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Changes to MYOB AccountRight offline mode

Mike_MYOB's avatar
Mike_MYOB
Community Manager
2 months ago

15/06/2026

Hi all, a note to let you know that we have updated our help information to make it clearer for customers to understand the process of moving their file online.
Particularly, the step around updating your serial number in product seems to catch a few people.
Please check out the information here. It is important to note that these steps will only work until the 17th June when the changes to offline mode take place.
We will update the help again with the process for going online after the 17th (once the change has gone through)

**Updated with new FAQs 21/04 - please scroll down

Hello Accountant and Bookkeeper community.

An important update was emailed to our partners yesterday, but I am posting an update here as well for any who might have missed it (and because it is being discussed in the forum already). 

From 17 June 2026, MYOB AccountRight desktop app (PC edition) will only work with company files stored online.
Offline mode will no longer be available, and from version 2026.5 (PC edition) you’ll no longer be able to open, edit or save files stored locally (in My Library or Network Library).

 

AccountRight desktop isn’t going anywhere. The only change is that your company file will need to be online to receive product and security updates, support, and online services. 

 

If you’re currently using an offline AccountRight file with an active subscription, you need to move your file online before 17 June 2026 to continue to access AccountRight . There’s no additional cost to move your existing subscribed file online.

Why are we making this change?   

The offline version of MYOB AccountRightdesktop is built on technology that no longer meets today’s performance standards. Moving online will:  

  • Improve performance, reliability and security, such as 2FA and regular online back-ups  
  • Ensure MYOB AccountRight is built on current, supported technology  
  • Deliver faster and more frequent improvements, including stronger AI capabilities  
  • Align with industry best practice and evolving needs of our customers   

We remain committed to supporting your business far into the future. Our focus is shifting to investing in our next generation of online products and modern technology that reflects the evolving needs of our customers, delivering solutions that save time, increase efficiency, and improve collaboration between small businesses and their advisors. 

 

We’ve put together an overview of what’s changing and how to move your file online linked here

Please note, that any SME customers who need to take action have been sent a reminder communication on Wednesday 5th June.

 

If your clients are not ready to move their file online by 17 June 2026, MYOB AccountRight Server Edition is a temporary solution that may support working offline for the short-term.

Please note, Server Edition will only support offline files from version 2026.5. To access online files, customers will need to download and install the latest version of MYOB AccountRight PC edition or login to MYOB AccountRight in the browser.

 

Learn more about what’s changing  and how to move files online


Updated FAQs 21/04

There is a legal requirement for businesses to keep records for 7 years – can I access an old back up for these purposes?
  • Yes. You can continue to meet your 7-year record-keeping obligations with your existing offline backups. Here's how: 
    • For audit/view-only purposes – You can restore older backups in any AccountRight PC edition version prior to 2026.5 to view files. These versions remain available on our website at myob.com/downloads. 
    • For active files – If you have an active subscription, you can access prior years directly from your browser without restoring a backup. 
How can I view an old offline file after this change? 
  • To open an old offline file, customers can download a previous version of MYOB AccountRight PC Edition and use that to open, access, or interact with an offline file.
    • PC Edition
      We currently host previous versions of MYOB AccountRight on our website, and we have no immediate plans to change that. Please note that due to monthly automatic software updates, you will need to download and reinstall that previous version of PC Edition if you want to access the offline file on an ongoing basis.
    • Server Edition
      If you need to interact with old offline files on a regular basis, downloading and installing Server Edition will enable you to have offline access and it won’t be impacted by our monthly automatic updates.


    • We strongly encourage customers to move their files online to ensure access to future features and security enhancements.
      In both cases (Server Edition and older versions of the PC Edition) there are risks. At some point, this software will be phased out, and the file will need to be moved online. After 17 June 2026, Server Edition will only receive bug fixes, not any future features or security enhancements.
      For perpetual licence holders, for now, you will continue to be able to access your file offline using one of the above-mentioned options.
What happens to my specific version of an AR offline file? 
  • MYOB AccountRight Classic / V19 
    • Can be opened in Classic/V19. The file will fail confirmation and become read-only, but you can still view files for audit purposes. 
  • MYOB AccountRight PC Edition 
    • From version 2026.5 onward, there will be no offline capability.
    • Older versions remain available for download on our website, and backups can be restored to view and edit, provided you have an active licence (perpetual licence or current paying SaaS licence).
    • Important: MYOB AccountRight auto-updates to the latest version each month, so if you do install an older version of PC Edition, this old version would need to be re-installed if you needed to access an offline file again in future. 
  • MYOB AccountRight Server Edition 
    • From version 2026.5 Server Edition will be offline-only.
    • However, MYOB AccountRight Server Edition is not a long-term solution. At some point, this software will be phased out, and the file will need to be moved online.
    • After 17 June 2026, Server Edition will only receive bug fixes, not any future features or security enhancements.
How do I view previous years' data for an active file with a subscription? 
  • In MYOB AccountRight desktop You can override your current online live file by restoring an old backup OR download an old version of PC edition or install Server Edition and restore the backup locally (offline)

  • In MYOB AccountRight browser – If your primary need is to view historical data for audits or reporting, the browser version is the simplest, most future-ready method. If you can’t see previous answers about installing PC or server edition You don't need any backup. Simply change the date range and you can view previous years' data directly. Financial year restrictions on reports have been removed — for example, you can now generate profit and loss comparative reports from 2012–2020 via browser (which is not possible in desktop).
I upgraded from V19/Classic to the latest offline version, what does this change mean for me? 

