# Backup & restore

Export everything you've recorded into a single file — and pull it back into Flow on any device.

## Where to find it

Open **Profile** → **Backup**. You'll land on a screen titled **Export** — a stack of cards, one per format.

## The export formats

- **As CSV** — a flat, spreadsheet-friendly dump. The card itself warns: _"Cannot be used for restore/import! Ideal for opening in software like Google Sheets"_. Read-only.
- **As backup (zip)** — the full safety net. Includes everything from JSON _plus_ your attached files (receipts, photos). Use this for moving devices.
- **As backup (json)** — only essential data. No images or attached files. Restorable into Flow.
- **Statements (PDF)** — a printable statement view. Not an official statement and not restorable. Useful for sharing with an accountant.
- **Backup history** — a list of past exports with timestamps, so you can re-share or compare.

⚠️ CSV and PDF are one-way

Neither is a true backup. If your phone dies, only **ZIP** or **JSON** will bring your data back — and only ZIP preserves attachments. The Export screen's CSV is for spreadsheets, not for re-importing into Flow. (For an importable CSV, see **Get CSV template** on the Import screen.)

## Exporting

1. Open **Profile** → **Backup**.
2. Pick **As backup (zip)** (recommended) or **As backup (json)**.
3. The system share sheet appears. Save the file somewhere durable — iCloud Drive, Google Drive, AirDrop to another device, email it to yourself.

## Restoring

To restore — on a new phone, after a reinstall, or to roll back a mistake:

1. Install Flow on the device.
2. Go to **Profile** → **Import**.
3. Tap **Select a file** and pick the ZIP or JSON. Flow auto-detects the format.
4. Confirm. **Restoring replaces your current data.**

See [Importing data](/content/guide/import-csv/index.html) for the full Import screen, including Ivy Wallet migration and the importable CSV template.

ℹ️ Replace, not merge

Restore is destructive on purpose. There is no deduplicating merge mode — if you want to combine two devices, you'll need to do it manually before restoring.

## How often should I back up?

If you've enabled [auto-backup to iCloud](/content/guide/icloud-backup/index.html), Flow does it for you. Otherwise: any time you're about to switch phones, reinstall, or experiment with risky imports. A monthly manual ZIP export to a cloud drive is a sensible floor.