borg-key-import(1)             borg backup tool             borg-key-import(1)

Name
       borg-key-import - Import the repository key from backup

SYNOPSIS
       borg [common options] key import [options] [REPOSITORY] [PATH]

DESCRIPTION
       This command restores a key previously backed up with the export
       command.

       If the --paper option is given, the import will be an interactive
       process in which each line is checked for plausibility before
       proceeding to the next line. For this format, PATH must not be
       provided.

       For repositories using keyfile encryption, the key file which borg key
       import writes to depends on several factors. If the BORG_KEY_FILE
       environment variable is set and non-empty, borg key import creates or
       overwrites the file named by $BORG_KEY_FILE. Otherwise, borg key import
       searches in the $BORG_KEYS_DIR directory for a key file associated with
       the repository. If a key file is found in $BORG_KEYS_DIR, borg key
       import overwrites it; otherwise, borg key import creates a new key file
       in $BORG_KEYS_DIR.

OPTIONS
       See borg-common(1) for common options of Borg commands.

   arguments
       REPOSITORY

       PATH   path to the backup ('-' to read from stdin)

   options

       --paper
              interactively import from a backup done with --paper

EXAMPLES
       This command can be used to create a related repository:

SEE ALSO
       borg-common(1), borg-key-export(1)

Author
       The Borg Collective

                                  2026-07-18                borg-key-import(1)