diff --git a/migrations/20220404211215-backups-rename-id-to-remotePath.js b/migrations/20220404211215-backups-rename-id-to-remotePath.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e909eab8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/20220404211215-backups-rename-id-to-remotePath.js
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+'use strict';
+
+const async = require('async'),
+    uuid = require('uuid');
+
+exports.up = function(db, callback) {
+    db.all('SELECT * from backups', function (error, allBackups) {
+        if (error) return callback(error);
+
+        console.log(`Fixing up ${allBackups.length} backup entries`);
+        const idMap = {};
+        allBackups.forEach(b => { b.remotePath = b.id; b.id = uuid.v4(); idMap[b.remotePath] = b.id; });
+
+        db.runSql('ALTER TABLE backups ADD COLUMN remotePath VARCHAR(256)', function (error) {
+            if (error) return callback(error);
+
+            db.runSql('ALTER TABLE backups CHANGE COLUMN dependsOn dependsOnJson TEXT', function (error) {
+                if (error) return callback(error);
+
+                async.eachSeries(allBackups, function (backup, iteratorDone) {
+                    const dependsOnPaths = backup.dependsOn ? backup.dependsOn.split(',') : []; // previously, it was paths
+                    let dependsOnIds = [];
+                    dependsOnPaths.forEach(p => { if (idMap[p]) dependsOnIds.push(idMap[p]); });
+
+                    db.runSql('UPDATE backups SET id = ?, remotePath = ?, dependsOnJson = ? WHERE id = ?', [ backup.id, backup.remotePath, JSON.stringify(dependsOnIds), backup.remotePath ], iteratorDone);
+                }, function (error) {
+                    if (error) return callback(error);
+
+                    db.runSql('ALTER TABLE backups MODIFY COLUMN remotePath VARCHAR(256) NOT NULL UNIQUE', callback);
+                });
+            });
+        });
+    });
+};
+
+exports.down = function(db, callback) {
+    db.runSql('ALTER TABLE backups DROP COLUMN remotePath', function (error) {
+        if (error) console.error(error);
+
+        db.runSql('ALTER TABLE backups RENAME COLUMN dependsOnJson to dependsOn', function (error) {
+            if (error) return callback(error);
+
+            callback(error);
+        });
+    });
+};
+
diff --git a/migrations/schema.sql b/migrations/schema.sql
index 3b2bbbd3b..6b68ac02f 100644
--- a/migrations/schema.sql
+++ b/migrations/schema.sql
@@ -133,13 +133,14 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS appEnvVars(
 
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS backups(
     id VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL,
+    remotePath VARCHAR(256) NOT NULL UNIQUE,
     label VARCHAR(128) DEFAULT "",
     creationTime TIMESTAMP NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
     packageVersion VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL, /* app version or box version */
     encryptionVersion INTEGER, /* when null, unencrypted backup */
     type VARCHAR(16) NOT NULL, /* 'box' or 'app' */
     identifier VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL, /* 'box' or the app id */
-    dependsOn TEXT, /* comma separate list of objects this backup depends on */
+    dependsOnJson TEXT, /* comma separate list of objects this backup depends on */
     state VARCHAR(16) NOT NULL,
     manifestJson TEXT, /* to validate if the app can be installed in this version of box */
     format VARCHAR(16) DEFAULT "tgz",
diff --git a/src/backupcleaner.js b/src/backupcleaner.js
index 6bba62ed1..583affaaa 100644
--- a/src/backupcleaner.js
+++ b/src/backupcleaner.js
@@ -81,27 +81,27 @@ function applyBackupRetentionPolicy(allBackups, policy, referencedBackupIds) {
     }
 }
 
-async function cleanupBackup(backupConfig, backup, progressCallback) {
+async function removeBackup(backupConfig, backup, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backup, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    const backupFilePath = storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backup.id, backup.format);
+    const backupFilePath = storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backup.remotePath, backup.format);
 
     return new Promise((resolve) => {
         function done(error) {
             if (error) {
-                debug('cleanupBackup: error removing backup %j : %s', backup, error.message);
+                debug('removeBackup: error removing backup %j : %s', backup, error.message);
                 return resolve();
             }
 
             // prune empty directory if possible
             storage.api(backupConfig.provider).remove(backupConfig, path.dirname(backupFilePath), async function (error) {
-                if (error) debug('cleanupBackup: unable to prune backup directory %s : %s', path.dirname(backupFilePath), error.message);
+                if (error) debug('removeBackup: unable to prune backup directory %s : %s', path.dirname(backupFilePath), error.message);
 
                 const [delError] = await safe(backups.del(backup.id));
-                if (delError) debug('cleanupBackup: error removing from database', delError);
-                else debug('cleanupBackup: removed %s', backup.id);
+                if (delError) debug(`removeBackup: error removing ${backup.id} from database`, delError);
+                else debug(`removeBackup: removed ${backup.remotePath}`);
 
                 resolve();
             });
@@ -112,18 +112,18 @@ async function cleanupBackup(backupConfig, backup, progressCallback) {
             storage.api(backupConfig.provider).remove(backupConfig, backupFilePath, done);
         } else {
             const events = storage.api(backupConfig.provider).removeDir(backupConfig, backupFilePath);
-            events.on('progress', (message) => progressCallback({ message: `${backup.id}: ${message}` }));
+            events.on('progress', (message) => progressCallback({ message: `${backup.remotePath}: ${message}` }));
             events.on('done', done);
         }
     });
 }
 
