> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.trilio.io/kubernetes/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.trilio.io/kubernetes/concepts/helm-support-1.md).

# Data Browsing

### Data Browsing

Data browsing lets you inspect the contents of an application's backed-up persistent volumes (PVCs) directly from the Trilio management console, without performing a full restore. You can navigate folders, view file metadata, and download selected files or directories.

Target browsing lets you browse backups stored on a target; data browsing goes one step further and mounts the backed-up disk image so you can browse the files inside a PVC.

{% hint style="info" %}
Data browsing for **encrypted backups** requires the correct encryption secret to be selected in the **Browse Data** dialog. See [Encryption](/kubernetes/user-guide/encryption.md) for details.
{% endhint %}

### Prerequisites

* A completed backup with **Available** status that includes application data (PVC) components.
* **Target browsing** enabled on the backup target. Use the browsing toggle on **Backup & Recovery → Targets**, or enable browsing from the **Browse Data** dialog when prompted.
* Wait until the target browser pod is ready before starting data browsing.

### Accessing Data Browsing

You can open **Browse Data** from any backup listing that shows **Available** backups with data components, for example:

* **Monitoring → Backup Overview** — open the **Actions** menu for a backup and select **Browse Data**.
* **Backup & Recovery → Namespaces / Applications** — from backup details or monitoring views.
* **Backup & Recovery → Targets** — expand a backup on a target and select **Browse Data**.

<div><figure><img src="/files/jaFgCn7gY4qNVuLxYK3o" alt=""><figcaption><p>Browse data option</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/uEVSV9U4C5486oYawSw2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Backed up data</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/gDPD0pVeNRieGipgLNCN" alt=""><figcaption><p>Backed up files</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Browse workflow

1. Click **Browse Data** for the selected backup.
2. If target browsing is not enabled, turn on the toggle and wait until browsing is ready.
3. If the backup is encrypted, select the **Encryption Secret** used at backup time.
4. In the **Browse Data** dialog, expand the pod accordion and select the PVC (disk) to browse.
5. Wait while the PVC is mounted. A success notification appears when mounting completes.
6. Navigate folders using breadcrumbs or by clicking directory names.
7. Use the download icon next to a file or folder to download it.

{% hint style="info" %}
At most **five PVC disks** can be mounted for data browsing at the same time on a target. Unmount a disk you are no longer using before mounting another one.
{% endhint %}

### Downloading Files and Folders

From the file browser, click the download icon (↓) next to an item:

<div><figure><img src="/files/vxOXA7cnt9K5VKd27QNt" alt=""><figcaption><p>List view</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/wOkQJvATgqudRlKA1khX" alt=""><figcaption><p>Grid view</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<table><thead><tr><th width="124.64453125">Item type</th><th>Behavior</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Single file</strong></td><td>Downloaded directly. Files larger than <strong>500 MB</strong> cannot be downloaded from the UI.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Folder / directory</strong></td><td>The target browser zips the folder contents before download. Folders whose total size exceeds <strong>500 MB</strong> are rejected by the backend.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Download size limits

Trilio enforces a **hard limit of 500 MB** for downloads initiated from data browsing:

* **Single files:** The management console blocks download when the file size is greater than 500 MB and displays:

> Download of file with size greater than 500mb is currently not allowed

* **Folders:** The UI allows clicking download on any folder, but the target browser calculates the total size of all files in the folder. If the combined size exceeds 500 MB, the download request fails with:

> maximum size limit for download directory is 500 MB

These limits are enforced by the target browser service and are **not configurable** through Helm values or the management console. The limit exists because folder downloads are zipped on the target browser pod, which uses local disk space, CPU, and memory.

### Workarounds for large data

If you need data that exceeds the 500 MB download limit:

* Download **individual files** from inside the folder instead of downloading the entire folder.
* Use a **restore** operation to recover the full volume or application data.
* For **VirtualMachine backups**, use File-Level Recovery for Virtual Machines and retrieve files via SCP from the Recovery VM (no 500 MB UI limit applies to that workflow).