Cannot import an AuraDB backup to local Desktop 2.01 with name neo4j

Feedback & Requests Neo4j 4.0
1

Hello, I have an AuraDB instance (version 2025.06), made backup,
got an neo4j-2025-07-03T09-00-15-....backup file,
tried to import it in local DB (Desktop 2.01). functions well as Database name "neo4j-2025-07-03T09-00-15-.."
But for my application the Database name must be neo4j
Since db name is inferred from the backup name, it cannot be neo4j, no "overwrite possible"?
If I rename the backup file to neo4j.backup, I cannot import, says "already exists"

Please, indicate a parameter or config to overwrite neo4 as in former Desktop commands.

2

AFAIK - You can't do what you want on the community version.

You'll need to go to aura and run the stream command:

CALL apoc.export.cypher.all(null, {format: "cypher-shell", stream: true});

and then copy/paste the outputs.

3

@lupojohn

Was the neo4j database defined in Desktop prior to Import? If so can u run

drop database neo4j;

and then try import and report back upon success/failure?

4

Hello, same problem with Desktop 2.03

if I "drop database neo4j" or "delete neo4j"
(hence only system database present)
then load “neo4j.dump” or “neo4j.backup”
I get:

Error
{
"status": 500,
"data": {
"errors": [
{
"message": "Failed to load database 'neo4j': Multiple archives match:\nC:\Users\....\Downloads\neo4j-2025-02-01T22-36-50.backup\nC:\Users\....\Downloads\neo4j-2025-04-10T21-22-00-da6be019.backup\nC:\Users....\Downloads\neo4j-2025-05-04T10-15-17-da6be019.backup\nC:\Users\....\Downloads\neo4j.dump\nRemove ambiguity by leaving only one of the above, or use --from-stdin option and pipe desired archive.\r\nLoad failed for databases: 'neo4j'\r\nLoad failed for databases: 'neo4j'\r\nRun with '--verbose' for a more detailed error message.\r\n",
"path": [
"loadDb"
]
}
]
},
"sentryId": "55e3d0fc67584eec89d64e93ab4a6dc1"
}

when I create a totally new instance, database neo4j exists
hence when I load “neo4j.dump” i always get
"Database with this name already exists."

how can I import a database with name neo4j? (I want server_user="neo4j" as for my auraDB)
Could I change a database name, if imported differently?
What is the reason not to permit to import a database with name neo4j?

But as a consequence, one can now have
multiple databases in Desktop with different names!!!

5

Hello
there is a workaround to identify the default database name, which cannot be “neo4j” in a new Desktop 2.03 ( simply neo4j.dump doesn’t work!):

See:

then go to chapter:
Change the default database
and follow its indications:
…Run CALL dbms.setDefaultDatabase("newDefaultDatabaseName") against the system database to set the new default database….

You should also have opened neo4j.conf :
seach for “neo4j”, change “neo4j” to “newDefaultDatabaseName” in:
initial.dbms.default_database=newDefaultDatabaseName (drop the initial #”)

this helped my database name problem.