-async function cleanupAppBackups(backupConfig, referencedAppBackupIds, progressCallback) {
+async function cleanupAppBackups(backupConfig, referencedBackupIds, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
-    assert(Array.isArray(referencedAppBackupIds));
+    assert(Array.isArray(referencedBackupIds));
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    let removedAppBackupIds = [];
+    const removedAppBackupPaths = [];
 
     const allApps = await apps.list();
     const allAppIds = allApps.map(a => a.id);
@@ -140,49 +140,49 @@ async function cleanupAppBackups(backupConfig, referencedAppBackupIds, progressC
     // apply backup policy per app. keep latest backup only for existing apps
     let appBackupsToRemove = [];
     for (const appId of Object.keys(appBackupsById)) {
-        applyBackupRetentionPolicy(appBackupsById[appId], _.extend({ keepLatest: allAppIds.includes(appId) }, backupConfig.retentionPolicy), referencedAppBackupIds);
+        applyBackupRetentionPolicy(appBackupsById[appId], _.extend({ keepLatest: allAppIds.includes(appId) }, backupConfig.retentionPolicy), referencedBackupIds);
         appBackupsToRemove = appBackupsToRemove.concat(appBackupsById[appId].filter(b => !b.keepReason));
     }
 
     for (const appBackup of appBackupsToRemove) {
         await progressCallback({ message: `Removing app backup (${appBackup.identifier}): ${appBackup.id}`});
-        removedAppBackupIds.push(appBackup.id);
-        await cleanupBackup(backupConfig, appBackup, progressCallback); // never errors
+        removedAppBackupPaths.push(appBackup.remotePath);
+        await removeBackup(backupConfig, appBackup, progressCallback); // never errors
     }
 
     debug('cleanupAppBackups: done');
 
-    return removedAppBackupIds;
+    return removedAppBackupPaths;
 }
 
-async function cleanupMailBackups(backupConfig, referencedAppBackupIds, progressCallback) {
+async function cleanupMailBackups(backupConfig, referencedBackupIds, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
-    assert(Array.isArray(referencedAppBackupIds));
+    assert(Array.isArray(referencedBackupIds));
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    let removedMailBackupIds = [];
+    const removedMailBackupPaths = [];
 
     const mailBackups = await backups.getByTypePaged(backups.BACKUP_TYPE_MAIL, 1, 1000);
 
-    applyBackupRetentionPolicy(mailBackups, _.extend({ keepLatest: true }, backupConfig.retentionPolicy), referencedAppBackupIds);
+    applyBackupRetentionPolicy(mailBackups, _.extend({ keepLatest: true }, backupConfig.retentionPolicy), referencedBackupIds);
 
     for (const mailBackup of mailBackups) {
         if (mailBackup.keepReason) continue;
-        await progressCallback({ message: `Removing mail backup ${mailBackup.id}`});
-        removedMailBackupIds.push(mailBackup.id);
-        await cleanupBackup(backupConfig, mailBackup, progressCallback); // never errors
+        await progressCallback({ message: `Removing mail backup ${mailBackup.remotePath}`});
+        removedMailBackupPaths.push(mailBackup.remotePath);
+        await removeBackup(backupConfig, mailBackup, progressCallback); // never errors
     }
 
     debug('cleanupMailBackups: done');
 
-    return removedMailBackupIds;
+    return removedMailBackupPaths;
 }
 
 async function cleanupBoxBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    let referencedAppBackupIds = [], removedBoxBackupIds = [];
+    let referencedBackupIds = [], removedBoxBackupPaths = [];
 
     const boxBackups = await backups.getByTypePaged(backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX, 1, 1000);
 
@@ -190,48 +190,49 @@ async function cleanupBoxBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
 
     for (const boxBackup of boxBackups) {
         if (boxBackup.keepReason) {
-            referencedAppBackupIds = referencedAppBackupIds.concat(boxBackup.dependsOn);
+            referencedBackupIds = referencedBackupIds.concat(boxBackup.dependsOn);
             continue;
         }
 
-        await progressCallback({ message: `Removing box backup ${boxBackup.id}`});
+        await progressCallback({ message: `Removing box backup ${boxBackup.remotePath}`});
 
-        removedBoxBackupIds.push(boxBackup.id);
-        await cleanupBackup(backupConfig, boxBackup, progressCallback);
+        removedBoxBackupPaths.push(boxBackup.remotePath);
+        await removeBackup(backupConfig, boxBackup, progressCallback);
     }
 
     debug('cleanupBoxBackups: done');
 
-    return { removedBoxBackupIds, referencedAppBackupIds };
+    return { removedBoxBackupPaths, referencedBackupIds };
 }
 
+// cleans up the database by checking if backup existsing in the remote
 async function cleanupMissingBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
     const perPage = 1000;
-    let missingBackupIds = [];
+    let missingBackupPaths = [];
     const backupExists = util.promisify(storage.api(backupConfig.provider).exists);
 
-    if (constants.TEST) return missingBackupIds;
+    if (constants.TEST) return missingBackupPaths;
 
     let page = 1, result = [];
     do {
         result = await backups.list(page, perPage);
 
         for (const backup of result) {
-            let backupFilePath = storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backup.id, backup.format);
+            let backupFilePath = storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backup.remotePath, backup.format);
             if (backup.format === 'rsync') backupFilePath = backupFilePath + '/'; // add trailing slash to indicate directory
 
             const [existsError, exists] = await safe(backupExists(backupConfig, backupFilePath));
             if (existsError || exists) continue;
 
-            await progressCallback({ message: `Removing missing backup ${backup.id}`});
+            await progressCallback({ message: `Removing missing backup ${backup.remotePath}`});
 
             const [delError] = await safe(backups.del(backup.id));
-            if (delError) debug(`cleanupBackup: error removing ${backup.id} from database`, delError);
+            if (delError) debug(`cleanupMissingBackups: error removing ${backup.id} from database`, delError);
 
-            missingBackupIds.push(backup.id);
+            missingBackupPaths.push(backup.remotePath);
         }
 
         ++ page;
@@ -239,7 +240,7 @@ async function cleanupMissingBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
 
     debug('cleanupMissingBackups: done');
 
