Downgrade from V2 to V1
Restore the original V1 data and safely handle V2 backups, the database, and Agent data.
Downgrading is suitable for cases where V2 is temporarily affecting critical work and you still have usable V1 data. It will not convert V2 data into V1 format.
New sessions, Agents, settings, and files in V2 will not be brought back to V1. V2 backups also cannot be restored to V1; before downgrading, please keep the latest V2 backup and the original V1 backup or a copy of the data directory separately.
Normal downgrade
Download and install V1
Fully exit V2, from Official V1 download Get the installer package that matches your current system and complete the installation.
A normal downgrade does not require deleting the database. Keeping the V2 data can make it easy to return to V2 later and can also help avoid accidentally deleting content that has not been exported yet.
In V2.0.2, [Settings] → [Data] → [Re-migrate] is not a downgrade entry. It will permanently delete the current V2 data and then re-import from the original V1 data; unless the earlier V1 migration failed or missed data, do not click it.
When should the V2 database be handled?
Only handle it in the following cases:
You clearly want to abandon all current V2 data and keep only V1 data;
You need to perform the V1 → V2 migration again.
This is not a normal downgrade step. The operation affects all V2 sessions, Agents, settings, and other data; it is not just clearing a batch of test records.
Safe handling method
Completely exit V1 and V2, and make sure there are no background tasks.
Open V1 1.9.13's [Settings] → [Data] → [App Data] to enter the current app data directory.
Move the following items to the desktop or another safe location; do not delete them directly:
Data/cherrystudio.sqliteData/cherrystudio.sqlite-shmandData/cherrystudio.sqlite-wal(if present)Data/Agents/.claude
Start V1 and check the original V1 data. If you need to migrate again, then start V2 to complete the migration.
Only decide whether to delete the files moved out earlier after confirming that the V1 data is usable and that a V2 backup can also be found.
Do not move the database while the app is running; do not move only cherrystudio.sqlite and leave out the -shm or -wal files in the same directory, and do not replace the V2 database with the V1 database. If you cannot determine the current data directory or the purpose of a file, stop and contact the Cherry Studio support team.
FAQ
Can new conversations in V2 be brought back to V1?
No. Please export the content you want to keep in V2, and continue using only the original V1 data in V1.
Will downloading V1 automatically convert V2 data?
No. The installer only installs the app; it does not convert data or backup formats.
Can I just delete the database and try again?
Not recommended. Move it out and keep it first, then decide whether to delete it after verification; if it is deleted by mistake and there is no usable backup, V2 data may be unrecoverable.
After downgrading and returning to V2 again, which version should I install?
If you want to continue using the previous V2 data, you can install V2.0.2 directly and do not click [Re-migrate]. If the earlier V1 migration failed or missed data, you can use [Settings] → [Data] → [Re-migrate] after making a full backup of the current V2; this operation will permanently delete the current V2 data and then re-import from V1.
References
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