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How to sync

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Hwee Koon Ng

22 Mar, 2021 05:19 AM

Hi I just set up moneydance trial for my mac and want to be able to sync it with my android handphone. How do i do that? This is a key feature for me. I want to be able to update my transactions on the go as and when I spend.

1. 1 Posted by derekkent23 on 22 Mar, 2021 08:31 AM

   

   I am not support staff, just a user.
   Hi Hwee Koon Ng

   Moneydance - Setting up Sync Method Dropbox Folder to another computer and / or mobile devices, phones.

   Make sure you have the same version/build of Moneydance installed on all computers.

   You need to has a least a free Dropbox account and have installed Dropbox client on the computers to be synced. Don’t install Drobox client on your mobile device/phone unless it is for a reason unrelated to Moneydance.

   When you sync you have a primary computer and one or more secondary computers.
   The free Dropbox account only allows you to install Dropbox Client on three computers. If you need more than 3 then the extra computers can use Dropbox Connection where you don’t need to install Dropbox client. You can mix syncing methods.

   Using Dropbox Folder is usually faster than the syncing method Dropbox Connection.

   Dropbox Folder syncing method setup is as follows:

   There is a bug in the current version of Moneydance so you have to manually create a folder called “.moneydancesync” in the Dropbox Folder. If you are a Mac user and have problems creating a folder starting with a period try again in your Dropbox cloud account.

   1. Open Moneydance on your primary computer under FILE (MONEYDANCE on Mac) - SYNCING, set your “Encryption Passphrase”, set “Sync Method” to “Dropbox Folder” and click OK
      
   2. Wait for Dropbox folder “.moneydancesync” and its contents to be created in your Dropbox folder. This can take some time. Watch the Dropbox icon and wait till it states “Up to Date”. If you are only syncing to a Mobile device / phone skip to section headed Mobile Devices/phones. For syncing computers wait until the same Dropbox folder appears on your second computer, again watch the Dropbox icon this time on your second computer and wait till it states “Up to Date”. From now on normal syncing is fast, no need to wait or check. Note: on a Mac if “.moneydancesync” is hidden, try in your Finder window, typing CMD-Shift-G and then pasting ~/Dropbox/.moneydancesync/ into the box to unhide.
      
   3. On your second computer starting Moneydance should open it in the welcome window, click on “Create a new account set”. Or if it opens in to an existing account click FILE (MONEYDANCE on Mac) - NEW
      
   4. Select “Open Synced File” and use dropdown to select “Dropbox Folder” then click NEXT.
      
   5. You should see a search screen headed “Finding synced files” then “Select a synced document to open”
      
   6. Highlight the data set name you won’t to sync with and click NEXT.
      
   7. Enter the encryption password, the “Encryption Passphrase” you set on your primary computer under FILE – SYNCING.
      
   8. Then click on FINISH. You should see the message “Performing initial sync this may take a while”.
      
   9. Wait to syncing is complete.
      You may find a lot of old, maybe closed accounts or other accounts you have removed from the side bar reappearing in the second computers side bar. Use the “+” sign at bottom of side bar then ADVANCED to tidy up the side bar.
      Mobile Devices/phones.
      You can also sync to mobile devices such as phones. The free app is available from Play Store, or Apple Store. There is a Aneroid beta build that may work better with newer Aneroid devices, see section Android Beta.

   The setup is as follows.
   1. On your phone once the Moneydance app is installed, open the app, then tap "Connect to Dropbox" or Dropbox icon.
   2. You'll be taken to Dropbox's website to give the Moneydance app permission to access your Dropbox.
   If you're already connected to Dropbox on your device, this may be done automatically.
   3. If you have more than one file enabled to sync via Dropbox, choose the file you'd like to sync.
   4. Enter the Encryption Password (“Encryption Passphrase”) that you used to sync on your computers.
   5. It can take a long time to for the first sync to complete, perhaps leave overnight if necessary.

   You can now view, edit and add transaction to your Bank and credit card type accounts. You don’t get access to investment account reminders, reports etc. It’s just a simple method of adding transaction when you’re out and about.

   Perhaps also read https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/kb/syncing-and-sharing-data

   Android Beta
   There is an Android beta build that may work better with newer Android phones. Note you must be running at least Android 7.1.1.
   To install:
   1. Use the Play Store app to find Moneydance.
   2. Click on the Moneydance icon to show the description of Moneydance.
   3. Scroll to the very bottom of the description and you should see
   Join the beta
   Try new features before they’re
   officially released and give your
   feedback to the developer.
   Join Learn more
   4. Click on Join and in the window that appears click JOIN.
   5. The screen now reads
   Joining beta...
   Adding your account to the
   Program. It may take a few minutes.
   6. Wait 60 seconds, then use the back key and click on the Moneydance icon again.
   7. The heading should now read Moneydance (Beta). Assuming it does click Install. If it does not go back to step 6 and wait a longer period.
   8. Once installed, start Moneydance app.
   9. The initial sync may take some time and the balances listed on the account page may be all zeros. Close the App and also the its background instance and then open the app again, balances should be OK from then on.
   The reason the initial sync takes a long time is unlike the current version the beta is syncing all Moneydance data as a prelude to expanding the mobile apps functions in a later build.

   Hope this helps.

   • Edit

2. Melissa closed this discussion on 27 Mar, 2021 12:30 AM.

3. Ng Hwee Koon re-opened this discussion on 26 Mar, 2022 02:48 PM

4. 2 Posted by Ng Hwee Koon on 26 Mar, 2022 02:48 PM

   

   Hi,

   I previously purchased a copy of the moneydance software for my mac, but it
   recently brokedown. I have bought a windows laptop to replace. Can I
   convert the existing software to windows version and recover the data
   /accounts I had set up on my mac version?

   Regards,

   NG Hwee Koon (Ms)
   Mobile: (+65) 9018 7398

   • Edit

5. Support Staff 3 Posted by Ethan on 26 Mar, 2022 02:53 PM

   

   Hello,

   For non-business use, our licensing policy allows you to install the version of Moneydance you have purchased on as many computers as you need in your household, regardless of operating system. Simply use the same license key you are given for your initial purchase on your other household computers.

   To move data to a new computer, please follow the instructions at: https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/kb/file-locations-and-changes/mo...

   Ethan
   Infinite Kind Support

   • Edit

6. Ethan closed this discussion on 26 Mar, 2022 02:53 PM.