-    return missingBackupIds;
+    return missingBackupPaths;
 }
 
 // removes the snapshots of apps that have been uninstalled
@@ -298,19 +299,19 @@ async function run(progressCallback) {
     }
 
     await progressCallback({ percent: 10, message: 'Cleaning box backups' });
-    const { removedBoxBackupIds, referencedAppBackupIds } = await cleanupBoxBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback);
+    const { removedBoxBackupPaths, referencedBackupIds } = await cleanupBoxBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback); // references is app or mail backup ids
 
     await progressCallback({ percent: 20, message: 'Cleaning mail backups' });
-    const removedMailBackupIds = await cleanupMailBackups(backupConfig, referencedAppBackupIds, progressCallback);
+    const removedMailBackupPaths = await cleanupMailBackups(backupConfig, referencedBackupIds, progressCallback);
 
     await progressCallback({ percent: 40, message: 'Cleaning app backups' });
-    const removedAppBackupIds = await cleanupAppBackups(backupConfig, referencedAppBackupIds, progressCallback);
+    const removedAppBackupPaths = await cleanupAppBackups(backupConfig, referencedBackupIds, progressCallback);
 
     await progressCallback({ percent: 70, message: 'Cleaning missing backups' });
-    const missingBackupIds = await cleanupMissingBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback);
+    const missingBackupPaths = await cleanupMissingBackups(backupConfig, progressCallback);
 
     await progressCallback({ percent: 90, message: 'Cleaning snapshots' });
     await cleanupSnapshots(backupConfig);
 
-    return { removedBoxBackupIds, removedMailBackupIds, removedAppBackupIds, missingBackupIds };
+    return { removedBoxBackupPaths, removedMailBackupPaths, removedAppBackupPaths, missingBackupPaths };
 }
diff --git a/src/backups.js b/src/backups.js
index 639bd7da5..86811e09e 100644
--- a/src/backups.js
+++ b/src/backups.js
@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ const assert = require('assert'),
     settings = require('./settings.js'),
     storage = require('./storage.js'),
     tasks = require('./tasks.js'),
-    util = require('util');
+    util = require('util'),
+    uuid = require('uuid');
 
 const COLLECTD_CONFIG_EJS = fs.readFileSync(__dirname + '/collectd/cloudron-backup.ejs', { encoding: 'utf8' });
 
-const BACKUPS_FIELDS = [ 'id', 'label', 'identifier', 'creationTime', 'packageVersion', 'type', 'dependsOn', 'state', 'manifestJson', 'format', 'preserveSecs', 'encryptionVersion' ];
+const BACKUPS_FIELDS = [ 'id', 'remotePath', 'label', 'identifier', 'creationTime', 'packageVersion', 'type', 'dependsOnJson', 'state', 'manifestJson', 'format', 'preserveSecs', 'encryptionVersion' ];
 
 // helper until all storage providers have been ported
 function maybePromisify(func) {
@@ -74,7 +75,8 @@ function maybePromisify(func) {
 function postProcess(result) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof result, 'object');
 
-    result.dependsOn = result.dependsOn ? result.dependsOn.split(',') : [ ];
+    result.dependsOn = result.dependsOnJson ? safe.JSON.parse(result.dependsOnJson) : [];
+    delete result.dependsOnJson;
 
     result.manifest = result.manifestJson ? safe.JSON.parse(result.manifestJson) : null;
     delete result.manifestJson;
@@ -116,9 +118,9 @@ function generateEncryptionKeysSync(password) {
     };
 }
 
-async function add(id, data) {
+async function add(data) {
     assert(data && typeof data === 'object');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof id, 'string');
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof data.remotePath, 'string');
     assert(data.encryptionVersion === null || typeof data.encryptionVersion === 'number');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof data.packageVersion, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof data.type, 'string');
@@ -130,12 +132,15 @@ async function add(id, data) {
 
     const creationTime = data.creationTime || new Date(); // allow tests to set the time
     const manifestJson = JSON.stringify(data.manifest);
+    const id = 'bid-' + uuid.v4();
 
-    const [error] = await safe(database.query('INSERT INTO backups (id, identifier, encryptionVersion, packageVersion, type, creationTime, state, dependsOn, manifestJson, format) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)',
-        [ id, data.identifier, data.encryptionVersion, data.packageVersion, data.type, creationTime, data.state, data.dependsOn.join(','), manifestJson, data.format ]));
+    const [error] = await safe(database.query('INSERT INTO backups (id, remotePath, identifier, encryptionVersion, packageVersion, type, creationTime, state, dependsOnJson, manifestJson, format) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)',
+        [ id, data.remotePath, data.identifier, data.encryptionVersion, data.packageVersion, data.type, creationTime, data.state, JSON.stringify(data.dependsOn), manifestJson, data.format ]));
 
     if (error && error.code === 'ER_DUP_ENTRY') throw new BoxError(BoxError.ALREADY_EXISTS, 'Backup already exists');
     if (error) throw error;
+
+    return id;
 }
 
 async function getByIdentifierAndStatePaged(identifier, state, page, perPage) {
@@ -285,14 +290,14 @@ async function startCleanupTask(auditSource) {
 
     const taskId = await tasks.add(tasks.TASK_CLEAN_BACKUPS, []);
 
-    tasks.startTask(taskId, {}, async (error, result) => { // result is { removedBoxBackupIds, removedAppBackupIds, removedMailBackupIds, missingBackupIds }
+    tasks.startTask(taskId, {}, async (error, result) => { // result is { removedBoxBackupPaths, removedAppBackupPaths, removedMailBackupPaths, missingBackupPaths }
         await safe(eventlog.add(eventlog.ACTION_BACKUP_CLEANUP_FINISH, auditSource, {
             taskId,
             errorMessage: error ? error.message : null,
-            removedBoxBackupIds: result ? result.removedBoxBackupIds : [],
-            removedMailBackupIds: result ? result.removedMailBackupIds : [],
-            removedAppBackupIds: result ? result.removedAppBackupIds : [],
-            missingBackupIds: result ? result.missingBackupIds : []
+            removedBoxBackupPaths: result ? result.removedBoxBackupPaths : [],
+            removedMailBackupPaths: result ? result.removedMailBackupPaths : [],
+            removedAppBackupPaths: result ? result.removedAppBackupPaths : [],
+            missingBackupPaths: result ? result.missingBackupPaths : []
         }), { debug });
     });
 
diff --git a/src/backuptask.js b/src/backuptask.js
index 3434ac3fa..cd1fffb12 100644
--- a/src/backuptask.js
+++ b/src/backuptask.js
@@ -315,9 +315,9 @@ function tarPack(dataLayout, encryption, callback) {
     return callback(null, ps);
 }
 