We have three options available for you to consider: 

  • Move your file online. Take advantage of online capabilities that MYOB AccountRight has to offer. These include:
    • Automatic cloud backups protecting your data without manual effort
    • Live bank feeds that are more up to date
    • Multi-user access — multiple people can work in your file at the same time
    • Faster access to the latest software updates as soon as they are released
    • Improved performance and upcoming AI-powered features
 
  • Move to Server Edition – This retains offline access and interaction with your file for now. Please note: AccountRight Server Edition is not a long-term solution. At some point, this software will be phased out, and the file will need to be moved online. After 17 June 2026, Server Edition will not receive any future feature or security enhancements and will only receive the bug fixes.

  • Return to Classic – You can view files in read-only mode for audit purposes, but you will not be able to edit offline. 

 

**Update 23/04

Hi all, apologies, I have made some incorrect statements in my replies, that I will work to update and correct.
But I am updating here as well to provide clarity to all.

This relates to MYOB AccountRight PC Edition, perpetual licence holders, or current subscribers exclusively using their file offline. 

    • From version 2026.5 onward, there will be no offline capability.
    • Older versions remain available for download on our website, and backups can be restored to view and edit, provided you have an active licence (perpetual licence or current paying SaaS licence).
      • **I had indicated in some of my replies, that access would be 'view only' but it is view AND edit.
    • Important: MYOB AccountRight auto-updates to the latest version each month, so if you do install an older version of PC Edition, this old version would need to be re-installed if you needed to access an offline file again in future. 
Updated 1 month ago
Version 5.0

139 Comments

  • Liz_A's avatar
    Liz_A
    Super User
    19 days ago

    Just letting you know this method doesn't need to be repeated. Once you have correctly set up the short cut, nothing further needs to be changed.

    Regards

    Liz

  • Mike_MYOB's avatar
    Mike_MYOB
    Community Manager
    19 days ago

    Hi toip​ , the migration team definitely have a lot of requests and it is taking them longer than usual to process these. Sorry for the frustration at a busy and critical time of year.

    Their migration teams advice currently is to continue working in your offline file (using Server Edition) until they reach out to you for access to the data/file. That way you are not interrupted while waiting for them.

    The concern for STP is valid however, you could also look at taking the upgrade to online AccountRight instead of MYOB Business as an option.
    With the discount being offered, I believe it is similar and provides you another 12 months to work through future changes (if MYOB Business is the way to go long term)

    You can purchase the subscription and move your file online in AccountRight entirely yourself through some updated workflows.
    The information is available here if you're interested

  • Robyn67's avatar
    Robyn67
    Member
    13 days ago

    how to do this when the update is already forced to the latest, I had to download 2026.4.0 to be able to open my file and in there it already has the update!  This is a joke, I do not want to be forced into a subscription when I purchased a perpetual license.

  • Liz_A's avatar
    Liz_A
    Super User
    13 days ago

    If you have a recent backup, then you can uninstall the latest version, download the previous software, disconnect from the internet, install and then stop allowing updates as per random_nuggets post, reconnect the internet, restore your previous file and continue from there without updates. Your file will continue to confirm because you have a Perpetual Licence. If you don't have a backup, then contact FGH Tables who can restore your file to the previous version.

    Cheers

    Liz

  • Mike_MYOB's avatar
    Mike_MYOB
    Community Manager
    12 days ago

    Hi Robyn67​ , there are options available for perpetual customers who do not want to take a subscription.
    Liz has provided options in her reply already, and the options provided by MYOB is to install and use Server Edition which will continue to work with offline files but will no longer receive any further software updates.   

  • AKMTony's avatar
    AKMTony
    Trusted Cover User
    9 days ago

    Dear Liz, could you please then instruct me as to the correct way to setup the short cut?
    I re-installed version 2026.4 just now. I opened my file to check the data was up to date.
    Inside of a minute I received a message that the program had updated to 2026.5.
    I do not want to upgrade the program as I then have to go through the previously described process of accessing my off line file. 
    Regards Tony.

    PS, now installed the server edition. Migrating my fund to BGL Simple Fund 360 as I have had it with MYOBs lack of support & care. I will also close down my online file in due course for the same reason.

  • Liz_A's avatar
    Liz_A
    Super User
    9 days ago

    Hi Tony

    FYI if needed - the process is as follows:

    Uninstall the latest version. Download the previous version. Disconnect from the Internet and install this version. Change the update.EXE file name as per previous instructions on the forum. Reconnect the Internet and your shortcut should be on the desktop in order to open or restore the file in the correct version.
    Cheers

    Liz

  • toip's avatar
    toip
    Experienced User
    4 days ago

    Yes, but will the Migration team continue to work on a case which is showing in the system as "Closed"??? I don't understand why twice now, my active cases have been marked as "Resolved" and then closed. In both cases, without any contact with me. Is this an automatic system feature, which is designed to make the fault resolution process look more efficient than it is? Or is somebody really taking it on themselves to close active cases without consultation with the case owner?

  • Mike_MYOB's avatar
    Mike_MYOB
    Community Manager
    3 days ago

    Hi toip​ , if you can share your case reference/s I can take a look. Most likely a closed case will not be further reviewed. 
    One thing that comes to mind here, could be how you have created the request for migration?
    The migration requests need to be submitted via the webform here and not via creating a case in myaccount.myob.com.
    Let me know your case number/s and I will see what I can find