Chrome Recommended: For the best experience with Local Folder and Network Share options, use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Opera. Firefox and Safari users should use Google Drive for storage sync.

Choose Your Storage Option

Select the storage method that best fits your needs. Google Drive is recommended for most users as it works on all browsers and devices.

Feature	Google Drive	Local Folder	Network Share
Browser Support	All browsers	Chrome, Edge, Opera only	Chrome, Edge, Opera only
Recommended For	Most users	Maximum privacy	NAS/server users
Setup Complexity	Easy (OAuth)	Easy (1 click)	Medium (mount first)
Multi-device Sync	Automatic	Manual	Manual
Works Offline	No (needs internet)	Yes	Yes
Mobile Support	Yes (Drive app)	Limited ("Open in App")	Limited ("Open in App")
Persistent Storage Req	No	Yes	Yes

Recommendation: Use Google Drive unless you need offline access or have specific privacy requirements for local-only storage.

Google Drive Setup

Google Drive is the recommended option for most users. It works on all browsers and automatically syncs across devices.

1

Click "Connect Drive"

On the Chat Converter upload page, click the "Connect Drive" button in the navigation bar.

2

Sign in to Google

You'll be redirected to Google's OAuth page. Sign in with your Google account.

3

Grant Permissions

Allow Chat Converter to create and access files it creates in your Google Drive. We only request permission to access the "ChatConverter" folder that our app creates.

4

You're Connected!

Once connected, the "Connect Drive" button will show a checkmark. Your conversion metadata will now be synced automatically.

Privacy Guarantee: We only store metadata (conversation IDs, titles, timestamps). Your actual message content is NEVER uploaded to Google Drive or our servers. All conversion happens in your browser.

What Gets Stored in Google Drive?

After your first conversion, a folder called ChatConverter will be created in your Google Drive root. Inside, you'll find:

metadata.json - List of conversation IDs you've already converted (no message content)
Your ZIP files - The converted output files you requested

That's it! We don't access anything else in your Google Drive.

Local Folder Setup

Use a folder on your computer for maximum privacy. All metadata stays on your device.

Browser Requirement: Local Folder requires the File System Access API. Only Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera browsers are supported. Firefox and Safari users should use Google Drive.

Step 1: Click "Local Folder"

On the upload page, select "Local Folder" as your storage option.

Step 2: Select Folder

A browser dialog will appear asking you to choose a folder. Select or create a folder for Chat Converter metadata.

We recommend creating a dedicated folder like ChatConverter in your Documents.

Step 3: Grant Permission

You'll be asked to grant permission for the website to edit files in this folder. This is required to save conversion metadata.

Step 4: Allow Persistent Storage (if prompted)

Your browser may ask about "persistent storage." Click Allow to prevent metadata from being deleted when the browser clears cached data.

Persistent storage ensures your conversion history is saved permanently.

What is Persistent Storage?

Persistent storage is a browser permission that prevents your selected folder from being disconnected when the browser clears cached data. Without it, you may need to re-select your folder each time you clear browser data.

When prompted, always click "Allow" for persistent storage.

Network Share Setup (NAS/SMB)

Use a network-attached storage (NAS) device or network share. Perfect for Synology, QNAP, or Windows/Linux file servers.

How it works: Network shares work exactly like Local Folder after you mount them to your operating system. The browser sees them as a regular folder.

Step 1: Mount Your Network Share

First, mount your network share using your operating system:

macOS

Finder → Go → Connect to Server
Enter: smb://your-nas-ip/share-name
Click Connect and enter credentials
The share will appear in Finder sidebar

Windows

File Explorer → This PC
Click "Map network drive"
Enter: \\your-nas-ip\share-name
Check "Reconnect at sign-in"
Click Finish

Linux

Install cifs-utils: sudo apt install cifs-utils
Create mount point: sudo mkdir /mnt/nas
Mount: sudo mount -t cifs //nas-ip/share /mnt/nas -o user=username
Add to /etc/fstab for auto-mount

Step 2: Follow Local Folder Steps

Once your network share is mounted, it appears as a regular folder. Follow the Local Folder setup steps above and select a folder on your mounted network share.