-function sync(backupConfig, backupId, dataLayout, progressCallback, callback) {
+function sync(backupConfig, remotePath, dataLayout, progressCallback, callback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof backupId, 'string');
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof remotePath, 'string');
     assert(dataLayout instanceof DataLayout, 'dataLayout must be a DataLayout');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof callback, 'function');
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ function sync(backupConfig, backupId, dataLayout, progressCallback, callback) {
         debug('sync: processing task: %j', task);
         // the empty task.path is special to signify the directory
         const destPath = task.path && backupConfig.encryption ? encryptFilePath(task.path, backupConfig.encryption) : task.path;
-        const backupFilePath = path.join(storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backupId, backupConfig.format), destPath);
+        const backupFilePath = path.join(storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, remotePath, backupConfig.format), destPath);
 
         if (task.operation === 'removedir') {
             debug(`Removing directory ${backupFilePath}`);
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ function sync(backupConfig, backupId, dataLayout, progressCallback, callback) {
             return storage.api(backupConfig.provider).remove(backupConfig, backupFilePath, iteratorCallback);
         }
 
-        var retryCount = 0;
+        let retryCount = 0;
         async.retry({ times: 5, interval: 20000 }, function (retryCallback) {
             retryCallback = once(retryCallback); // protect again upload() erroring much later after read stream error
 
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ async function saveFsMetadata(dataLayout, metadataFile) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof metadataFile, 'string');
 
     // contains paths prefixed with './'
-    let metadata = {
+    const metadata = {
         emptyDirs: [],
         execFiles: [],
         symlinks: []
@@ -407,14 +407,14 @@ async function saveFsMetadata(dataLayout, metadataFile) {
 }
 
 // this function is called via backupupload (since it needs root to traverse app's directory)
-function upload(backupId, format, dataLayoutString, progressCallback, callback) {
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof backupId, 'string');
+function upload(remotePath, format, dataLayoutString, progressCallback, callback) {
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof remotePath, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof format, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof dataLayoutString, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof callback, 'function');
 
-    debug(`upload: id ${backupId} format ${format} dataLayout ${dataLayoutString}`);
+    debug(`upload: path ${remotePath} format ${format} dataLayout ${dataLayoutString}`);
 
     const dataLayout = DataLayout.fromString(dataLayoutString);
 
@@ -438,13 +438,13 @@ function upload(backupId, format, dataLayoutString, progressCallback, callback)
                         });
                         tarStream.on('error', retryCallback); // already returns BoxError
 
-                        storage.api(backupConfig.provider).upload(backupConfig, storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backupId, format), tarStream, retryCallback);
+                        storage.api(backupConfig.provider).upload(backupConfig, storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, remotePath, format), tarStream, retryCallback);
                     });
                 }, callback);
             } else {
                 async.series([
                     saveFsMetadata.bind(null, dataLayout, `${dataLayout.localRoot()}/fsmetadata.json`),
-                    sync.bind(null, backupConfig, backupId, dataLayout, progressCallback)
+                    sync.bind(null, backupConfig, remotePath, dataLayout, progressCallback)
                 ], callback);
             }
         });
@@ -686,8 +686,8 @@ function runBackupUpload(uploadConfig, progressCallback, callback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof callback, 'function');
 
-    const { backupId, backupConfig, dataLayout, progressTag } = uploadConfig;
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof backupId, 'string');
+    const { remotePath, backupConfig, dataLayout, progressTag } = uploadConfig;
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof remotePath, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressTag, 'string');
     assert(dataLayout instanceof DataLayout, 'dataLayout must be a DataLayout');
@@ -702,7 +702,7 @@ function runBackupUpload(uploadConfig, progressCallback, callback) {
         envCopy.NODE_OPTIONS = `--max-old-space-size=${heapSize}`;
     }
 
-    shell.sudo(`backup-${backupId}`, [ BACKUP_UPLOAD_CMD, backupId, backupConfig.format, dataLayout.toString() ], { env: envCopy, preserveEnv: true, ipc: true }, function (error) {
+    shell.sudo(`backup-${remotePath}`, [ BACKUP_UPLOAD_CMD, remotePath, backupConfig.format, dataLayout.toString() ], { env: envCopy, preserveEnv: true, ipc: true }, function (error) {
         if (error && (error.code === null /* signal */ || (error.code !== 0 && error.code !== 50))) { // backuptask crashed
             return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.INTERNAL_ERROR, 'Backuptask crashed'));
         } else if (error && error.code === 50) { // exited with error
@@ -738,7 +738,7 @@ async function uploadBoxSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
     if (!boxDataDir) throw new BoxError(BoxError.FS_ERROR, `Error resolving boxdata: ${safe.error.message}`);
 
     const uploadConfig = {
-        backupId: 'snapshot/box',
+        remotePath: 'snapshot/box',
         backupConfig,
         dataLayout: new DataLayout(boxDataDir, []),
         progressTag: 'box'
@@ -755,29 +755,22 @@ async function uploadBoxSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
     await backups.setSnapshotInfo('box', { timestamp: new Date().toISOString(), format: backupConfig.format });
 }
 
