Restore a Refract Backup: Move Your Account to a New Phone or Account
Refract's Export & Backup writes your whole account into one ZIP: readable CSV tables plus the exact data Refract needs to put everything back. Importing that file on another device or account restores your library, episode watches, ratings, reviews and comments, diary, lists, favourites and custom artwork. Only the profile fields that are still empty on the destination are filled.
Step 1: get your a Refract backup export
You will end up with: the Refract backup .zip.
- On the device that has your data, open Refract and go to Settings → Import & Export → Refract backup.
- Export the backup; Refract notifies you when the ZIP is ready. It is kept for 7 days, so download it and store it somewhere safe.
- Put the .zip on the device where you want to restore, signed in to the destination account.
Step 2: import it into Refract
- Install Refract on iOS or Android (links at the bottom of this page) and sign in.
- Open Settings → Import → Refract backup and pick the file.
- Review the preview: it shows what the file contains, category by category, and lets you untick anything you do not want.
- Start the import. It runs in the background with a progress bar; you can leave the app.
- Read the completion summary. Backup restores cannot be undone. Review the selected data carefully before starting.
What comes across
- Library: movies and shows with their status and watch dates, and every episode watched.
- Ratings, restored exactly as saved; reviews and comments on movies, shows and episodes.
- Diary entries and the days they belong to.
- Your own lists with their items, and the lists you followed; favourites pinned to your profile; custom artwork.
- Profile bio, links and preferences, only where the destination's fields are still empty.
What does not, or only partly
- Password, login tokens and devices are never in the backup.
- Followers and social graph are not restored; follow people again from the new account.
Frequently asked questions
Is the backup readable without Refract?
Yes. The ZIP contains CSV tables you can open in any spreadsheet app, next to the JSON Refract uses for the restore.
Will the import overwrite what I already have in Refract?
Imports merge data into your library. Review the source-specific preview and completion summary to see what is included.
Is importing free?
Yes. Imports, like the rest of the tracker, are free with no ads and no paywall. Refract Pro is optional cosmetic supporter tiers only.
Can I undo this import?
Backup restores cannot be undone. Review the selected data carefully before starting.
Related
Bring your a Refract backup history to Refract
Free, no ads, on iOS and Android. Backup restores cannot be undone. Review the selected data carefully before starting.