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Backing Up Your Configuration

Before making changes to a working repeater - or before a firmware update - back up the configuration. This saves your channel keys, LoRa settings, and device role, allowing full recovery if something goes wrong.

Export configuration via CLI

pip install meshtastic # if not already installed
meshtastic --export-config > my_repeater_config.yaml

The --export-config command produces a YAML file (not JSON). This is the canonical, restorable backup format - use it consistently. The exported YAML file contains:

  • Node ID and long/short name
  • LoRa settings (region, modem preset, rebroadcast mode, TX power)
  • Channel names and pre-shared keys (PSKs)
  • Device role
  • Power and display settings

Restore configuration

meshtastic --import-configconfigure my_repeater_config.yaml

Restore with --configure, which is the counterpart to --export-config. There is no --import-config flag in the Meshtastic CLI. Note also that meshtastic --info output is only a human-readable status dump and is not a restorable backup - always use --export-config for backups.

Store backups safely

The configuration file contains your channel PSKs. Store it in a secure location. Do not share it publicly or commit it to a public repository - anyone with the PSK for a private channel can read its messages.

After a firmware update

Firmware updates sometimes reset device settings. Always verify device role, rebroadcast mode, and LoRa region after updating. If settings are lost, restore from your backup YAML file.file with meshtastic --configure my_repeater_config.yaml.

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