodically download your OPML file if supported by APIs or through browser automation.
What if I lose my OPML backup? Can I restore my feeds?
If you have your OPML file, you can easily import it into Feedly or another RSS reader to restore your subscriptions. Without it, you’ll need to manually re-add feeds.
Can I export only selected feeds instead of all?
Feedly’s native export feature typically exports all subscriptions at once. To export specific feeds, you might need to manually copy their URLs or use third-party tools for selective exporting.
Does exporting feeds delete my subscriptions?
No, exporting as an OPML file is a read-only process; it does not affect your current subscriptions in Feedly.
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