# How do I move my tasks from the old 2Do app to the new one?

All your data in v3 is safe and is easy to migrate over to v4. Since version 4 is a separate app, it cannot read version 3's data directly. Instead, it downloads your tasks from the sync account version 3 already uses, the same way 2Do gets your tasks when you set it up on a new device. On the Mac, 2026.x is the new version. It installs over 2.x and keeps your existing data so there's nothing to migrate. See [2Do for Mac](#mac) below.

Keep version 3 installed

Leave version 3 on your device until everything shows up in version 4. None of the steps on this page delete anything from version 3.

## Move your tasks in three steps[​](#steps "Direct link to Move your tasks in three steps")

1. Check which sync method version 3 uses

   In version 3, open **Settings > Sync** and note the sync method and the account it is signed in to, then let it finish a sync. If version 3 uses **iCloud**, choose **iCloud CalDAV** in version 4. The **iCloud** option in version 4 is a new kind of iCloud sync that cannot see version 3's data.

2. Set up the same sync method in version 4

   Install version 4, open **Settings > Sync**, and choose the same sync method. Sign in to the same account and tap **Set Up Sync** (**Link Account** for Dropbox). If 2Do asks how to handle the first sync, choose **Replace Local Data**. Your lists and tasks download. Do not choose **Replace Server Data** here.

3. Keep this sync method, or switch to the new iCloud sync

   Repeat step 2 on each device that gets version 4. You can keep syncing exactly as before. Once every device runs version 4, you can [switch to the new iCloud sync](#switch-to-icloud). This is 2Do's own iCloud sync, not **iCloud CalDAV**. It uses the iCloud account your device is already signed in to, so there is no separate login or password, and everything in 2Do syncs through it, including Smart Lists, tag groups, list groups and attachments.

If version 3 never synced, [move your data with a backup](#backup) instead.

## Details and troubleshooting[​](#more "Direct link to Details and troubleshooting")

What information syncs across the apps

Version 4 receives whatever your sync method carries.

* **Dropbox** carries everything: tasks, notes, dates, alerts, repeats, lists, tags, Smart Lists, tag groups, list groups, and picture and audio attachments. Only link-only attachments stay on the device.
* **iCloud CalDAV**, other CalDAV accounts, **Todoist** and **Toodledo** carry your tasks and lists, but not Smart Lists, tag groups or list groups. **Todoist** and **Toodledo** also leave attachments on the device.
* Lists you excluded from sync in version 3 (**Settings > Sync > Exclusions**) exist only on that device.
* Review **Settings** after moving. Supported app settings [sync through the same iCloud account across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](/docs/ios/settings.md#settings-sync), separately from your task sync service.

Anything your sync method leaves behind can be brought over with a [backup](#backup).

Newer sync methods in version 4

Version 4 adds sync methods that version 3 does not have, including the new iCloud sync. They work between devices running version 4 or 2Do for Mac 2026.x, not with version 3. To learn about each method, see [Which sync method should I use?](/docs/faqs/which-sync-method-should-i-use.md)

Switching to the new iCloud sync

**iCloud** is the recommended sync method in version 4 and in 2Do for Mac 2026.x. It is the first method in the **Account Type** menu and is marked **Recommended**. Do not confuse it with **iCloud CalDAV**, which syncs through Apple's calendar servers and needs an app-specific password. The new iCloud sync is 2Do's own: it uses the iCloud account your device is already signed in to, so there is no separate login or password, and everything in 2Do syncs through it, including Smart Lists, tag groups, list groups and attachments.

Switch only once every device you sync with can use it: version 3 cannot, 2Do for Android cannot (keep Dropbox if you sync with Android), and on the Mac it needs 2Do 2026.x on macOS 14 or later.

1. On the device that now holds all your tasks, open **Settings > Sync** and disconnect the current method: **Unlink** for Dropbox, **Change Account** for every other method. Your tasks stay on the device.
2. Choose **iCloud** and tap **Set Up Sync**. If 2Do asks how to handle the first sync, choose **Replace Server Data**. This uploads this device's copy to iCloud.
3. On each of your other devices, disconnect the old method the same way, choose **iCloud**, tap **Set Up Sync**, and choose **Replace Local Data** if asked.

Do not choose **Replace Server Data** on the other devices. It would replace the copy you just uploaded with theirs.

See [switching sync methods](/docs/ios/sync.md#switching) and [iCloud sync on the Mac](/docs/macos/sync-with-icloud.md).

Moving your data with a backup instead of sync

Use a backup if version 3 never synced, or to bring over the Smart Lists, tag groups and list groups that your sync method leaves behind.

