[[!meta title="Recovering data from the Persistent Storage when Tails doesn't start"]]

If your Tails becomes broken, for example, if it no longer starts, follow these instructions to recover data from your Persistent Storage.

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<p>We recommend you always keep a current backup of your Persistent Storage. To learn
how to create a backup of your Persistent Storage, see our [[instructions on
how to back up your Persistent Storage to another Tails USB
stick|backup]].</p>

Install Tails on a new USB stick onto which you want to recover your Persistent Storage. Make sure that this new USB stick is at least as large as the USB stick that has your broken Tails on it.

When starting Tails, [[set up an administration password|doc/first_steps/welcome_screen/administration_password]].

[[Create a Persistent Storage.|persistent_storage/create]]

Close the Persistent Storage settings after creation, when the list of features is displayed.

The process described below overwrites the contents and configuration of the new Persistent
Storage. So, it does not matter which features you turn on after creating
the Persistent Storage.

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<p>Make sure that all applications are closed before continuing with these
instructions. Otherwise, the Persistent Storage might not be properly
recovered from your broken Tails.</p>

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Choose **Applications**&nbsp;▸ **Accessories**&nbsp;▸ **Files** to open the *Files* browser.

Plug in the USB stick that has your broken Tails on it.

If the Persistent Storage of your broken Tails is recognized,
a new encrypted volume appears in the sidebar of the
*Files* browser. Click on it and enter the
passphrase of your broken Tails to unlock the volume.

The Persistent Storage of your broken Tails shows up as
**TailsData**.

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1. Choose
<span class="menuchoice">
<span class="guimenu">Applications</span>&nbsp;▸
<span class="guisubmenu">System Tools</span>&nbsp;▸
<span class="guimenuitem">Root Terminal</span>
</span>
to open a terminal with administration rights.