Understand Studio versions, backups, and imports

Keep website layout versions, the account JSON backup, each TV’s layout snapshot, and portable TV backup files separate.

1. 1

   Know which copy you are handling

   “Saved layouts” keeps named copies and the previous website layout when you save. Expand it under Layout: each entry is labeled “Previous website layout” or “Named copy” and shows a timestamp. Choose “Load into editor” for the version you want. If the draft has unsaved changes, confirm the prompt only if you intend to discard them. Loading changes only the draft; manually choose “Save website layout” when ready, then review and apply separately on a TV.

   The account backup on the “Backups” tab is a separate single saved backup. It may contain a TV profile, but its existence or timestamp does not by itself prove that it is the current profile for a particular paired TV.

   Each paired TV can send its active layout snapshot and installed-app list together from Settings → Website Sync & Backup using “SEND THIS TV LAYOUT TO STUDIO”. The standalone “SEND APP LIST” action updates only that TV’s app list; it does not replace the layout snapshot.

   “SEND TV APP BANNERS TO STUDIO” refreshes the app list first, then uploads available banners. The list, banners, and layout snapshot are still distinct data and can show separate update times, even when one TV action updates more than one of them.

   A portable ZIP made or restored by the TV app is not the account backup JSON accepted by Studio. Studio’s “Import a backup” expects TVApplaunchЯ backup JSON with a version and config; do not paste a ZIP or assume one copy updates another.

2. 2

   Save a named version or the account backup

   To save a named editor version, expand “Saved layouts”, enter a name under “Name this draft”, and choose “Save a copy”. This does not change the live website layout, account backup, or TV.

   To write the single account backup, open “Backups” and choose “Save editor as backup”. If a backup already exists, Studio warns that it will be replaced; download a copy first if you may need it.

   Saving the editor as an account backup does not change the live website layout or the TV. It can replace a backup that had previously been sent from the TV.

3. 3

   Download a JSON copy before replacing it

   In “Backups”, choose “Download backup” to download the account backup as a JSON file named tvapplaunchr-backup.json.

   Store the file somewhere private. The backup can include layout and account data; do not publish or share it as a public file.

4. 4

   Import a JSON backup safely

   Open the backup JSON in a text editor and copy its complete contents. In Studio → “Backups” → “Import a backup”, paste the text into “Backup JSON”, then choose “Import backup”.

   Importing replaces the account’s saved backup, not the live website layout or TV. If an existing backup may be important, download it before confirming the replacement.

   After import, choose “Load into editor ↗” in the available-backup notice. Confirm that you want to replace unsaved editor changes, then inspect the draft. Loading still does not write to the live website layout or TV.

   When ready, use the Layout tab’s “Save website layout” action. Then on the intended TV, use “CHECK STUDIO UPDATES” on the currently hosted sideload APK 1.3.28 to retrieve and review the layout, and choose “APPLY TO THIS TV” only if intended. Older installed sideload APK 1.3.27 uses “DOWNLOAD SAVED STUDIO LAYOUT”; the Play edition may differ. The JSON import itself never skips those steps.

5. 5

   Load a specific TV’s layout snapshot

   First select the intended device under “Selected TV”. On that TV, open Settings → Website Sync & Backup and choose “SEND THIS TV LAYOUT TO STUDIO”. This updates both that device’s layout snapshot and installed-app list.

   In Studio’s Layout tab, inspect “Load this TV’s layout backup”, then choose “Load selected TV layout backup”. Confirm the timestamp and TV name before replacing the unsaved draft.

   Review the loaded draft. The layout snapshot and app list are available as separate Studio data and their displayed timestamps can differ; a later standalone “SEND APP LIST” refreshes only the list. The TV layout backup does not transfer TV-local wallpaper and font files. Upload missing assets separately if you want to use them in Studio.

   Loading a TV snapshot affects only the draft. Save the website layout, then review and apply it on a TV only if you explicitly intend to do so.