Google Workspace Backup: Permanent Limitations

This article explains the permanent backup limitations you may see for Google Workspace in SysCloud. It covers Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Contacts and Google Classroom. For each limitation you'll find what it means and what, if anything, you need to do.

What is a permanent limitation?

A permanent limitation means SysCloud could not back up some of your data in this backup because of a condition in Google Workspace that retrying straight away would not fix, for example the item was deleted or its type is not supported.

• The backup status shows Completed. Everything else in the backup is backed up as normal; only the affected user or item is skipped.
• Each section below says whether you need to do anything, and whether the data is backed up again later.
• A permanent limitation does not remove anything SysCloud has already backed up.

How to use this article

1. In SysCloud, open the backup details and note the message shown for the affected user or item, and its backup status.
2. Find that message in the quick reference table below.
3. Read the matching section for what it means and what to do.

Quick reference

Limitations in detail

1. Google API request unsuccessful

Message shown in SysCloud:

• Classroom - API request unsuccessful
• Drive - API request unsuccessful
• Gmail - API request unsuccessful
• Contacts - API request unsuccessful
• Calendar - API request unsuccessful

Backup status: Completed

What happened

Backup completed, but the affected data could not be backed up because the request to Google was unsuccessful, and SysCloud's automatic retry attempts during this backup were used up.

What you can do

No action is needed. SysCloud attempts to back up the affected data again in the next scheduled backup cycle.

2. Item deleted or no longer available

Message shown in SysCloud:

• Calendar - Item deleted
• Contacts - Item deleted
• Drive - Resource not found
• Gmail - Item deleted
• Item deleted (Google Classroom)

Backup status: Completed

What happened

Backup completed, but the affected item could not be backed up because it is no longer available in Google Workspace. Usually the item was deleted after the backup started, before SysCloud could copy it. For Google Drive, the message reads “Resource not found”, which means Google Drive no longer recognizes the item.

What you can do

No action is needed. The item no longer exists, so there is nothing left to back up. If it is restored later, it is backed up in the next backup like any new item.

3. Google Drive file type not supported

Message shown in SysCloud:

• Drive - Third-party plugin file unsupported
• Drive - File type unsupported

Backup status: Completed

What happened

Backup completed, but the affected Google Drive file could not be backed up because its file type is not supported for backup. This includes files created by third-party plugins or add-ons.

What you can do

No action is needed. These files are skipped in every backup. If a file is important, open it in the app that created it and save or export a copy in a standard format, such as PDF or Microsoft Office. The copy is backed up normally.

Frequently asked questions

Will SysCloud try to back up the data again?

Not while the cause remains. Once the cause is fixed, for example a deleted item is restored or a missing license is assigned, the data is backed up in the next scheduled backup. For an unsuccessful Google API request, SysCloud tries again automatically in the next scheduled backup.

Does this mean my whole backup failed?

No. Only the affected user or item was skipped. Everything else in the backup was backed up as normal.

Is data I backed up earlier affected?

No. A permanent limitation does not remove anything SysCloud has already backed up. Earlier backups remain available in SysCloud.

Need more help?

Contact SysCloud Support and include:

• A screenshot of the message shown in SysCloud, or the exact message text
• The affected user or item
• The Google Workspace app (for example Gmail or Google Drive)
• The date and time of the backup

Related article: Google Workspace Backup: Temporary Limitations