> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tribalfs.gitbook.io/accountant/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tribalfs.gitbook.io/accountant/help/faq.md). # FAQ and troubleshooting Quick answers to common questions. ## Getting started
Do I need an account to use Accountant? No. Your ledger lives on your phone and the app works offline. A Google account is only needed if you turn on [Sync across devices](/accountant/sync-and-sharing/sync-across-devices.md).
How do I remove the demo data? **Settings › Remove demo data**. Your own records are kept. The option is only shown while demo data is present.
Which transaction type should I use? See the table in [The six transaction types](/accountant/transactions/transaction-types.md). In short: **Pay money** for spending from cash or a bank, **Buy on credit** for card purchases, **Transfer money** between your own accounts, and **Receive money** for money coming in.
## Recording
The editor says "Out of balance". What does that mean? The two sides of the transaction don't add up yet. Check the amounts of each item against the total. For an adjustment, make sure the increases (+) and decreases (−) offset each other. See [the basic accounting equation](/accountant/fundamentals/understanding-the-basic-accounting-equation.md).
I paid my credit card and now my expenses look doubled. The card payment was probably recorded as an expense. Edit it so the item is the **credit card account** (under **Other accounts**), not an expense. See [Money spent isn't always an expense](/accountant/fundamentals/money-spent-is-not-always-an-expense.md).
Why can't I change an account's currency? Once an account has amounts recorded, its currency is locked. Create a new account in the other currency and record a **Transfer** between the two. See [Multi-currency](/accountant/transactions/multi-currency.md).
A report shows "—" instead of an amount. An exchange rate is missing for that date. Open the account, tap the currency button (for example **EUR → USD**) and add the rate. See [Multi-currency](/accountant/transactions/multi-currency.md).
My scheduled transaction posted a few minutes late. That's expected. Android groups alarms to save battery, so reminders and automatic posting arrive within about 10 minutes, or later while the phone is idle. The transaction keeps its scheduled date. See [Scheduled and recurring transactions](/accountant/transactions/scheduled-and-recurring.md).
## Sync and sharing
The other person's file isn't in the file picker. Open **Google Drive › Shared with me** in the picker and use the search box. If it's still missing, wait half a minute, and ask them to check that they added you. If the picker has no **Drive** entry at all, the Google Drive app is turned off: enable it in Android **Settings › Apps › Drive**. See [Shared ledger](/accountant/sync-and-sharing/shared-ledger.md).
A change from another device hasn't arrived. Devices sync when the app is opened, after a change, and when you pull down on **Transactions**. Open the app on the other device, then pull down to refresh on yours.
Is my ledger safe in Google Drive? It's in your own Google Drive, protected by your Google account. Accountant can only see the files it created or that you picked. We never receive your ledger. See the [Privacy Policy](/accountant/agreements/privacy-policy.md).
## AI
Do I need AI? No. Everything except the chat and AI insights works without it, and receipts can still be read by the basic on-device reader.
AI says my API key isn't accepted, or I'm out of credits. Check the key in **Settings › AI features**, and check your balance and limits in the provider's billing settings. See [Setting up AI Accountant](/accountant/ai-accountant/setting-up-ai.md).
On-device AI is very slow. Large models can take minutes per reply on some phones. Try a smaller model, set **Processor** to **Automatic**, or use a cloud provider.
## Bank alerts
No drafts appear from my bank's alerts. Open **Settings › Bank alerts** and check: * **Allow notification access** isn't showing. If it is, tap it and turn access on. * The account's switch is on, and its row names the bank. If it says *"Set its bank in Bank details"* or *"Add its bank to its name"*, do that. * The source (**Text messages**, **Email** or **Bank and e-wallet apps**) is on. * **Recent alerts** says what happened to each alert. *Hidden by Android* means Android 15 hid the text, so record it yourself. See [Drafts from bank alerts](/accountant/transactions/bank-alerts.md).
## Data
How do I move to a new phone? Turn on [Sync across devices](/accountant/sync-and-sharing/sync-across-devices.md) on the old phone and let it sync. On the new phone, install Accountant, turn on sync with the same Google account and choose **Use the cloud copy**. Without sync, use **Create backup** on the old phone, copy the file to the new one, and use **Restore from backup**. See [Backup and restore](/accountant/your-data/backup-and-export.md).
I forgot my backup password. A password-protected backup can't be opened without its password, and we can't recover it. Create a new backup.
I imported the wrong file. Use **Settings › Undo last import** (only until the import syncs, if sync is on). See [Importing](/accountant/your-data/importing.md).
How do I delete all my data? Uninstall the app or clear its storage in Android settings. If you used sync, also delete the **Accountant sync** and `.accountant_dont_delete` folders from your Google Drive. See the [Privacy Policy](/accountant/agreements/privacy-policy.md#11-keeping-and-deleting-your-data).
## Still stuck? Email ****, or use **Settings › Contact us**. Include your Android version and what you were doing. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://tribalfs.gitbook.io/accountant/help/faq.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.