AccountRight 2026.2 – Why can I no longer back up my company file to my computer?

Ckennedy​ Eliane​ lynnharr​ NelleWright​ JeffNeal​ 

I’ve removed the previously marked “Solved” solution as it’s no longer valid. MYOB SE no longer provides the option to open Online company files, so the earlier solution doesn’t apply anymore.

MYOB, could you please provide an updated solution based on the current MYOB SE & Desktop functionality?

I have moved as many clients as I can to Xero. They are so user friendly, quick to respond to support queries and are continually updating their software based on user preferences. I have a couple of clients stuck with MYOB due to the inventory management system they use and I DETEST this software. I came on the forum to review a way to restore backup data and I can not believe MYOB has removed this backup option, absolutely criminal. MYOB has been going downhill for years so I feel like this is the last money grab for them.

No problem, I don't feel disrespected and my question was genuine and like you and everyone else in here, I'm also busy ending the Financial Year for the company I work for. The timing for all MYOB changes that affect us could be strategic and frustrating, as none of us have the time to deal with it at this minute. 

No Disrespect Eliane, but if your asking about going to the ACCC, have you reached out to them.   Not everyone has the time to do this themselves, especially at this time of the year when we are busy getting last Financial years figures completed to hand over to company accountants.

Again no disrespect intended.

That's a very interesting research! Thank you for going deep into this! 
Furthermore, has anyone contacted ACCC about what is going on with MYOB yet? 
MYOB, are you paying attention? Will you respond to all of our concerns?

I did some research into whole not being able to offline backup, just some notes that may be useful and strongly shows our side of the argument. it is one thing to force us to now pay for small tiny data files that we have had for years...and yes the whole SE thing...that is not going to last forever. But it is another to interfere with our rights, when it comes to our own financial data. We own it, MYOB doesn't, the software package is just a recording vessel. In my case I have had to upload offline files x 4, that is an extra financial burden.  I also have two operating online files, one of which needs to go dormant for a while, this holds 13 years of history, and now i cannot make one final historical dormant back up unless I pay for it....doesnt that equate to holding our financial information in its entirety to ransom?  Especially after already paying 13 years of subscriptions????

Under Australian Consumer Law and the Privacy Act:

 - The business owns its financial records.

 - The software provider does not own the data.

 - The provider cannot restrict access to your own historical records in a way that causes financial harm as in charging for a complete historical back up of an online file.

If MYOB’s system design prevents us from accessing the full entirety of our own historical data unless we pay them again, that can fall under:

Misleading or deceptive conduct ACL s18

Unconscionable conduct ACL s21

If they knowingly create a situation where:

 - you cannot access your own records

 - you are forced into a paid tier

 - you suffer detriment e.g., inability to provide records to owners, auditors, ATO

Interference with data access

Not illegal by itself, but becomes illegal if:

 - it contradicts advertised features

 - it causes financial loss

 - it restricts access to legally required records

The real issue: data sovereignty

MYOB is effectively saying:

You can only have a full offline back up your own business data if you pay us.

That raises legitimate concerns about:

 - Instant unrequested full access to your own financial information,

 - data ownership,

 - reliance on MYOB’s cloud,

 - risk if MYOB has outages, which happens quite often

 - long‑term access to historical records, especially for tax compliance.

These concerns are valid, and we want you to listen MYOB.

Sadly then we are tied to company. This hasn't been thought through to well then by all accounting systems then. Here's where the problem lies from a risk assessment and i am a certified ISO27001:2022 Lead auditor.

1. If you don't have access to the internet and you need to recover then you cant.
2. Currently we no longer own our data, we are not told where are data lives and if that is compliant with Australian Data rules. This is somewhere out on the web where ever MYOB decides to put it and in the case of a breach, initially we are liable for lost data under the privacy act. Fines are huge.
3. in the event of when they have a breach who takes liability given we were not given any warning that data would be no longer controlled by us.
4. At no stage did i receive any correspondence stating that i would be changed 49.50 in future if i wanted a copy of my own data and that even if i do have a copy, it is worthless.
5. Check the ACCC vrs Amazon Prime where they added a cost to an existing subscription.

I would expect MYOB should need to address these issues but as usual there would be no reply to our emails.

This does not work and there is no option if you go to the myob site using the above link in this email, there is no option in the security settings of MYOB. Not sure they can legally do this as AWS is in the middle of a multi-millioin dollar fine because they changed options and then decided to charge for what was already included which is the same here. A fee of 49.50 appears to be what you will be charged to have 1 local copy if you requested. I personally operate around the world and in different countries from time to time, so if i loose internet and i needed to restore, that is no longer possible. i have always carried my last backup with me.

I suggest asking the ACCC if the changes are legal by adding costs to what was part of what we do on a daily weekly basis and paid in an anual fee. Simply adding it inside terms and conditions without highlighting it is not acceptable from the conversation i had today.

Xero and the other option (QB) which is not allowed to be mentioned in the MYOB forum allow third party backup tools, I am not familiar with these.  Looks like its past time to become familiar with the other options.

There seems to be no offerings for small to medium businesses which allow for a full local backup where you can restore the entire accounting system. Even if we can backup a local copy of MYOB with the server version, the backup (given MYOB will no longer be maintaining the server version) will be useless.

Ran this issue through Chat GPT, there are very few options that allow for local backups, results seem to be limited to exporting transactions, contacts, invoices etc or creating reports / CSVs. Neither allows for a full restore.  

Chat GPT final response, below:

My view for an Australian business
With MYOB's move away from local files, many Australian businesses that value data ownership are facing the same decision. If you can accept SaaS, I'd prioritize data portability over the idea of a local backup:

  Best SaaS overall: Xero, combined with automated exports and a reputable backup service.
  Best if local ownership is essential: a self-hosted solution like Manager Server or an ERP such as ERPNext.

I agree! I am too busy at this minute, but eventually I'll have the time to do a reasearch and switch. MYOB is making it too hard for us, it's no longer user friendly and too consumed on making money rather than customer support. Let's see what happens when their customers switch, will KKR review their strategies? Remains to be seen! I read that KKR is preparing to sell MYOB to major corporate trade buyers and private equity firms across Australia and North America: 

https://www.afr.com/street-talk/north-american-investors-warmed-up-for-kkr-owned-myob-sale-process-20251002-p5mzns