Simple Business Manager help

When you see

• Library Unavailable
• This library came from another device, for example a new phone set up from a backup. Its encryption key stays on the original device, so this copy cannot be opened here. Nothing has been deleted.

What it means

Your library is encrypted with a key that stays on the device that created it. A device set up from an iPhone or iPad backup can receive the library file without its key, so this copy cannot be read here. Nothing was deleted.

What to do

1. If you used iCloud sync, choose Start with an empty library. The unreadable copy is kept on this device. Then open Settings, turn on Sync with iCloud, and wait for your businesses to return.
2. If you have an export, choose Recover from an exported backup (or Import business library in Settings after starting empty) and pick the export file.
3. If neither applies, keep the original device and its library. On that device, export the library or turn on iCloud sync, then bring it to the new device.

When you see

• Your library could not be opened. Nothing was overwritten. Unlock your device and restart the app.

What it means

The app could not read its saved library, often because the device was locked or still starting up. The saved library was not changed.

What to do

1. Unlock your iPhone or iPad, close Business Manager from the app switcher, and open it again.
2. If the message stays, restart the device and try again.
3. If it still appears, contact support with your app version and device model before choosing Recover from an exported backup, which replaces the library on this device.

When you see

• App Lock needs a device passcode. Turn on a passcode in iOS Settings, then try again.
• Authentication failed. Try again.

What it means

App Lock uses your device's Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. It cannot turn on without a device passcode, and Apple handles each authentication.

What to do

1. Turn on a passcode in iOS Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), then return to Business Manager → Settings → App Lock.
2. If Face ID or Touch ID fails, try again or use your device passcode when asked.
3. App Lock is not a separate password; there is nothing to reset in the app.

When you see

• This device and iCloud both changed since the last sync. Nothing was overwritten. Choose which copy to keep.
• iCloud may have saved this snapshot, but its local sync receipt could not be stored. Automatic sync stopped to protect both copies. Choose which copy to keep.
• Use the iCloud copy on this device
• Replace the iCloud copy with this device

What it means

Two devices changed the library before they synced, or the app could not confirm a save. Sync stops rather than overwrite either copy.

What to do

1. Compare the library on each device and decide which one has the records you want to keep.
2. Before choosing, use Export business library first to keep a copy of this device's library.
3. On a device with the right library, choose Replace the iCloud copy with this device. On a device that should match iCloud, choose Use the iCloud copy on this device. Each choice asks for confirmation; changes that exist only in the copy you replace are lost.

When you see

• The iCloud Keychain sync key is unavailable. Unlock iCloud Keychain and retry; no new key was created.
• iCloud Keychain is temporarily unavailable. Unlock your device and retry.
• This device's iCloud sync key doesn't match the key that locked the iCloud copy, so it can't be opened here.

What it means

The iCloud copy is encrypted with a key shared through iCloud Keychain. A device that hasn't received the key yet, or has a different one, cannot open the iCloud copy.

What to do

1. Make sure iCloud Keychain (Passwords and Keychain) is on in iOS Settings → your name → iCloud on every device, and that each device is signed in to the same Apple Account.
2. Unlock the device, wait a few minutes after setting it up, then tap Retry sync in Settings.
3. If the key still doesn't match, choose Replace the iCloud copy with this device on the device with the library you want to keep. Export that library first.

When you see

• Sign in to iCloud (or allow iCloud for this app) in iOS Settings, then tap Retry sync. Your library is safe on this device.
• Your iCloud storage is full, so sync stopped. Free up iCloud space, then tap Retry sync. Your library is safe on this device.
• iCloud is unavailable. Your local library was not changed.

What it means

Sync needs a signed-in Apple Account with iCloud allowed for Business Manager and enough iCloud storage. Your library on this device was not changed.

What to do

1. Open iOS Settings → your name → iCloud. Sign in if needed, and check that iCloud is allowed for Business Manager.
2. If storage is full, free up iCloud space or choose a larger plan in iOS Settings.
3. Return to Business Manager → Settings and tap Retry sync.

When you see

• The iCloud copy was saved by a different version of Business Manager. Update the app on all your devices, then tap Retry sync. Nothing was changed.
• iCloud rejected this sync request

What it means

Another device saved the library with a newer or older version of the app. Nothing was changed on this device.

What to do

1. Update Business Manager from the App Store on every device that syncs.
2. Open the app on each device, then tap Retry sync in Settings.

When you see

• A business or document I added on one device is missing on another.

What it means

Sync runs while the app is open. It does not sync in the background, so changes wait until the app is open on both devices.

What to do

1. Open Business Manager on the device where you made the change and leave it open for a moment.
2. Open Business Manager on the other device. Check that both use the same Apple Account and have Sync with iCloud turned on.
3. If Settings shows a sync message, follow the matching guide on this page.

