> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bowbudget.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Frequently asked questions

> Answers to common questions about Bow: envelope budgeting, connecting your bank, the free trial, where your data is stored, Apple Intelligence and YNAB.

> **What is envelope budgeting?**
>
> You split the money you have into envelopes, like rent, groceries and savings, before you spend it. A purchase comes out of its envelope. If an envelope has money, you can spend it. If it's empty, you move money from another one first. See [How Bow works](https://bowbudget.com/docs/how-bow-works.md).

> **Do I have to connect my bank?**
>
> No. Plenty of people enter transactions themselves, with Siri, or by scanning receipts. If you want them to come in automatically, connect your bank through SimpleFIN Bridge, which has its own signup and a small yearly fee. See [Connect your bank](https://bowbudget.com/docs/connect-your-bank.md).

> **What happens when my free trial ends?**
>
> If you keep your subscription, you're charged the amount Bow showed when you started. If you cancel, your budget becomes read-only. It's never locked: you can still view, search, export and back it up. See [Plans and read-only](https://bowbudget.com/docs/subscriptions.md).

> **Where is my data stored?**
>
> On your iPhone and in your own iCloud. There's no Bow account and no Bow server holding your budget. See [iCloud sync and backups](https://bowbudget.com/docs/icloud-and-backups.md).

> **Do I need Apple Intelligence?**
>
> No. Budgeting works the same without it. On an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, Bow can also fill in transactions from receipts, photos, your voice or a description, and search your spending in your own words. See [Apple Intelligence](https://bowbudget.com/docs/apple-intelligence.md).

> **Can I switch from YNAB?**
>
> Yes. Choose **Coming from YNAB?** when you first open Bow and import your YNAB export. See [Move from YNAB](https://bowbudget.com/docs/move-from-ynab.md).

> **Is there an iPad or Mac version?**
>
> Not yet. Bow is made for iPhone, including [iPhone Duo](https://bowbudget.com/docs/iphone-duo.md), and your budget syncs between your iPhones through iCloud.

Something else? [Get in touch](https://bowbudget.com/contact).


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