1. In version 3, open **Settings > Backups** and save a backup outside the app: **Backup to Email**, or **Create Backup Now** followed by **Save a Copy…** to Files or iCloud Drive. Version 4 lists only its own backups, so it needs this saved copy.
2. In version 4, open **Settings > Backups & Export > Restore from File…**, pick the saved backup, and choose **Restore Everything…**. 2Do quits when the restore completes. Open it again and your data is there.
3. Set up sync as in step 2 above. If 2Do asks how to handle the first sync, choose **Replace Server Data** when the restored copy is your complete, latest data and the option is offered, so your other devices pick it up. Choose **Merge** only when the server also holds changes you need to keep, or when your sync method does not offer Replace Server Data (Todoist and Apple Reminders). Merge never deletes anything, but it compares every task and can take a very long time with a large number of tasks. At worst it keeps a duplicate of an item it could not match, which you can delete by hand.

To bring over only one or two lists, use **Restore Selected** in the backup browser instead. It adds the lists you pick under a group named **Restored** and leaves your existing data untouched. See [Restore Selected](/docs/ios/backups.md#restore-selected).

Replace Local Data, Replace Server Data, or Merge?

2Do asks this the first time a device syncs with an account that already holds data. The alert is titled **Sync Method**.

* **Replace Local Data**: this device takes what is on the sync account. Choose this in version 4 when moving your tasks over.
* **Replace Server Data**: the sync account takes what is on this device. Choose this only on the device that holds the copy you want everywhere, for example after restoring a backup.
* **Merge**: keeps both sides and deletes nothing. Choose this when the device and the sync account both hold tasks you want to keep.

Never choose **Replace Server Data** from the new, empty app. It would wipe the copy on your sync account. **Todoist** does not offer it at all. After the first sync, the same choice is available any time under **Settings > Sync > Next sync action**. See [Replace Server Data vs Replace Local Data](/docs/faqs/replace-server-data-vs-replace-local-data.md).

Troubleshooting

**Version 4 shows old tasks or dates after Dropbox sync.** Compare the Dropbox email in **Settings > Sync** with the one used in version 3. A different account can hold an older copy of your data. Check the account before replacing anything. See [Old or missing tasks with Dropbox](/docs/faqs/dropbox-shows-old-or-missing-tasks.md) for recovery through the correct account or a fresh version 3 backup.

**Version 4 is empty after the first sync.** Check that both apps use the same sync method and the same account, that you chose **iCloud CalDAV** rather than **iCloud** if version 3 used iCloud, and that version 3 finished its last sync. Then pull down on the task list in version 4 to sync again, or set **Settings > Sync > Next sync action** to **Replace Local Data**.

**The Account Type menu is greyed out.** It is locked while an account is connected. Tap **Change Account** (**Unlink** for Dropbox) to unlock it. This clears the device's sync history, not its tasks.

**iCloud CalDAV rejects the password.** It needs your Apple Account email and an [app-specific password](/docs/ios/sync-with-icloud-caldav.md#app-specific-password), not your Apple Account password.

**Version 4 does not show version 3's backups.** Version 4 lists only its own backups. Save a copy from version 3 first (**Backup to Email** or **Save a Copy…**), then open it in version 4 with **Restore from File…**.

**2Do quit after Restore Everything.** That is expected. Open 2Do again and the restored data is there.

**Some lists, Smart Lists or groups are missing.** Your sync method does not carry them, or the list was excluded from sync in version 3. Bring them over with a [backup](#backup), or with **Restore Selected** for a single list.

**One device is still on version 3.** That is fine. Version 3 and version 4 can share the same Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, other CalDAV, Todoist or Toodledo account, so they keep syncing with each other. Only the new **iCloud** sync needs version 4 on every device.

## 2Do for Mac[​](#mac "Direct link to 2Do for Mac")

2Do for Mac 2026.x is the new version of the Mac app, and 2.x is the old one. Unlike on iPhone and iPad, it installs over 2.x and keeps your data, so there is nothing to move. It is a paid upgrade, though: a license covers 2026.x only while it is still within its 18 months of updates, so an older license needs [a renewal](/store.md?current-tab=renewals) first. The Mac App Store edition is a subscription, and Setapp includes it. See [how 2Do for Mac is licensed](/docs/faqs/licensing-explained.md) for details.

A Mac still on 2.x keeps syncing with version 4 through Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, other CalDAV accounts, Todoist or Toodledo. The new iCloud sync needs 2Do 2026.x on macOS 14 or later.

## Finally, delete version 3[​](#deleting "Direct link to Finally, delete version 3")

Once version 4 is installed on each device and sync is set up, check that your data has transferred. Save a backup outside version 3 as well, because the backups stored inside it are deleted with it. Then delete version 3. There is no rush: it keeps working, but it no longer receives updates.

Version 4 is a separate app and a separate purchase. For why, see [the new iPhone and iPad apps](/docs/faqs/new-iphone-ipad-apps.md). If your question isn't answered here, please [contact us](/docs.md#support-information).