NAS-Specific Tips

Synology: Use SMB/CIFS protocol, enable SMB service in Control Panel → File Services
QNAP: Enable Microsoft Networking in Control Panel → Network & File Services → Win/Mac/NFS
Performance: Wired Ethernet connection recommended for faster access
Permissions: Ensure your user account has write access to the share

Mobile Device Considerations

Using Chat Converter on your phone or tablet? Here's what you need to know.

Google Drive Recommended for Mobile: Mobile browsers have limited file system access. Google Drive is the easiest option for phones and tablets.

What is "Open in App"?

When using Local Folder or Network Share on mobile, you may see a prompt to "Open in App." This means:

iOS: Opens Chat Converter in the Safari app (not in-browser tab)
Android: Opens Chat Converter in the Chrome/Edge app
Why: Mobile browsers don't support the File System Access API in regular browser tabs

Mobile Storage Options

Storage Type	iOS Support	Android Support	Recommendation
Google Drive	Full support	Full support	Best choice
Local Folder	Limited (requires "Open in App")	Limited (requires "Open in App")	Not recommended
Network Share	Not supported	Not supported	Use desktop

Bottom line: Use Google Drive for the best mobile experience. If you must use Local Folder on mobile, tap "Open in App" when prompted.

How Incremental Pricing Works

Once connected, Chat Converter tracks which conversations you've already converted and charges you only for new ones.

1

First Upload

347 conversations

All 347 conversations charged

Price: $10.99

Standard tier (101-500 conversations)

All conversations processed. Metadata saved to your storage.

→

2

Second Upload (1 month later)

367 total conversations (20 new)

Only 20 new conversations charged

Price: $2.99

Tiny tier (1-50 new conversations)

90% savings! Only 20 new conversations processed.

What Gets Stored?

When you connect storage, we save a metadata.json file containing:

Conversation IDs (random strings like "a1b2c3d4-5678-90ab-cdef-1234567890ab")
Conversation titles (e.g., "Help with Python code")
Creation timestamps
Format preferences (Notion, Obsidian, etc.)

Never stored: Your actual message content, email address, or personal information.

100% Privacy: All conversion happens locally in your browser. Message content never leaves your device. Only metadata is synchronized for incremental pricing.

Troubleshooting

"Browser not supported" error

Solution: You're using Firefox or Safari. For Local Folder/Network Share, switch to Chrome, Edge, or Opera. Alternatively, use Google Drive which works on all browsers.

Folder permission denied

Solution: When the browser asks for folder permission, make sure you click "View files" or "Allow" (not "Block"). If denied, refresh the page and try again.

Connection lost after clearing browser data

Solution: Enable persistent storage when prompted. If you've already cleared data, you'll need to reconnect your storage. Your metadata.json file is still safe in your folder/Drive.

Google Drive connection failed

Solution: Make sure pop-ups are allowed for chatconverter.ai. Check that you're signed into the correct Google account. Try disconnecting and reconnecting.

Can't find my network share

Solution: Make sure your network share is properly mounted in your operating system first. It should appear in File Explorer (Windows), Finder (Mac), or file manager (Linux) before you can select it in Chat Converter.

Mobile: "Open in App" not working

Solution: Make sure you have the Safari app (iOS) or Chrome app (Android) installed. If issues persist, use Google Drive instead—it's more reliable on mobile.

Browser Compatibility Reference

Complete browser support breakdown for each storage option.

Browser	Google Drive	Local Folder	Network Share	Notes
Chrome	Full support	Full support	Full support	Recommended
Edge	Full support	Full support	Full support	Chromium-based
Opera	Full support	Full support	Full support	Chromium-based
Firefox	Full support	Not supported	Not supported	File System Access API not implemented
Safari	Full support	Limited (read-only)	Limited (read-only)	Partial API support
Mobile (iOS)	Full support	Limited	Not supported	Requires "Open in App"
Mobile (Android)	Full support	Limited	Not supported	Requires "Open in App"

Recommendation summary: Chrome is the best all-around choice. Use Google Drive if you're on Firefox, Safari, or mobile devices.

Related Resources

Backup Strategy Guide Learn why storage sync is valuable for building your Second Brain Storage FAQ Quick answers to common storage sync questions Pricing Details See how much you'll save with incremental pricing How It Works Understand the full conversion process

Storage Sync Setup Guide

Enable incremental pricing and pay only for new conversations on repeat uploads. Save up to 90% with storage sync.