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Data Sync

With MyStuff2 Pro you can have your data automatically synced between your own devices using iCloud. This lets you see your data on all of your devices running MyStuff2 Pro.

You can also share a database with other users of MyStuff2 Pro.

Please note that all synced data stored in iCloud are encrypted using industry standard AES 256 encryption algorithms. The encryption is done in MyStuff2 Pro on your device before being sent to iCloud.

How do I setup iCloud on my device?

In order to use automatic data sync in MyStuff2 Pro, you must be logged into iCloud on your device using your Apple ID. For most users, this has already been done as part of initially setting up your device.

iOS Devices

If you have not already done so, log into your device using your Apple ID. Run the Settings app on your iOS device. Scroll all the way to the top on the main Settings screen. If you see your name then you are already logged in. If not, login with your Apple ID.

Once you are logged into your account, make sure the iCloud Drive option is enabled. Without this option enabled you will not be able to sync your data in MyStuff2 Pro.

On the Apple ID screen, tap on iCloud. On the iCloud screen, tap on iCloud Drive. Ensure the "Sync this iPhone (or iPad)" option is enabled. Devices with older versions of iOS will see different screens. On the iCloud screen, scroll down and make sure the iCloud Drive option is enabled, Then scroll down further to the list of apps and make sure MyStuff2 Pro is enabled.

macOS Devices

If you have not already done so, log into your device using your Apple ID. Run the System Settings app on your Mac. Scroll all the way to the top on the main Settings screen. If you see your name then you are already logged in. If not, login with your Apple ID.

Once you are logged into your account, make sure the iCloud Drive option is enabled. Without this option enabled you will not be able to sync your data in MyStuff2 Pro.

Click on your name/Apple ID in the top-left corner of the Settings screen. In the right side, click on iCloud. Then click on iCloud Drive. Ensure the "Sync this Mac" option is enabled. This may require authenticating with an admin account.

All Devices

Once you are logged into your iCloud account and you have enabled iCloud Drive for MyStuff2 Pro, then you are all set to sync your MyStuff2 Pro data across your devices.

To verify that iCloud can be used with MyStuff2 Pro, run MyStuff2 Pro.

  • On iOS, go to Tools, then Databases.
  • On macOS, bring up the app menu and select Settings..., then click on the Databases tab.
At the top will be a section labeled Databases followed by your databases. Initially you will have just one named Default. Further down you will see a section named iCloud Status. If everything is setup correctly it will show Active with either the name associated with your Apple ID or it will say Current iCloud Account.

There are four possible statuses you will see under iCloud Account.

Active
This is what you want to see. This means iCloud is setup correctly on your device and you can sync your MyStuff2 Pro data between your devices and share data with other users of MyStuff2 Pro.
No Account
This means that iCloud is not setup fully on your device. Review the information above and make sure you are logged into your Apple ID and the iCloud Drive option is enabled as well as enabled for MyStuff2 Pro on the iCloud screen.
Restricted
This means that you do not have permission to use or setup iCloud on your device. This can be due to parental controls or due to mobile device management. This needs to be addressed by whomever controls your device (parent or boss/work, for example).
Unknown
If MyStuff2 Pro was unable to obtain the current status, it will show as unknown. An error message may be shown. Try restarting MyStuff2 Pro and try rebooting your device. Verify iCloud is setup as described above. If you still have an issue, contact support.
How do I sync a database between my own devices?

The first requirement is to setup iCloud with the same Apple ID on each of your devices that will run MyStuff2 Pro.. Make sure MyStuff2 Pro is showing a status of Active for the iCloud Status as described in the previous question.

To sync an existing database, tap the Edit button on the Databases screen. Then tap on the database you wish to sync. This brings up the Edit Database screen. Enable the Sync with iCloud option and tap Save on the Edit Database screen.

You will now be asked to confirm that you wish to convert the local database to a synced database. Tap Yes to sync the database. At this point the database will be synced with the associated iCloud account. This process can take anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes depending on how much data, pictures, and item attachments are in the database. During this initial sync the database will be read-only. It is best to leave MyStuff2 Pro running and active until the sync process completes. This means you should not let the screen turn off or use any other app. If you only leave MyStuff2 Pro for a minute or two and come back then it should be OK. If you do leave MyStuff2 Pro for more than a couple of miutes, the sync will likely be interrupted and the sync process will start over when you return to MyStuff2 Pro. This means it will take longer to complete.

Tap Done on the Database screen. Note that a synced database shows a lot more information than a local database on the Databases screen.

The synced database can now be accessed in MyStuff2 Pro running on any other device logged into the same Apple ID and has iCloud setup. Please note that the other copies of MyStuff2 Pro must also complete an initial sync of the newly shared database.

Now any changes you make in one copy of the synced database will appear automatically on the other devices syncing the same database.

How do I stop syncing a database?

Go to the Databases screen. Tap the Edit button and then tap on the database you wish to stop syncing. The Edit Database screen will appear. Turn off the Sync with iCloud option. Tap Save on the Edit Database screen.