-async function copy(backupConfig, sourceBackupId, destBackupId, options, progressCallback) {
+async function copy(backupConfig, srcRemotePath, destRemotePath, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof sourceBackupId, 'string');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof destBackupId, 'string');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof options, 'object');
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof srcRemotePath, 'string');
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof destRemotePath, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    const format = backupConfig.format;
+    const { provider, format } = backupConfig;
 
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
         const startTime = new Date();
 
-        const copyEvents = storage.api(backupConfig.provider).copy(backupConfig, storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, sourceBackupId, format), storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, destBackupId, format));
+        const copyEvents = storage.api(provider).copy(backupConfig, storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, srcRemotePath, format), storage.getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, destRemotePath, format));
         copyEvents.on('progress', (message) => progressCallback({ message }));
-        copyEvents.on('done', async function (copyBackupError) {
-            const state = copyBackupError ? backups.BACKUP_STATE_ERROR : backups.BACKUP_STATE_NORMAL;
-
-            const [error] = await safe(backups.update(destBackupId, { preserveSecs: options.preserveSecs || 0, state }));
-            if (copyBackupError) return reject(copyBackupError);
+        copyEvents.on('done', function (error) {
             if (error) return reject(error);
-
-            debug(`copy: copied successfully to id ${destBackupId}. Took ${(new Date() - startTime)/1000} seconds`);
-
+            debug(`copy: copied successfully to ${destRemotePath}. Took ${(new Date() - startTime)/1000} seconds`);
             resolve();
         });
     });
@@ -790,12 +783,13 @@ async function rotateBoxBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, dependsOn, progressCa
     assert(Array.isArray(dependsOn));
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    const backupId = `${tag}/box_v${constants.VERSION}`;
+    const remotePath = `${tag}/box_v${constants.VERSION}`;
     const format = backupConfig.format;
 
-    debug(`rotateBoxBackup: rotating to id ${backupId}`);
+    debug(`rotateBoxBackup: rotating to id ${remotePath}`);
 
     const data = {
+        remotePath,
         encryptionVersion: backupConfig.encryption ? 2 : null,
         packageVersion: constants.VERSION,
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX,
@@ -806,9 +800,13 @@ async function rotateBoxBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, dependsOn, progressCa
         format
     };
 
-    await backups.add(backupId, data);
-    await copy(backupConfig, 'snapshot/box', backupId, options, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    const id = await backups.add(data);
+    const [copyBackupError] = await safe(copy(backupConfig, 'snapshot/box', remotePath, progressCallback));
+    const state = copyBackupError ? backups.BACKUP_STATE_ERROR : backups.BACKUP_STATE_NORMAL;
+    await backups.update(id, { preserveSecs: options.preserveSecs || 0, state });
+    if (copyBackupError) throw copyBackupError;
+
+    return id;
 }
 
 async function backupBox(dependsOn, tag, options, progressCallback) {
@@ -820,9 +818,7 @@ async function backupBox(dependsOn, tag, options, progressCallback) {
     const backupConfig = await settings.getBackupConfig();
 
     await uploadBoxSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback);
-
-    const backupId = await rotateBoxBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, dependsOn, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    return await rotateBoxBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, dependsOn, progressCallback);
 }
 
 async function rotateAppBackup(backupConfig, app, tag, options, progressCallback) {
@@ -835,12 +831,13 @@ async function rotateAppBackup(backupConfig, app, tag, options, progressCallback
     const snapshotInfo = backups.getSnapshotInfo(app.id);
 
     const manifest = snapshotInfo.restoreConfig ? snapshotInfo.restoreConfig.manifest : snapshotInfo.manifest; // compat
-    const backupId = `${tag}/app_${app.fqdn}_v${manifest.version}`;
+    const remotePath = `${tag}/app_${app.fqdn}_v${manifest.version}`;
     const format = backupConfig.format;
 
-    debug(`rotateAppBackup: rotating ${app.fqdn} to id ${backupId}`);
+    debug(`rotateAppBackup: rotating ${app.fqdn} to path ${remotePath}`);
 
     const data = {
+        remotePath,
         encryptionVersion: backupConfig.encryption ? 2 : null,
         packageVersion: manifest.version,
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_APP,
@@ -851,9 +848,13 @@ async function rotateAppBackup(backupConfig, app, tag, options, progressCallback
         format: format
     };
 
-    await backups.add(backupId, data);
-    await copy(backupConfig,  `snapshot/app_${app.id}`, backupId, options, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    const id = await backups.add(data);
+    const copyBackupError = await safe(copy(backupConfig,  `snapshot/app_${app.id}`, remotePath, progressCallback));
+    const state = copyBackupError ? backups.BACKUP_STATE_ERROR : backups.BACKUP_STATE_NORMAL;
+    await backups.update(id, { preserveSecs: options.preserveSecs || 0, state });
+    if (copyBackupError) throw copyBackupError;
+
+    return id;
 }
 
 async function backupApp(app, options, progressCallback) {
@@ -890,7 +891,7 @@ async function uploadAppSnapshot(backupConfig, app, progressCallback) {
 
     await snapshotApp(app, progressCallback);
 
-    const backupId = util.format('snapshot/app_%s', app.id);
+    const remotePath = util.format('snapshot/app_%s', app.id);
     const appDataDir = safe.fs.realpathSync(path.join(paths.APPS_DATA_DIR, app.id));
     if (!appDataDir) throw new BoxError(BoxError.FS_ERROR, `Error resolving appsdata: ${safe.error.message}`);
 
@@ -899,7 +900,7 @@ async function uploadAppSnapshot(backupConfig, app, progressCallback) {
     progressCallback({ message: `Uploading app snapshot ${app.fqdn}`});
 
     const uploadConfig = {
-        backupId,
+        remotePath,
         backupConfig,
         dataLayout,
         progressTag: app.fqdn
@@ -909,7 +910,7 @@ async function uploadAppSnapshot(backupConfig, app, progressCallback) {
 
     await util.promisify(runBackupUpload)(uploadConfig, progressCallback);
 
