> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lovable.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Storage

> Store and manage your app's files in the built-in backend (Cloud): create buckets, upload and organize files, and control public access.

Your app's built-in storage (Cloud) holds the files it works with: profile photos, documents, videos, and other uploads. Describe what files should go where, and Lovable creates the buckets, wires up the upload flows, and controls access. For example, tell Lovable:

```text wrap theme={null}
Add a contract upload field to each deal. Let clients have profile pictures and display them on the client detail page. Upload invoice PDFs and show a download link on the invoices table.
```

The **Storage** view lets you browse and manage those files directly. To open it, go to **Cloud tab → Storage**.

## Buckets

Files are organized into buckets. Each bucket card shows its name, when it was last updated, and whether it is **Private** or **Public**:

* **Private** (the default): files are only accessible by users with the correct permissions, controlled by [row level security policies](/features/database#row-level-security-rls-policies).
* **Public**: files are accessible by anyone with the URL.

<Note>
  **Public storage buckets are blocked by default on all plans.**

  This prevents users from creating publicly accessible storage buckets. Workspace owners and admins on all plans can disable this in [Privacy & security](https://lovable.dev/settings/privacy-security). See [Block public storage buckets](/features/privacy-and-security-settings#block-public-storage-buckets) for details.
</Note>

To create a bucket yourself, click **New bucket**. Bucket names use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only, must be 3 to 63 characters, and cannot be changed after creation.

To delete a bucket, use the delete icon on its card. A bucket must be empty before it can be deleted, and deleting cannot be undone.

## Browse and manage files

Open a bucket to browse its contents as folders and files, with each item's size, type, and last-modified date.

* **Upload**: add one or more files, or drag and drop them into the bucket.
* **Create folder**: folder names allow letters, numbers, dots, hyphens, and underscores.
* **Rename** or **Delete** a file or folder from its row menu. Folders can only be deleted when they are empty, and deleting cannot be undone.
* **Download**: select one or more items and download them. Multiple files download as a zip archive. Files in private buckets are downloaded through temporary signed links.

Click a file to open its details, with a preview for images, video, and audio, its size and timestamps, and a **Copy URL** button. For public buckets this copies a permanent public URL. For private buckets it copies a temporary signed URL that expires after one hour.

## Limits

Files up to **2 GB** are supported.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why can't I make a bucket public?">
    Public buckets are blocked by default on all plans by the workspace setting **Block public storage buckets**. A workspace owner or admin can turn the block off in [Privacy & security](https://lovable.dev/settings/privacy-security). For most apps, keeping buckets private and letting your app serve files through signed URLs is the safer choice.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I share a file from a private bucket?">
    Use **Copy URL** in the file's details to get a temporary signed URL, which expires after one hour. For permanent sharing, ask Lovable to build the sharing flow into your app, or store the file in a public bucket.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does storage stop billing when my Cloud project is paused?">
    No. Storage usage continues while a project is paused because your files stay in place. To stop storage usage entirely, download your files and [remove Lovable Cloud](/features/advanced-settings#remove-lovable-cloud) from the project.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Are storage files included in database exports?">
    No. Database exports cover schema and table data only. Download storage files separately from the Storage view before migrating or removing Cloud.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>