> ## 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.

# iCloud sync and backups

> Bow keeps your budget on your iPhone and in your own iCloud, with no Bow account. How sync works, moving to a new iPhone, and backing up and restoring.

Your budget lives on your iPhone and in your own iCloud. There's no Bow account and no Bow server holding your budget.

## iCloud sync

When you're signed in to iCloud, Bow syncs your budget privately to your other devices signed in to the same Apple Account. You don't need to turn anything on. **Settings › iCloud** shows whether sync is on, and the note below it explains any problem, like full iCloud storage.

If you're not signed in, your budget is saved on this iPhone and syncs once you sign in.

## On a new iPhone

Install Bow and sign in to the same Apple Account. Bow looks for your budget in iCloud first.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Wait for Bow to find your budget rather than starting a new one, so you don't end up with two.

## Back up

**1. Go to Settings › Manage Data**

**2. Tap Share Backup**

Save the file somewhere safe, like Files.

A backup holds your accounts, envelopes, transactions and schedules. Receipt photos and your bank connection aren't included.

Want a spreadsheet instead? **Share Transactions Spreadsheet** makes a CSV of every transaction.

## Restore

In Manage Data, tap **Restore from Backup…** and choose a backup file.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Restoring replaces everything in your budget, on this iPhone and your other devices. Receipt photos aren't in backups, so restoring removes them. Connect bank sync again afterward.


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