Answer
The online (web/mobile) app includes a built-in Online Backups feature that lets you save your payroll data to Lightning Payroll's secure cloud server and restore it when needed. An active subscription is required; the feature is not available on trial accounts.
Note: Online backups are an additional convenience feature. Always maintain your own local backups as well. Once the backup limit is reached, new backups automatically overwrite the oldest. For general backup advice, see How Can I Backup My Lightning Payroll Data?
Getting to Online Backups
Navigate to Tools >> Online Backups in the web or mobile app. The app automatically checks whether you already have an account and shows the appropriate screen.
First Use ÔÇö Registering
If no online backups account exists for your subscription, a registration form appears. Create a password that meets all of the following requirements:
- At least 8 characters
- At least 1 uppercase letter
- At least 1 lowercase letter
- At least 1 number
- At least 1 special character
Enter your password in the New Password field, confirm it in Confirm Password, then click Register. The app logs you in automatically after a successful registration.
Subsequent Use ÔÇö Logging In
If an account already exists, a login form appears. Enter your Password and click Login. If you have forgotten your password, click Forgot Password? ÔÇö a reset code will be emailed to your registered address. Enter the code together with a new password to regain access. See also I've Forgotten my Password for Online Backups.
Sending and Restoring Backups
Once logged in, the backup management screen appears. Enter a label in the Computer Name field to identify this device or this backup, then click Send Backup to upload the current data to the cloud.
A table lists all existing backups with their creation date, computer ID, and file size. To roll back to an earlier backup, click the restore button next to that entry. Restoring replaces all current data with the selected backup, so only do this when you intend to revert to that point in time.
Automatic Backup and Prompt Settings
Two options appear below the backup list:
- Automatically backup every 7 days? ÔÇö when ticked, the app sends a backup to the cloud automatically on a 7-day cycle.
- Prompt when a more recent backup is available? ÔÇö when ticked, you will be notified if a more recent backup exists on the server than the data currently in the app.
Changes to these settings are saved immediately.
Logging Out
Click Logout only if you want to disconnect this device from online backups entirely. Logging out disables automatic backups. To re-enable backups later, navigate back to Tools >> Online Backups and log in again.
For the equivalent desktop app flow, see How Can I Set Up Online Backups?
