Reinstalling the extension loses shared storage

[maxpatiiuk]

1. Uninstall extension
2. Install again
3. All configured settings are lost

Happened to me several times as I was re-installing the extension to force chrome to install the latest version.

Pretty sure this is fault (or intended behavior) of the chrome storage API, so I might need to look for workarounds:

• Is data both from sync and local storage affected? if only from one area, then should I sync data between both areas?
• Can I listen for extension uninstall and open a page that contains a link to download the extension data (so that it can be re-imported on the next install)

[maxpatiiuk]

Seems like the local storage data is also removed on uninstall.

There is a way to open a URL on uninstall, however, it is too late as the background script is already removed by that point

Google really needs to improve this as some people are losing valuable data.

Until then, I have a few options:

• add an option to sync data with google drive, github or some other external storage. As far as google drive, need to make sure to implement it better than tampermonkey did, as I had issues with them opening the google sign in page on each chrome start, or failing to sync the data when prompted to. Github would be easier as I am more familiar with it from my work on text-hoarder, but also fewer people would have a github account and the knowledge of how to create a repository (and restore data from it)
• add a warning message in settings that "all extension data is lost on extension uninstall/reinstall, so make sure to back-up your settings using these shiny buttons regularly". Doesn't fit neatly into my UI right now, but I will keep this in mind

Given that this is largely Google's fault, I am reducing the priority on this for now