You will be asked to confirm that you wish to stop syncing the database. Keep in mind that the database will be converted to a local (unsynced) database on your current device and it will be completely removed from all other devices it was synced with.

How do I share a database with other users of MyStuff2 Pro?

In order for users with different Apple IDs to share a database in MyStuff2 Pro such that they can both see the same data automatically, both users must have MyStuff2 Pro and their device (or devices) need to be setup with iCloud.

For the following description, the user that has a database that will be shared with one or more other users will be called the owner. The owner is the person that has the original database to be shared. The owner has control over who has access to the shared database.

To share a database with other users, the owner must first setup the database to sync via iCloud as described in the previous question. Once that is done (if not done already), move on to the next step.

To share a synced database with other users, the owner goes to the Databases screen and taps the ⓘ icon to the right of the synced database to be shared. At the top of the menu that appears, tap on Manage User Sharing. This presents an OS-provided screen to add people. Ultimately the invitation process involves sending a special link to the other users that they will need to open on their device that has (or will have) MyStuff2 Pro installed. So choose how you will send the invitation. Then choose the users to send it to.

Note that only the people you directly choose will actually be able to accept the invitation and see the shared database. If anyone else gets hold of the invitation, they will not be able to gain access to the shared database unless the owner explicitly adds them via Manage User Sharing.

When inviting users you also have the option of specifying whether the user will have full access to the shared database or just read-only access to the shared database.

Once you send out the first invitation, you can go back to Manage User Sharing as needed. You can see who is currently invited and who has accepted. You can remove individual users or you can change their permission to full or read-only. Lastly, you can stop sharing the database with any other users.

Any changes made to a database by the owner or any accepted users will appear automatically for the other users sharing the same database.

If the owner removes an individual or stops sharing the database, the database will eventually be removed from those users' devices.

How do I stop sharing a database with other users I've invited?

Once you send out the first invitation, you can go back to Manage User Sharing as needed. You can see who is currently invited and who has accepted. You can remove individual users or you can change their permission to full or read-only. Lastly, you can stop sharing the database completely.

If the owner removes an individual or stops sharing the database, the database will eventually be removed from those users' devices.

How do I share only certain categories or items in a database?

This can't be done. Sharing is done at the database level.

How can I limit what other people can do to a database I shared with them?

By using the Manage User Sharing menu, the owner can choose whether each user has full access to the shared database or whether each user can only view the data. Any user that has full access to the shared database can make any changes that the owner can make except for the following:

  • Delete the database (though they can disconnect from the shared database which will remove the shared database from their own devices).
  • Restore a backup over the database.
  • Manage user sharing (though they can manage their own access).
What actually happens when I share a database?

All databases in MyStuff2 Pro are stored locally on your device. When you choose to share a database, another copy of the data, pictures, and attachments are sent to iCloud. This data is then kept in sync between iCloud and all copies of MyStuff2 Pro setup to share/sync the database.

When you make a data change in MyStuff2 Pro on a given device, the changes are made locally and then the changes are sent to iCloud to update its copy of the data. As you use MyStuff2 Pro on other devices (whether at the same time or later on), those devices are notified that there are changes and the updated data is downloaded to the other devices. The changes are then used to update the local copy of the data in MyStuff2 Pro.

How do I avoid syncing over my cellular data plan?

MyStuff2 Pro doesn't have direct support for WiFi-only data sync but you can setup your iOS device to prevent MyStuff2 Pro (or any other app) from accessing data over a cellular connection.

Run the Settings app on your cellular iOS device. Then select Cellular. On the Cellular screen scroll down to the "Cellular Data" section. You will see a list of apps with a switch next to each one. Turn off the switch next to any app that you don't wish to use your cellular data plan to access data from the Internet.

Turning this off for MyStuff2 Pro will ensure that data sync is only done when you have an active WiFi connection. And changes made to data while away from a WiFi connection will be synced once you get back to a WiFi connection.

Why won't my database sync over cellular?

There are two settings that both must be enabled in order for MyStuff2 Pro to be able to sync data while using a cellular connection to the Internet.

Run the Settings app on your cellular iOS device. Then select Cellular. Scroll down to the "Cellular Data" section. In the list of apps, find MyStuff2 Pro and make sure it is enabled. Then scroll down to near the bottom and find "iCloud Drive". This must also be enabled.

Once both MyStuff2 Pro and iCloud Drive are enabled for cellular data, MyStuff2 Pro will be able to sync with iCloud while using a cellular data connection.

Why is my database read-only?

There are times when a shared database will become read-only. You know a shared database is read-only when you see the following:

  • The cloud icon ☁ changes to the read-only icon ⊘ next to the database name on the Categories, Locations, Actions, and Tools screens.
  • The Edit button on most screens is disabled.
  • (iOS) The Data Transfer screen doesn't have the Restore Database or Import Data options.
  • (macOS) The File menu will have the Restore Database... and Import Data... menus disabled.
  • On the Databases screen, the database will have the 🚫 icon.

