Introducing Azure DevOps Backups by Rewind

Overview

Azure DevOps Backup by Rewind provides robust, automated backups of your Azure DevOps data, ensuring that your projects, repositories, pipelines, and more are safeguarded against data loss.

Key Features

• Automated Backups: Set up automatic backups that run without manual intervention, ensuring your data is protected consistently.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Back up everything from your code repositories to your build and release pipelines.
• Easy Export: Quickly export all of your data, or individual repositories.

Getting Started

Installation

Before you begin

• Rewind connects to Azure DevOps through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). You need a work or school Microsoft account. Personal Microsoft accounts (such as Outlook.com or Hotmail addresses) can't be used to connect Azure DevOps.
• Sign in as someone who is a member of every Azure DevOps organization you want backed up. Rewind backs up the organizations the person who sets up the connection belongs to.
• Depending on your company's Microsoft Entra settings, an admin may need to approve Rewind the first time it's connected.

Connect Azure DevOps to Rewind

1. Log in to Rewind at app.rewind.com.
2. In the left-hand panel, select Add new integration.
3. Find Azure DevOps and select Add Account.
4. On the Microsoft sign-in page, sign in with your work or school account.
5. Review the permissions Rewind requests and select Accept. If Microsoft says admin approval is needed, ask your Microsoft Entra admin to approve Rewind, then start again from step 2.
6. You'll be returned to Rewind and your first backup starts. The connection is shown under your Microsoft organization's name.

Managing Your Backup

Accessing Backed Up Data

• To view items that have been backed up, click on 'View all items' next to the Azure DevOps integration on the home page.

Exports

• If you need to export your data, you can initiate the process by selecting the “Export” within the Azure DevOps vault. You may need to go through a verification process to initiate the export. Additionally, you can export individual repositories by clicking into the repository, selecting the version, and then clicking “export this version”.

Subscription and Billing

• Manage your subscription by clicking the gear icon next to the Azure DevOps integration. Here you can view your subscription details and manage billing options.

Limitations

• Personal Microsoft accounts can't be used to connect Azure DevOps. Microsoft Entra ID doesn't support them for Azure DevOps.
• The connection belongs to the person who set it up. Rewind backs up the organizations they're a member of, so changes to their Azure DevOps memberships change what Rewind backs up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which Azure DevOps organizations does Rewind back up?

Rewind backs up every Azure DevOps organization that the person who set up the connection is a member of. If they're added to a new organization later, Rewind picks it up on the next backup.

Can I choose which organizations Rewind backs up?

Rewind backs up the organizations the account you connect with belongs to, so the way to choose is to pick that account. Many companies use a dedicated service account that belongs only to the organizations they want backed up. A service account also keeps your backups running if the person who set them up leaves.

How do I add another Azure DevOps organization?

Add the account that set up your Rewind connection to that organization in Azure DevOps. Rewind picks it up on the next backup. You don't need to set up a new connection.

Do I need to enable "Third-party application access via OAuth" in Azure DevOps?

No. That policy only applied to the sign-in method Rewind used before Microsoft Entra ID.

I set up Rewind before the switch to Microsoft Entra ID. What do I do?

See How to switch your Azure DevOps connection to Microsoft Entra ID.

What item types does Rewind backup?

Rewind Backups for Azure DevOps provides comprehensive backup and recovery for a wide range of data types. To view the current list of items Rewind Backups for Azure DevOps, please take a look at the following article: What does Rewind Backup and Restore for Azure DevOps?

How often are backups performed?

Backups are automated and capture new changes every 24 hours, ensuring your data is consistently protected without the need for manual intervention.

What is the retention period for the backups?

Rewind maintains a 365-day data retention policy, offering unlimited cloud storage for backups. This allows extensive access to a full year of backup history.

Can I perform on-demand backups?

Yes, Rewind Backups for Azure DevOps allows you to perform on-demand backups with just one click, giving you flexibility and control over when your data is backed up.

What security measures are in place for backups?

Rewind takes data security seriously and is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. The data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using TLS 1.2 and AES-256 encryption standards.

Is there support for Single Sign-On (SSO)?

Rewind supports SAML-based identity providers for Single Sign-On (SSO), including services like Okta, OneLogin, Auth0, and more, enhancing the security and ease of access.

Which Azure DevOps user types does Rewind charge for?

The Azure DevOps license types that will impact your Rewind subscription costs include: 

• Basic 
• Basic + Test Plans 
• Visual Studio Subscriber

Note: Rewind does not charge for stakeholders.