-    debug(`uploadAppSnapshot: ${app.fqdn} upload with id ${backupId}. ${(new Date() - startTime)/1000} seconds`);
+    debug(`uploadAppSnapshot: ${app.fqdn} upload to ${remotePath}. ${(new Date() - startTime)/1000} seconds`);
 
     await backups.setSnapshotInfo(app.id, { timestamp: new Date().toISOString(), manifest: app.manifest, format: backupConfig.format });
 }
@@ -930,8 +931,7 @@ async function backupAppWithTag(app, tag, options, progressCallback) {
     const backupConfig = await settings.getBackupConfig();
 
     await uploadAppSnapshot(backupConfig, app, progressCallback);
-    const backupId = await rotateAppBackup(backupConfig, app, tag, options, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    return await rotateAppBackup(backupConfig, app, tag, options, progressCallback);
 }
 
 async function uploadMailSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
@@ -942,7 +942,7 @@ async function uploadMailSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback) {
     if (!mailDataDir) throw new BoxError(BoxError.FS_ERROR, `Error resolving maildata: ${safe.error.message}`);
 
     const uploadConfig = {
-        backupId: 'snapshot/mail',
+        remotePath: 'snapshot/mail',
         backupConfig,
         dataLayout: new DataLayout(mailDataDir, []),
         progressTag: 'mail'
@@ -965,12 +965,13 @@ async function rotateMailBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof options, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    const backupId = `${tag}/mail_v${constants.VERSION}`;
+    const remotePath = `${tag}/mail_v${constants.VERSION}`;
     const format = backupConfig.format;
 
-    debug(`rotateMailBackup: rotating to id ${backupId}`);
+    debug(`rotateMailBackup: rotating to ${remotePath}`);
 
     const data = {
+        remotePath,
         encryptionVersion: backupConfig.encryption ? 2 : null,
         packageVersion: constants.VERSION,
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_MAIL,
@@ -981,9 +982,13 @@ async function rotateMailBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, progressCallback) {
         format: format
     };
 
-    await backups.add(backupId, data);
-    await copy(backupConfig, 'snapshot/mail', backupId, options, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    const id = await backups.add(data);
+    const [copyBackupError] = await safe(copy(backupConfig, 'snapshot/mail', remotePath, progressCallback));
+    const state = copyBackupError ? backups.BACKUP_STATE_ERROR : backups.BACKUP_STATE_NORMAL;
+    await backups.update(id, { preserveSecs: options.preserveSecs || 0, state });
+    if (copyBackupError) throw copyBackupError;
+
+    return id;
 }
 
 async function backupMailWithTag(tag, options, progressCallback) {
@@ -995,8 +1000,7 @@ async function backupMailWithTag(tag, options, progressCallback) {
 
     const backupConfig = await settings.getBackupConfig();
     await uploadMailSnapshot(backupConfig, progressCallback);
-    const backupId = await rotateMailBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, progressCallback);
-    return backupId;
+    return await rotateMailBackup(backupConfig, tag, options, progressCallback);
 }
 
 async function backupMail(options, progressCallback) {
@@ -1028,7 +1032,7 @@ async function fullBackup(options, progressCallback) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof options, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof progressCallback, 'function');
 
-    const tag = (new Date()).toISOString().replace(/[T.]/g, '-').replace(/[:Z]/g,'');
+    const tag = (new Date()).toISOString().replace(/[T.]/g, '-').replace(/[:Z]/g,''); // unique tag under which all apps/mail/box backs up
 
     const allApps = await apps.list();
 
@@ -1047,19 +1051,19 @@ async function fullBackup(options, progressCallback) {
         }
 
         const startTime = new Date();
-        const appBackupId = await backupAppWithTag(app, tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent: percent, message: progress.message }));
+        const appBackupId = await backupAppWithTag(app, tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent, message: progress.message }));
         debug(`fullBackup: app ${app.fqdn} backup finished. Took ${(new Date() - startTime)/1000} seconds`);
         if (appBackupId) appBackupIds.push(appBackupId); // backupId can be null if in BAD_STATE and never backed up
     }
 
-    progressCallback({ percent: percent, message: 'Backing up mail' });
+    progressCallback({ percent, message: 'Backing up mail' });
     percent += step;
-    const mailBackupId = await backupMailWithTag(tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent: percent, message: progress.message }));
+    const mailBackupId = await backupMailWithTag(tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent, message: progress.message }));
 
-    progressCallback({ percent: percent, message: 'Backing up system data' });
+    progressCallback({ percent, message: 'Backing up system data' });
     percent += step;
 
     const dependsOn = appBackupIds.concat(mailBackupId);
-    const backupId = await backupBox(dependsOn, tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent: percent, message: progress.message }));
+    const backupId = await backupBox(dependsOn, tag, options, (progress) => progressCallback({ percent, message: progress.message }));
     return backupId;
 }
diff --git a/src/routes/test/backups-test.js b/src/routes/test/backups-test.js
index d95173f5e..34e6a5d1d 100644
--- a/src/routes/test/backups-test.js
+++ b/src/routes/test/backups-test.js
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ describe('Backups API', function () {
             const response = await superagent.post(`${serverUrl}/api/v1/backups/${someBackup.id}`)
                 .query({ access_token: owner.token })
                 .send({ preserveSecs: 30, label: 'NewOrleans' });
-            expect(response.statusCode).to.equal(400);
+            expect(response.statusCode).to.equal(200);
         });
     });
 });
diff --git a/src/scripts/backupupload.js b/src/scripts/backupupload.js
index b0b9b8a01..943dfaefd 100755
--- a/src/scripts/backupupload.js
+++ b/src/scripts/backupupload.js
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@
 
 'use strict';
 
-if (process.argv[2] === '--check') return console.log('OK');
+if (process.argv[2] === '--check') {
+    console.log('OK');
+    process.exit(0);
+}
 
 const assert = require('assert'),
     async = require('async'),
@@ -22,11 +25,11 @@ function initialize(callback) {
 }
 
