DatastoreFirestore

DatastoreFirestore is a term sometimes used to describe Cloud Firestore operating in Datastore mode, a configuration that preserves the legacy Cloud Datastore API and data model within Cloud Firestore. It is not a separate product but a compatibility mode that allows existing Datastore applications to run on Firestore’s underlying infrastructure while maintaining familiar programming patterns.

In Datastore mode, developers continue to work with Datastore-style entities, kinds, keys, and ancestor paths, and use Datastore-style queries, transactions, and indexing. This mode provides the migration path for teams with existing Datastore deployments who want to benefit from Firestore’s scalable infrastructure without rewriting their application code. Data remains accessible using the familiar Datastore client libraries, and Google provides tooling to facilitate data migration and project-level configuration.

Cloud Firestore itself exists in two modes: Native mode and Datastore mode. Native mode offers Firestore’s modern document model, real-time updates, offline support, and richer querying capabilities, while Datastore mode emphasizes API and behavior compatibility with the original Datastore service. Applications in Datastore mode can migrate to Firestore Native mode if needed, though this generally requires coordinated changes to code and deployment.

Limitations of Datastore mode include the absence of certain Firestore Native features, such as real-time listeners and offline support, and some differences in security and tooling. For new projects, Google recommends evaluating Firestore Native mode, whereas Datastore mode remains a viable option for migrating and maintaining legacy Datastore workloads within Cloud Firestore infrastructure.