To determine why a database is read-only, go to the Databases screen (iOS: Tools -> Databases, macOS: Settings -> Databases). First look below the list of databases at the iCloud Status section. There you will see one of four possible status values:

No Account
This means your device is not fully logged into iCloud and setup to use iCloud Drive. Please review the question above near the top titled "How do I setup iCloud on my device?".
Restricted
This means you do not have permission on this device to use iCloud. Please review the question above near the top titled "How do I setup iCloud on my device?".
Unknown
There was some unknown issue preventing MyStuff2 Pro from knowing the status of your iCloud access. Try rebooting your device. Then wait a couple of minutes and then launch MyStuff2 Pro again.

If that doesn't resolve the issue and you are using iOS 15 or later then you may need to accept some updated terms and conditions for your iCloud account. Once that is done you should have proper iCloud access again.
Active
This means you have proper access to iCloud. If you see this then the problem is with a specific database. Look at the entry for your database and continue with the information below for details on why a database is read-only.

There are a few reasons why a database is read-only. A read-only database will show a reason below the name of the database next to the 🚫 icon. Below is a set of reasons and steps to take to resolve the issue.

Read-only permission
This will appear for a database if another user of MyStuff2 Pro is sharing the database with you but they have only granted you the ability to view the data and not change the data. Only the owner of the database can change this permission.
Not logged into iCloud
Go to the Databases screen and look at the iCloud Status section under the Databases section. If it doesn't say "Active" then you do not have iCloud setup on this device. Please see the second question above for details on setting up iCloud on your device.
Not Found in iCloud
This means that the database can't currently be found in your iCloud account. One possible cause is that you are currently logged into a different iCloud account than the one used to orginally sync the database. The database will remain read-only until you log into the original iCloud account on your device.

Another possibility is that the database no longer exists in iCloud. Normally that would trigger the database to be removed from MyStuff2 Pro as well but under some unsual conditions, that might not happen. In this case you cap tap the ⓘ icon and select Convert to Local or Force Delete depending on whether you wish to keep the database or not.

The last possibility is that there was an error attempting to locate the database in iCloud, possibly due to a poor Internet connection. If you know that the database was not created under a different account, you could try restarting MyStuff2 Pro or even rebooting your device. Or verify your device has working access to the Internet.
Creating
The synced database is completing its initial sync. When you first sync a database it must complete its initial sync before the database can be used again. The database should show some sort of status indicating that it is busy completing the sync. You need to keep MyStuff2 Pro running and active (do not let the screen go dark) until the initial sync completes.
Needs to be migrated
MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 completely changes how a database is shared with other users of MyStuff2 Pro. If you are the owner of a database that was shared with other users and the database was setup with MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4 or earlier, then you must perform a one-time migration. NOTE: Only do this once from one device. Tap the ⓘ icon and select Migrate Database from the menu. This will resync the database in your iCloud account. Once that sync is complete you will need to reinvite any users you wish to continue sharing the database with. Please see the earlier question above with details on sharing a database with other users.
Owner needs to migrate
MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 completely changes how a database is shared with other users of MyStuff2 Pro. If you were invited to share another user's database using MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4 or earlier, you will not have access to that database until the owner updates to MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 or later and they complete the steps in the previous paragraph.
Newer Version
The shared database is in use by a newer version of MyStuff2 Pro. If MyStuff2 Pro is updated to a newer version on one or more devices then any devices still using an older version of MyStuff2 Pro may go into read-only mode. Simply update to the latest version of MyStuff2 Pro.

If none of those reasons seem to apply, please see the Why is my database read-only? topic on the FAQ / Tutorials page.

Compatibility between MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 (or later) and MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4

Note: As of MyStuff2 Pro 7.3.1 it is no longer possible to sync a database with MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4. Once you run MyStuff2 Pro 7.3.1 or later the synced database will be updated in a way that MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4 can't read and the older MyStuff2 Pro will show all of the sycned databases as read-only due to it being a newer version. There is no solution to this since there is no way to update the older version of MyStuff2 Pro to work with the newer version.

MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 requires the use of iOS 11.0 or later. MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4 supports iOS 9 - 12. If you have older and newer devices using these two different versions of MyStuff2 Pro, you can still sync your data between them. But this only works for any database setup for syncing using the older version of MyStuff2 Pro and for the iCloud Private account.

Any new database setup in MyStuff2 Pro 7.0 will not sync to MyStuff2 Pro 6.6.4. If you need to create a new database that you want to sync between the older and newer versions of MyStuff2 Pro, create the database on a device running the older version of MyStuff2 Pro and be sure you only add it to the iCloud Private account.

Databases setup to be shared in the older version of MyStuff2 Pro using the iCloud Shared account are not compatible with the newer version of MyStuff2 Pro. Either all users of a shared databsse must use the newer version of MyStuff2 Pro or all users of a shared database must use the older version of MyStuff2 Pro.