 // Main process starts here
-const backupId = process.argv[2];
+const remotePath = process.argv[2];
 const format = process.argv[3];
 const dataLayoutString = process.argv[4];
 
-debug(`Backing up ${dataLayoutString} to ${backupId}`);
+debug(`Backing up ${dataLayoutString} to ${remotePath}`);
 
 process.on('SIGTERM', function () {
     process.exit(0);
@@ -73,7 +76,7 @@ initialize(function (error) {
     dumpMemoryInfo();
     const timerId = setInterval(dumpMemoryInfo, 30000);
 
-    backuptask.upload(backupId, format, dataLayoutString, throttledProgressCallback(5000), function resultHandler(error) {
+    backuptask.upload(remotePath, format, dataLayoutString, throttledProgressCallback(5000), function resultHandler(error) {
         debug('upload completed. error: ', error);
 
         process.send({ result: error ? error.message : '' });
diff --git a/src/storage.js b/src/storage.js
index 72c9b3b35..b2a2ebbf7 100644
--- a/src/storage.js
+++ b/src/storage.js
@@ -38,17 +38,17 @@ function api(provider) {
 }
 
 // This is not part of the storage api, since we don't want to pull the "format" logistics into that
-function getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, backupId, format) {
+function getBackupFilePath(backupConfig, remotePath, format) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof backupConfig, 'object');
-    assert.strictEqual(typeof backupId, 'string');
+    assert.strictEqual(typeof remotePath, 'string');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof format, 'string');
 
-    const basePath = api(backupConfig.provider).getBasePath(backupConfig);
+    const rootPath = api(backupConfig.provider).getRootPath(backupConfig);
 
     if (format === 'tgz') {
         const fileType = backupConfig.encryption ? '.tar.gz.enc' : '.tar.gz';
-        return path.join(basePath, backupId+fileType);
+        return path.join(rootPath, remotePath + fileType);
     } else {
-        return path.join(basePath, backupId);
+        return path.join(rootPath, remotePath);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/storage/filesystem.js b/src/storage/filesystem.js
index e685c9f01..637dce44d 100644
--- a/src/storage/filesystem.js
+++ b/src/storage/filesystem.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 exports = module.exports = {
-    getBasePath,
+    getRootPath,
     checkPreconditions,
 
     upload,
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ const assert = require('assert'),
     shell = require('../shell.js');
 
 // storage api
-function getBasePath(apiConfig) {
+function getRootPath(apiConfig) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof apiConfig, 'object');
 
     switch (apiConfig.provider) {
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ async function checkPreconditions(apiConfig, dataLayout, callback) {
 
     debug(`checkPreconditions: ${used} bytes`);
 
-    const [error, result] = await safe(df.file(getBasePath(apiConfig)));
+    const [error, result] = await safe(df.file(getRootPath(apiConfig)));
     if (error) return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.FS_ERROR, `Error when checking for disk space: ${error.message}`));
 
     // Check filesystem is mounted so we don't write into the actual folder on disk
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ function testConfig(apiConfig, callback) {
         if (!safe.child_process.execSync(`mountpoint -q -- ${apiConfig.mountPoint}`)) return callback(new BoxError(BoxError.BAD_FIELD, `${apiConfig.mountPoint} is not mounted`));
     }
 
-    const basePath = getBasePath(apiConfig);
+    const basePath = getRootPath(apiConfig);
     const field = apiConfig.provider === PROVIDER_FILESYSTEM ? 'backupFolder' : 'mountPoint';
 
     if (!safe.fs.mkdirSync(path.join(basePath, 'snapshot'), { recursive: true }) && safe.error.code !== 'EEXIST') {
diff --git a/src/storage/gcs.js b/src/storage/gcs.js
index 6c914282c..462eb122c 100644
--- a/src/storage/gcs.js
+++ b/src/storage/gcs.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 exports = module.exports = {
-    getBasePath,
+    getRootPath,
     checkPreconditions,
 
     upload,
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function getBucket(apiConfig) {
 }
 
 // storage api
-function getBasePath(apiConfig) {
+function getRootPath(apiConfig) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof apiConfig, 'object');
 
     return apiConfig.prefix;
diff --git a/src/storage/interface.js b/src/storage/interface.js
index 55d1fac30..353f5b30b 100644
--- a/src/storage/interface.js
+++ b/src/storage/interface.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 //     for the other API calls we leave it to the backend to retry. this allows
 //     them to tune the concurrency based on failures/rate limits accordingly
 exports = module.exports = {
-    getBasePath,
+    getRootPath,
     checkPreconditions,
 
     upload,
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function injectPrivateFields(newConfig, currentConfig) {
     // in-place injection of tokens and api keys which came in with constants.SECRET_PLACEHOLDER
 }
 
-function getBasePath(apiConfig) {
+function getRootPath(apiConfig) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof apiConfig, 'object');
 
     // Result: path at the backup storage
diff --git a/src/storage/noop.js b/src/storage/noop.js
index a1a029b93..d3a10ca82 100644
--- a/src/storage/noop.js
+++ b/src/storage/noop.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 exports = module.exports = {
-    getBasePath,
+    getRootPath,
     checkPreconditions,
 
     upload,
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ var assert = require('assert'),
     debug = require('debug')('box:storage/noop'),
     EventEmitter = require('events');
 
-function getBasePath(apiConfig) {
+function getRootPath(apiConfig) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof apiConfig, 'object');
     return '';
 }
diff --git a/src/storage/s3.js b/src/storage/s3.js
index 07ad11cc3..69cf9029a 100644
--- a/src/storage/s3.js
+++ b/src/storage/s3.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 exports = module.exports = {
-    getBasePath,
+    getRootPath,
     checkPreconditions,
 
     upload,
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ function getS3Config(apiConfig, callback) {
 }
 
