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Changes to MYOB AccountRight offline mode

Mike_MYOB's avatar
Mike_MYOB
Community Manager
6 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 AccountRight desktop 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 4 months ago
Version 5.0

170 Comments

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  • Dean-'s avatar
    Dean-
    Member
    1 month ago

    Hi Mike_MYOB​, just a quick update.

    I took your clarification back to MYOB and was referred from Sales to Support. I emailed Support with the outstanding licence/Server Edition questions, but had no response at all.

    The case was then closed, and I sent a follow-up on Friday. It’s now Tuesday afternoon and I still haven’t heard anything.

    I’m pretty disappointed with the lack of communication, especially as this started back on 12 August.

     

    Is there a better way to get this in front of the right team?

  • Mike_MYOB's avatar
    Mike_MYOB
    Community Manager
    1 month ago

    Hey Dean-​ did you have more questions you need answered?

    Or were you wanting to help the support team understand the answers to these questions in the same way I have explained them?

    Let me know what you need and I should be able to help 

  • Dean-'s avatar
    Dean-
    Member
    1 month ago

    Thanks Mike_MYOB​ , your earlier explanation answered the general questions clearly.

     

    What I’m struggling with now is getting someone at MYOB to actually deal with my specific account/file and help me take it offline.

     

    Sales referred me to Support, Support hasn’t responded, and the case was then closed. I followed up again and still haven’t heard anything.

     

    I’ve deliberately left the company file at 2026.5 and haven’t opened/upgraded it in 2026.6 while I wait for this to be sorted, as I understand that changes the offline options.

     

    I’ve already taken another company file offline previously, which also came from an older outright-purchased MYOB licence. Having that flexibility was important to us when we moved from v19 to Live.

     

    Things are tight for us at the moment, so being able to move this file offline matters. We’d prefer to stay with MYOB and move back online later when it makes sense.

     

    If you can help get this in front of someone who can deal with the licence/account and the 2026.5 offline file, that’s really what I need.

  • jenniek's avatar
    jenniek
    Ultimate Partner
    1 month ago

    Hi Dean-​  where are you based? I'm sure there would be an MYOB Certified Consultant in your area who could visit or do this via remote Teamviewer or something. Unfortunately MYOB doesn't have a list of us on their website anymore - but there are plenty of us around in both NZ and Australia.

  • Dean-'s avatar
    Dean-
    Member
    1 month ago

    Thanks jenniek​, I’m in Auckland.

    I think I’m one step before that at the moment though. I understand the mechanics of Server Edition and already have another current company file running offline in SE, which I moved offline around 6–12 months ago.

    What I need now is for MYOB to deal with the licence/account side and make sure I can get/preserve this current 2026.5 file in a form that can be used offline.

    Once that part is sorted, I’d definitely be happy to use a local MYOB consultant if needed to help with the actual move (I've had help via Teamviewer before - can't remember who that was atm)  .

  • Dean-'s avatar
    Dean-
    Member
    1 month ago

    Hi Mike_MYOB​ , just tagging you as I realised my last reply may not have notified you.

     

    I’ve now had to open a new support case, #03346332, because the original case #03271361 was closed and Support still hasn’t responded to the licence/file issue.

     

    Your earlier explanation answered the general questions clearly. What I need now is simply to get the specific account/file in front of the right person at MYOB so I can get the current 2026.5 file offline.

     

    If you’re able to point this to the right team/person internally, I’d really appreciate it.

  • jenniek's avatar
    jenniek
    Ultimate Partner
    1 month ago

    Hi Dean-​ Mike_MYOB​ 

    My understanding of this would be request a backup of your 2026.5 file from MYOB be sent to you. If you open the file yourself - you will be forced to upgrade it - then it's all over and you wont be able to restore it offline. In theory it should still be in the version you say if it hasn't been opened. @Mike_MYOB should be able to help with this (hopefully) I am based in Hamilton if that helps.

  • Dean-'s avatar
    Dean-
    Member
    1 month ago

    Thanks jenniek​, yes that is exactly what I’m trying to achieve.

    Mike_MYOB​  I still haven’t had any response from Support and I really need to get this moving now. I’ve deliberately left the file at 2026.5 so it doesn’t get upgraded, but the delay is now holding up normal accounting/GST work.

    If you’re able to help get the 2026.5 backup request in front of the right person at MYOB, I’d really appreciate it.

  • Mike_MYOB's avatar
    Mike_MYOB
    Community Manager
    1 month ago

    Hi Dean-​ , sorry for the late reply
    If you download AccountRight 2026.5 from our downloads page, then you will be able to take your own offline backup (the same way you always would have)
    You can then restore that offline backup into AccountRight Server Edition

    *When you download 2026.5, after you open it the first time. If you close and then reopen AccountRight, it will automatically update to the latest version. Make sure you do this in one go to avoid that. 

  • jenniek's avatar
    jenniek
    Ultimate Partner
    1 month ago

    Hi Dean-​ 

    I would also ensure that the file restores in the Public Documents folder, not the Documents folder under your user name. It should do this - but worth checking.