Backups

2Do can automatically take snapshots of its database every 24 or 48 hours. It can also take an automatic backup before every sync — so if a sync goes wrong elsewhere on another device, you can roll back to the pre-sync state on this Mac with one click. Backups are kept locally on your Mac, completely independent of whatever sync method you use, and they can be saved, restored, or migrated without touching the cloud.

tip

Use Save as... to keep an extra copy of an important backup in iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud-backed folder. Without an off-Mac copy, a drive failure or accidental uninstall can take every local backup with it.

Backup Settings

Open 2Do > Settings > Backups to configure:

• Automatic Backups — choose None, Every 24 Hours, or Every 48 Hours.
• Backup before performing Sync — creates a safety backup before sync runs.
• Manage Backups — create a backup now, remove backups you no longer need, save a selected backup elsewhere, or restore.
• Keep at most — choose how many automatic backups 2Do keeps before it rolls out the oldest.

What Gets Backed Up

A backup is a snapshot of 2Do's local database, including:

• All lists, list groups, projects, checklists, and tasks.
• All tags and tag groups.
• All Smart Lists and saved list settings, including Focus Filter choices.
• App preferences stored in the local database.
• Locked-list state and password-protected list information. Sync credentials and license state are not part of the backup.

Restoring a Backup

1. 2Do > Settings > Backups.
2. Select a backup from Manage Backups and click Restore....
3. Confirm. 2Do replaces its current database with the chosen backup.

Hold ⌥ (Option) while clicking Restore... to pick a saved backup file from disk.

warning

Restoring a backup replaces your current data. If you're unsure, select the current backup first and use Save as... before restoring, so you have an extra copy to come back to.

Migrating to a New Mac

To move 2Do to a new Mac:

1. On the Mac you are moving from, open Settings > Backups, select a backup, and click Save as....
2. Copy the archive to the new Mac (AirDrop, USB, iCloud Drive — anything works).
3. Install 2Do on the new Mac.
4. Open Settings > Backups, hold ⌥ (Option), click Restore..., and pick the saved backup file. If you sync via Dropbox or CalDAV, an alternative is to set up sync on the new Mac and let your data flow in. Backup-import is faster on a slow network.

Backups vs. Sync

Backups and sync solve different problems:

• Sync keeps your devices in step in real time. Sync is great for "keep my Mac and iPhone matching." It's not great for "I deleted a task three weeks ago and I need it back."
• Backups are time-machine snapshots. If sync has a bad day, a synced delete propagates everywhere — and the only way back is a backup. Run both. Sync for daily life, backups for the rainy day.

Where the Files Live

By default, backups live inside 2Do's own Application Support data. The safest way to work with them is through 2Do > Settings > Backups > Manage Backups, where you can save a selected backup elsewhere or restore it.

Use Save as... when you want a backup file you can move to another Mac, keep in cloud storage, or attach to a support request.

Tips

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Use Save as... for milestone backups before large changes, such as switching sync methods or restoring another device.

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Before changing sync providers, use Save as... to keep an extra backup. Sync changes can be lossy for unsupported task properties — a backup is your safety net.