 // storage api
-function getBasePath(apiConfig) {
+function getRootPath(apiConfig) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof apiConfig, 'object');
 
     return apiConfig.prefix;
diff --git a/src/test/backupcleaner-test.js b/src/test/backupcleaner-test.js
index 0a0ac9388..611e36bc5 100644
--- a/src/test/backupcleaner-test.js
+++ b/src/test/backupcleaner-test.js
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
     after(cleanup);
 
     const backupTemplate = {
-        id: 'someid',
+        id: null,
+        remotePath: 'somepath',
         encryptionVersion: 2,
         packageVersion: '1.0.0',
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX,
@@ -125,7 +126,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
 
     describe('task', function () {
         const BACKUP_0_BOX = {
-            id: 'backup-box-0',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-box-0',
             identifier: 'box',
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
@@ -137,7 +139,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         };
 
         const BACKUP_0_APP_0 = { // backup of installed app
-            id: 'backup-app-00',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-app-00',
             identifier: app.id,
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
@@ -149,7 +152,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         };
 
         const BACKUP_0_APP_1 = { // this app is uninstalled
-            id: 'backup-app-01',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-app-01',
             identifier: 'app1',
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
@@ -161,7 +165,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         };
 
         const BACKUP_1_BOX = {
-            id: 'backup-box-1',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-box-1',
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
             type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX,
@@ -173,7 +178,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         };
 
         const BACKUP_1_APP_0 = {
-            id: 'backup-app-10',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-app-10',
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
             type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_APP,
@@ -185,7 +191,8 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         };
 
         const BACKUP_1_APP_1 = {
-            id: 'backup-app-11',
+            id: null,
+            remotePath: 'backup-app-11',
             encryptionVersion: null,
             packageVersion: '1.0.0',
             type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_APP,
@@ -228,14 +235,21 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
             await cleanupBackups();
         });
 
-        it('succeeds with box backups, keeps latest', async function () {
-            for (const backup of [[ BACKUP_0_BOX, BACKUP_0_APP_0, BACKUP_0_APP_1 ], [ BACKUP_1_BOX, BACKUP_1_APP_0, BACKUP_1_APP_1 ]]) {
-                await delay(2000); // space out backups
-                for (const b of backup) {
-                    await backups.add(b.id, b);
-                }
-            }
+        it('add the backups', async function () {
+            BACKUP_0_APP_0.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_0_APP_0);
+            BACKUP_0_APP_1.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_0_APP_1);
+            BACKUP_0_BOX.dependsOn = [ BACKUP_0_APP_0.id, BACKUP_0_APP_1.id ];
+            BACKUP_0_BOX.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_0_BOX);
 
+            await delay(2000); // space out backups
+
+            BACKUP_1_APP_0.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_1_APP_0);
+            BACKUP_1_APP_1.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_1_APP_1);
+            BACKUP_1_BOX.dependsOn = [ BACKUP_1_APP_0.id, BACKUP_1_APP_1.id ];
+            BACKUP_1_BOX.id = await backups.add(BACKUP_1_BOX);
+        });
+
+        it('succeeds with box backups, keeps latest', async function () {
             await cleanupBackups();
 
             const results = await backups.getByTypePaged(backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX, 1, 1000);
@@ -261,7 +275,7 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
         it('succeeds for app backups not referenced by a box backup', async function () {
             // add two dangling app backups not referenced by box backup. app1 is uninstalled. app0 is there
             for (const backup of [BACKUP_0_APP_0, BACKUP_0_APP_1]) {
-                await backups.add(backup.id, backup);
+                backup.id = await backups.add(backup);
             }
 
             await delay(2000); // wait for expiration
@@ -270,7 +284,7 @@ describe('backup cleaner', function () {
 
             let result = await backups.getByTypePaged(backups.BACKUP_TYPE_APP, 1, 1000);
             expect(result.length).to.equal(3);
-            result = result.sort((r1, r2) => r1.id.localeCompare(r2.id));
+            result = result.sort((r1, r2) => r1.remotePath.localeCompare(r2.remotePath));
             expect(result[0].id).to.be(BACKUP_0_APP_0.id); // because app is installed, latest backup is preserved
             expect(result[1].id).to.be(BACKUP_1_APP_0.id); // referenced by box
             expect(result[2].id).to.be(BACKUP_1_APP_1.id); // referenced by box
diff --git a/src/test/backups-test.js b/src/test/backups-test.js
index 4683ba1d6..a96f421e7 100644
--- a/src/test/backups-test.js
+++ b/src/test/backups-test.js
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ describe('backups', function () {
     after(cleanup);
 
     const boxBackup = {
-        id: 'backup-box',
+        id: null,
+        remotePath: 'backup-box',
         encryptionVersion: 2,
         packageVersion: '1.0.0',
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_BOX,
@@ -33,7 +34,8 @@ describe('backups', function () {
     };
 
     const appBackup = {
-        id: 'app_appid_123',
+        id: null,
+        remotePath: 'app_appid_123',
         encryptionVersion: null,
         packageVersion: '1.0.0',
         type: backups.BACKUP_TYPE_APP,
@@ -47,11 +49,11 @@ describe('backups', function () {
     };
 
     it('add succeeds', async function () {
-        await backups.add(boxBackup.id, boxBackup);
+        boxBackup.id = await backups.add(boxBackup);
     });
 
-    it('fails with duplicating id', async function () {
-        const [error] = await safe(backups.add(boxBackup.id, boxBackup));
+    it('fails with duplicate path', async function () {
+        const [error] = await safe(backups.add(boxBackup));
         expect(error.reason).to.be(BoxError.ALREADY_EXISTS);
     });
 
@@ -87,7 +89,7 @@ describe('backups', function () {
     });
 
     it('add app backup succeeds', async function () {
-        await backups.add(appBackup.id, appBackup);
+        appBackup.id = await backups.add(appBackup);
     });
 
     it('get app backup succeeds', async function () {