How To Manually Backup & Restore Your Data

Create a manual backup in MoneyCoach before big changes, device moves, sync changes, or troubleshooting. You can later restore that backup file to bring the app back to the saved data state.

TL;DR

• Open Settings / Data.
• Use Backup to iCloud Drive for the fastest iCloud backup.
• Use Backup... when you want to choose a custom location.
• Use Restore to select a saved backup file.
• Turn off iCloud sync before restoring.

Create a backup

1. Open MoneyCoach.
2. Go to Settings / Data.
3. Choose one of the backup options:
   • Backup to iCloud Drive creates a backup in the MoneyCoach folder in iCloud Drive.
   • Backup... opens the file picker so you can choose a location such as Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or local device storage.
4. If you choose Backup..., select the destination folder.
5. Tap Move when the file picker asks where to place the backup.
6. Wait until the backup is created and saved.

Keep at least one recent backup somewhere outside the app before you make major changes.

Restore a backup

1. Open MoneyCoach.
2. Go to Settings / Data.
3. Turn off iCloud sync first if it is enabled.
4. Tap Restore.
5. Find the backup file.
6. Select the backup file.
7. Wait for MoneyCoach to restore the data.
8. Review your accounts, transactions, budgets, and goals after the restore.

If you used Backup to iCloud Drive, open the MoneyCoach folder in iCloud Drive and select the backup file you want.

Automatic safety backups before sync

MoneyCoach creates a manual backup before enabling Individual Sync or Family Sync. These files are saved in the MoneyCoach folder in iCloud Drive and include the date, time, and sync mode in the file name.

Examples:

• Backup_2026_05_19_08_59_35_before-individual-sharing
• Backup_2026_05_19_12_03_48_before-family-sharing

These backups are useful if something goes wrong while switching sync modes.

When to create a manual backup

• Before enabling Individual Sync.
• Before enabling Family Sync.
• Before moving to a new device.
• Before importing a large CSV file.
• Before deleting many transactions, accounts, categories, budgets, or goals.
• Before troubleshooting a sync issue.

Additional information

Manual backups are different from sync. Sync keeps devices updated with the same current data. A backup is a saved copy from one point in time. For sync troubleshooting, see iCloud Sync Troubleshooting.