Back up offline is not available v2026.5

Hi The_Doc, 

That doesn’t sound like expected behaviour if you’re opening the file in Server Edition 2026.5. PC Edition 2026.5 can’t open offline files anymore, but Server Edition is still the temporary option for local offline files.

So if the 2026.5 file still won’t open there, it’s likely something specific to that file, and our support team would need to investigate it further.

Regards,

Genreve

Hi Genreve_S​ , Wendy_R​ 

Hmm - not sure that is true - did exactly that last week having setup my server to still be able to open online files and offline files with SE 2026.5 - ver 00014 not ver 00021 ...... all seemed to be well.

Had a staff member come to me for payslip from an old MYOB file in 23_24 before we converted to XERO in 24_25.

I had opened this file numerous times in the past - but now it wouldn't open with 2026.5 (i.e. I had upgraded the file to ver offline 2026.5) - it errored.

So I downloaded it to my laptop - same problem with ver .00014 SE - luckily I had old versions of the MYOB file in 2026.4 format - clicked that - MYOB asked did I want to open in 2026.4 and it successfully opened... and I recovered the said payslips for the staff member without further problem.

My concern is why, now, is 2026.5 not opening an offline 2026.5 file. 

No it wasn't corrupted - I upgraded it to 2026.5 from 2026.4 - and it wouldn't open offline yet the 2026.4 did.

I guess, no problem but if you download off the internet a 2026.5 file to open offline - before it is unreachable with 2026.6 - will it be able to be opened.

I believe there is someone 3rd party that can convert back to 2026.4 - something I am now gearing up to do as a project that seems to be very necessary.

Messy MYOB 

The Doc

Hi Wendy_R. 

I can understand why you’re upset. If you’ve always kept a copy of your file on your PC, this change would feel like a big loss of control.

From AccountRight 2026.5, offline backups are no longer available in the PC edition.

If you want to keep using the file in current versions, it’ll need to be moved online. If you already have older offline backups, they can still be opened in 2026.5 Server Edition.

Regards,
Genreve

I'm done with MYOB, been a customer since before 2000, I have had enough.
All im wanting is to back up my files to my PC and to have control over my own invoicing.

We have a simple business with no employees and I dont need all this added stress.
Over the last 6 months everything has changed and I dont have control over my files anymore.
I'm moving to another server who can give me that.

MJBook​ the prior warning was given March or April but it was only sent to those using the Server edition and working offline. It also didn't mention anything about removal of the offline backup option, only that those clients would have to now work online. So.. for that feature, there was no prior warning.  They will lose the data and there will be a class action.. it's only a question of when.  The cost to them will be very significant, given the impact to thousands of businesses. I hope they have good insurance. I have continued to do my regular and significant event backups. In the hope that I have something other than their automated backups, in case of a major failure. I wonder how many files they already have in the Backup archive that are not automated ones. That should give them a good indicator of how many people were using the feature previously and why we are all so angry.

Although MYOB states we were given prior warning, it was well timed being at EOFY when everyone was busy in preparation.  We had to upgrade to get all the new payroll taxes, super etc which were automatic and we had no time to process the cause and effect of everything. Upgrades should be available for us to decide NOT the automatic upgrade process.  It doesn't make sense that MYOB can do all these things but can't seem to bring back offline backups?????  I feel MYOB has also taken over our computers too.  As I keep saying and will not stop saying 'Bring back OFFline backups'.  Please everyone, keep the demand going.  I don't bother backing up in MYOB as I don't want these files backed up online even though MYOB does automatic backups so hopefully there are no issues and data lost in between their backups. MYOB has made something so simple, complicated & a revenue raising event.  I feel a 'class action' will be inevitable and not just at the point of losing data but it will incite other reasons.

Completely agree!  Definitely not happy/confident with only online backups - too many 'ifs' and 'buts' with file corruption, cyber attacks etc.  Again, no advance information about this to see if customers were okay with this - another change without consultation.  Another not happy customer.

What is frustrating is that MYOB continually makes changes without asking the Members if the majority of them want it, or dont want it and give customisable options for those that don't.  The online payments feature should have been an option you could turn on IF you want it (not automatically turning on without consent) and the Offline Backup option being removed is beyond disappointing. I feel that is possibly so you can feather your own nest financially if a Backup needs to be restored, so it can only be done by you and charged to do so ?  I could go on but I wont.  MYOB, consider all the users, not a minority and give options to customise to suit each business. Changes should be what Users want, not what suits you, or you "think" they want.

A customer for almost 30 years and some of the changes you have made without taking into consideration how it will affect many Businesses is in my opinion, very unprofessional. 

Hi dirkfielding​ , creating a case with the security team will provide a fast turnaround for your concerns.
Calling to our support team and creating a support case, unfortunately means that you enter the queue with everyone else (and these are taking a lot longer than normal right now) but we create the option to report security concerns to ensure that you have an avenue for getting something like this addressed quickly.

Thank you The_Doc​ for you replies, I think you have articulated the scenarios and considerations that people need to be aware of before assuming that MYOB are at fault. 
 

Hey Doc The_Doc​ 

Fair point here, and definitely worth exploring a little further.

ISO 27001 is, as you mentioned, risk-based — it doesn't mandate a specific architecture, so "no offline backup" can sit in a risk register as an accepted risk, if formally assessed with documented rationale and compensating controls. 

But I think that strengthens the case against MYOB's actions here.

This isn't a pre-existing gap — it's a control that was withdrawn. Many chose MYOB because local backup existed and was built into the risk treatment plan. Removing it doesn't put MYOB on equal footing with a cloud-only competitor.

That platform also has third-party options — restorable backups via an independent provider — so the risk is mitigated outside the platform itself. MYOB removing local backup with no equivalent third-party path (that I have been able to find, at least) leaves us worse off than the example being used to defend it.

Mike_MYOB​ 

I'd really like you to hear what I'm saying here.  And I'd also like you to understand what's actually happening - your customers felt that the offline backup was a huge positive to using MYOB over the competition, and are extremely upset that it has been taken away.  And the timing of this change, right before EOFY, was just a terrible, terrible choice on MYOB's behalf, warning or not.