How do I move Kontuly to a new computer?
To move Kontuly to a new computer, export a backup of each business, deactivate the licence on the old computer, then install Kontuly on the new one, activate your licence and restore the backups. Your books move as a copy, so finish on the old computer before you start on the new one.
- Export each business on the old computer: open it, go to Settings → Backups and click Export…, saving to a USB drive. If you use off-site copies, click Copy now and use the newest copy of each business instead.
- Deactivate the old computer. Open Settings → Licence and click Deactivate this computer, then confirm. A licence works on one computer at a time. The old computer keeps your books, read-only.
- Install Kontuly on the new computer. See How do I install Kontuly?
- Activate your licence. On the first screen, click Already bought a licence? Enter your key. Still on the trial? Fill in the trial form instead.
- Restore the first business. On the start screen, click Restore from a backup file… and choose its backup. It opens straight away.
- Restore the others. For each, open Settings → Backups, click Restore from file… and choose its backup.
- Re-enter your email password in Settings → Email (SMTP). It's encrypted with the old computer's keychain, so the new computer can't read it. Choose the logo and invoice PDF folder again too if they were in folders that don't exist on the new computer.
- Turn reminders back on. Restored businesses start with overdue reminders off and recurring templates paused. Tick Send overdue reminders in Settings and resume templates in Recurring.
- Check your reports agree with the old computer before you stop using it.
The old computer is gone. How do I free the licence?
Contact support@phenomcentral.com and we'll free it. Then restore from your latest off-site copy or exported backup.
Do I need a backup password on the new computer?
If your backups were protected with a backup password, you need that password to restore them. Set it again on the new computer to keep new copies protected.
Can I use both computers?
Not for the same books. Changes made in one copy never reach the other, so pick one computer and stay on it.
Related questions
- How do I export a backup of my Kontuly books?In Kontuly, open Settings → Backups and click Export… to save the open business as one .kontuly file you can keep on a USB drive or send to someone.
- How do I restore a Kontuly backup?Restoring a backup in Kontuly always adds it as a new, separate business, so your current books are never overwritten. How to restore a listed backup or a file.
- How do I enter my Kontuly licence key?Click Enter licence key in Kontuly's top strip or in Settings → Licence, type the email and 16-character key from your licence email, and click Activate.
More about backups, data and security
- Where does Kontuly store my books on my computer?Kontuly keeps each business as a file in its data folder on your Mac, Windows or Linux computer. The folder paths, and why to use the backup buttons instead.
- How does Kontuly back up my books?Kontuly backs up every business automatically each day and keeps the last 14, plus one before updates and deletes. How to see backups and take one now.
- How do I keep a copy of my Kontuly books off the computer?Set up off-site copies in Kontuly and it copies every business each day to a USB drive, network drive (NAS) or other folder you choose. Nothing is sent online.
- Is Kontuly secure? How are my books protected?Your Kontuly books stay on your computer. Protect them with disk encryption, an optional app password and a backup password that encrypts copies.
- How do I set an app password in Kontuly?Set an app password in Kontuly's Settings → Security so it asks for it on opening, after idle time and on sleep. A forgotten password can't be recovered.