Backup user interface

A method of managing backups on a computing device, the method comprising:

• determining that a backup storage device is low on storage capacity;
• identifying N oldest backups, where N is a positive integer greater or equal to one;
• removing items in the N oldest backups from the backup storage device;
• replacing the removed items with sparse file system metadata, wherein the sparse file system metadata comprises an icon and a name for each removed item;
• and
• generating visual representations of the removed items in one or more backup user interfaces using the metadata,
• where the method is performed by one or more hardware processors.

A system for restoring backup data on a computing device, the system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• generating a backup of the computing device at a first time;
• subsequent to generating the backup, displaying a backup user interface on a display of the computing device, the backup user interface including a visual representation of a file system of the computing device according to the first time, the visual representation of the file system including a first icon representing a first item stored within the backup and a second icon representing a second item not stored within the backup;
• receiving, via the backup user interface, a user request to restore the second item from the backup;
• determining, at the computing device, that the second item was previously purchased or downloaded from an online store distinct from the backup;
• and
• retrieving, using the computing device, a copy of the second item from the online store using information related to the purchase or download of the second item.

A system for managing backups on a computing device, the system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• determining that a backup storage device is low on storage capacity;
• identifying N oldest backups, where N is a positive integer greater or equal to one;
• removing items in the N oldest backups from the backup storage device;
• replacing the removed items with sparse file system metadata, wherein the sparse file system metadata comprises an icon and a name for each removed item;
• and
• generating visual representations of the removed items in one or more backup user interfaces using the metadata.