Slack keeps a local data store — a vault — on your device. Understanding what it holds makes backing up simple: most of it is just a cache of data that already lives safely in the cloud.
It helps to know what lives where. Your account, channels and message history are stored in the cloud against your account and return automatically when you sign in. The local vault holds cached messages and files you have downloaded on that specific device, kept for speed and offline access. Cloud data is safe by default; the only part worth backing up is anything that exists only in the vault, such as a downloaded file you have not saved elsewhere.
Keep a short markdown or text note of the workspaces you belong to and the sign-in method for each. This is the fastest way to restore access on any device.
If you have downloaded files from Slack that are not saved anywhere else, copy them to a safe folder or cloud storage. These are the only items not guaranteed to return from the cloud.
If you want a full copy, find Slack's local data folder in your user profile's app-data area. Fully quit Slack first so the copy is complete.
To free space or fix glitches, clear the cache with Slack closed. Because it is only a cache, your messages return from the cloud on next sign-in.
On a new device or after a reset, just sign in. Slack rebuilds your channels and history from the cloud automatically — no manual restore needed for messages.
The Slack vault is the local data folder Slack keeps on your device for cached messages and downloaded files. It is a copy of cloud data for speed and offline access, not your only copy — your messages and channels live in the cloud against your account.
Usually not, because Slack stores your messages and channels in the cloud and restores them when you sign in. The only thing worth backing up manually is any file you downloaded locally and have not saved elsewhere.
Yes. Clearing the cache with Slack closed is safe and can fix glitches, because the cached messages are rebuilt from the cloud the next time you sign in. Just save any local-only downloaded files first.
Note your workspaces, then reinstall or switch devices with confidence.