When you see

• Where do I add a document?
• Scanning isn't available on this device.

What it means

Documents and receipts are added from the Documents tab by scanning with the camera or importing from Files or Photos.

What to do

1. Open the Documents tab and tap the + button. With no documents yet, use the Import from Photos, Import from Files or Scan buttons instead.
2. Choose Scan, From Files or From Photos, then add a title, category and optional receipt details.
3. Scanning needs a device camera. If scanning isn't available, take a photo and use From Photos, or import a PDF from Files.

When you see

• Files must be 10 MB or smaller.
• Use an unlocked PDF, JPEG or PNG.
• The file could not be read.
• Scans are limited to 30 pages.
• The scan could not be saved. Try again.

What it means

Each document must be an unlocked PDF, JPEG or PNG of 10 MB or less. Scans can have up to 30 pages.

What to do

1. Check the file type. Remove a PDF password in the app that created it, or export or save the file as a PDF, JPEG or PNG.
2. For a large file, save a smaller copy (for example, a lower-resolution scan) or split a long scan into parts.
3. If a file still can't be read, open it in Files to confirm it isn't damaged, then try again.

When you see

• This file is …, but only … of the 100 MB document library is left (all businesses). Delete documents you no longer need, then try again.

What it means

Documents and receipts across all businesses share 100 MB of storage in the app.

What to do

1. Delete documents you no longer need from the Documents tab (swipe left on a row, or touch and hold it).
2. Keep originals you need elsewhere before deleting them from the app.
3. Add the file again, or save a smaller copy first.

When you see

• Export business library?
• Contains everything in this app, including EINs, documents and logos, as readable JSON. Anyone with the file can read it.

What it means

An export is one readable file containing every business, document, receipt, logo and date in the app. It is not encrypted.

What to do

1. Open Settings → Backup → Export business library, then choose Create export.
2. Choose where to save the file, such as a folder in Files you control.
3. Store the export somewhere private. Anyone with the file can read everything in it, including EINs.

When you see

• Import business library
• Replace this library?
• This file is not a Business Manager backup or export. Nothing was changed.
• This file is too large to restore, or it cannot be read. Nothing was changed.

What it means

Importing replaces everything in the app on this device with the contents of an export. It does not merge records.

What to do

1. Open Settings → Backup → Import business library (or Restore an existing library when the app has no businesses), then tap Choose export file.
2. Pick a Business Manager export. If the app says the file isn't an export or can't be read, nothing was changed; check that you chose the right file.
3. Confirm Replace only if you want this device's library replaced. Export the current library first if you might need it. With iCloud sync on, the imported library is sent to iCloud like any other change; if another device also changed, sync stops and asks which copy to keep.

When you see

• Where is Delete business?
• Business Not Deleted

What it means

A business is deleted from its editor. Deleting it removes its documents, projects, resources, events and other records from this device and, with sync on, from your other devices.

What to do

1. On Home, tap the pencil (Edit) button.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Delete business, then confirm.
3. Deleting cannot be undone in the app. Export the library first if you might need the records again.

When you see

• The free version includes 1 business.
• The free version includes 5 documents and receipts.
• The free version includes 2 projects.

What it means

The free version includes 1 business, 5 documents and receipts, and 2 projects, counted across all businesses. Business Manager Pro is a one-time purchase that removes these limits.

What to do

1. Open Settings to see how many of each you use.
2. Records above a limit (for example, after an import) stay available and editable; adding more needs Pro.
3. Choose Upgrade to Pro in Settings to unlock unlimited businesses, documents and projects.

When you see

• No Pro purchase was found for this Apple Account.
• Your purchase is waiting for approval. Pro unlocks automatically once it is approved.
• The App Store could not verify this purchase. You have not been unlocked; try Restore Purchases later.

What it means

Pro is tied to the Apple Account that bought it. Restoring Pro restores purchase access, not your business library.

What to do

1. Open Settings and tap Restore Purchases while signed in to the Apple Account used for the purchase.
2. If a family organizer must approve purchases (Ask to Buy), Pro unlocks after approval.
3. For billing questions or refunds, use Apple's purchase support at reportaproblem.apple.com; Apple decides refund eligibility.

When you see

• Reminder off: notifications disabled
• Notifications are off for Business Manager, so this reminder will not appear.
• Notifications are off in Settings.
• This reminder time has already passed, so no notification will be sent.

What it means

Reminders are delivered as notifications on this device. They need notification permission, and a reminder time in the past is not sent.

What to do

1. Tap Turn on notifications in the event, or open iOS Settings → Notifications → Business Manager and allow notifications.
2. Open the event and check that its reminder is set to a time that hasn't passed.
3. Reminders are scheduled on each device; open Business Manager on a device after syncing so its reminders are set up there too.