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FAQ: Synchronization

Michael Totschnig edited this page Dec 14, 2024 · 13 revisions

How to set up synchronization?

The following video shows how to create a synchronization back-end on Google Drive, sync existing data from one device, and restore it from another: https://mastodon.social/web/@myexpenses/107893807413260921

Synchronization stopped working, how can I find out why?

Please activate debug logging from Settings -> Advanced -> Debug -> Write debugging information into system log. Then the app creates a file called SyncAdapter-latest.log on the device' external storage under Android/data/org.totschnig.myexpenses/files/logs. This file should contain some useful information what happens while the app talks with the sync backend. You can send it to [email protected] and we will try to make sense of it. The Debug Preferences (Settings - Advanced Section - Debug) has an entry "Share log files" that facilitates sending this file.

Synchronization does not work on my Xiaomi (or TCL or similar) device. Why?

According to reports by users, on some Xiaomi MIUI devices, synchronization does not work without an "Autostart" permission. See https://github.com/mtotschnig/MyExpenses/issues/450#issuecomment-422437282 for a guide on how to grant it. Similarly for TCL devices, Autostart must be granted, and according to one user report, "Smart manager" must be configured to not control My Expenses. You can install https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbandroid.dontkillmyapp in order to assess, if your device has restrictions on background tasks that might prevent My Expenses' synchronization from feature, and to learn about potential workarounds.

Synchronization of budgets

(Since version 3.9.2)

Since the definition of budgets should change less frequently, budgets are not exported and imported automatically, but you need to trigger these operations via commands provided on the Budget screen. Budgets that are defined for a single account, can only be synced to the back-end that the account is synced with. Budgets for aggregate accounts can be synced to any back-end. In order to set it up, follow these steps:

  1. On the budget screen, from the menu, open the Synchronization item, and then select the back-end. This will write the budget's configuration including all filters and allocations to the back-end.
  2. From then on, the Synchronization command, will have a sub-menu with an Export and an Import item, which will write to or read from the back-end.
  3. In order to initially import the budget on a second device where the same back-end is added, you will find an Import entry on the Budget List screen. Selecting the back-end, will present you with the list of all budgets that can be imported from there.