Exporting and Importing Your Data

What is a Backup File?

A backup exports your entire trading plan — all strategies, routines, risk plans, philosophy, mindset, business notes, watchlists, and all associated rules and settings — into a single .tradingplanbackup file. You can store this file anywhere: Files app, iCloud Drive, email to yourself, or an external drive.

This is separate from iCloud sync. iCloud sync handles day-to-day data continuity. A backup file gives you a point-in-time snapshot you can restore from at any time — even if iCloud sync fails or data is accidentally deleted.

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Exporting a Backup

1. Go to Profile → Manage Plan Data
2. Tap Export Backup
3. Choose where to save the file (Files, AirDrop, Mail, etc.)

The file is named with the current date and time so you can keep multiple backups organised chronologically.

What’s Included in a Backup

Everything in your plan is exported: - All strategies with all rules, sections, and settings - All routines with all phases and steps - All risk plans (names, settings, all sections) - Trading philosophy, trader mindset, trader why - Business notes - Watchlists — markets, settings, groups, linked strategies and routines, risk plan link, column configuration, flag labels, status labels

What’s Not Included

• Daily review state (which markets you’ve reviewed today) — this is session-only state, not backed up
• Notification settings — these are device-specific preferences
• Flow history — completed flow records are not currently included in the backup
• Profile photo — syncs via iCloud but not included in the backup file

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Importing a Backup

Warning: Importing a backup replaces all your current data. Everything you currently have in the app for your account will be deleted and replaced with what’s in the backup file. This cannot be undone.

1. Go to Profile → Manage Plan Data
2. Tap Import Backup
3. Select your .tradingplanbackup file from Files (or wherever you stored it)
4. Confirm the import when prompted

After importing, the app restores all data from the backup. Allow a few seconds for the data to appear.

After Importing

• Check your strategies, routines, and risk plans are all present
• Reminders (notifications) are disabled on all restored strategies and routines — you’ll need to re-enable any reminders you want on this device. This is intentional: restoring a backup to a new device shouldn’t immediately fire notifications you set up elsewhere

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Backup File Format

The backup file is JSON-based and uses the .tradingplanbackup extension. It can also be imported as a .json file if you’ve renamed or modified it. The format is versioned — newer versions of the app can always read older backup files.

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How Often Should You Back Up?

There’s no automatic local backup — this is a manual process. Recommended times to export a backup:

• Before a major update — if you’re on TestFlight or update frequently
• After a big plan revision — if you’ve done a significant rewrite of strategies or risk rules
• Monthly — as a general habit, especially if iCloud sync has had any issues
• Before switching devices — as a safety net alongside iCloud sync

For most users, iCloud sync handles continuity well. Backups are your safety net, not your primary sync mechanism.

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Compatibility

Backup files exported from any version of TradingPlan can be imported into the current version. The importer handles both the current format and older legacy formats automatically.