one quicken file -- two macs

Question

I was able to update my current quicken file on either of my two macs. I HAD TO REPLACE MY OLD MBP AND HAVE TROUBLE RECREATING THIS SETUP ON MY NEW MBP. How can i get this functionality back? I use DROPBOX but keep the file on the hard drive of each computer.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

G.

jacobs · Answer

So you have the program on your new Mac. On a new computer, it makes sense that on your first launch of Quicken, it would want you to Sign In. But otherwise, there shouldn't be an issue accessing your data file, so let's step back through this again…

Let's start with the data file you have on your new Mac: where is that currently stored? Desktop? A folder you created? Quicken's default location in the User/Application Support folder? I want to make sure it's not in a location where it may be getting saved in iCloud, depending on your new Mac's iCloud Drive settings, because that can be problematic.

Next: did you have the file password protected? That shouldn't be an issue one way or the other; I'm just gathering information.

You also mention moving the file around using Dropbox. I want to make sure that what you are moving is either (a) a backup file (which it sounds like you don't) or (b) a compressed (.zip) copy of the file. If you are moving the .quicken data file just as it is, from one Mac to Dropbox, then from Dropbox to the other Mac, that can prove problematic because the file/folder permissions of what's contained inside your data file can get messed up. I don't know if this was a factor in your current problem, but it could be. Once we get you up and running, let's return to how to safely move your data file between the two Macs (even if you've been doing it without problem for years).

So if you're saying that the data file currently on your new Mac got corrupted in this process, let's stop using that. Instead, you should turn to your most recent copy of the file before the new Mac. That could be the copy which is on Dropbox; it could be the copy that is on the other (not dead) Mac; or it could be using the most recent .quickenbackup file. Yes, using a backup creates a new .quicken file, but as long as you keep track of which one is which and dispose of the old one after getting running, that's not a problem.

pushkin · Answer

I cloned my old MacBook pro to the new MBP, quicken included. But when I ran the program on the new mac, I had to restore some of the password, and the file got garbled. I still have the intact file on my desktop Mac but i don't know how to access it from my new mack, except through backup file, but that produces yet another file. What I want is to open my new mack, open quicken and get into the file i used to share with my desktop on my old MBP.

I hope this clarifies my problem.

Thank you kindly for your response!

Happy holidays!

G.

jacobs · Answer

On your new Mac, have you installed the Quicken application? If not, go to quicken.com and sign in to your account. On the "Welcome to you account" screen locate the Download Quicken box, and click on Quicken for Mac to download the installer. Run the installer and you should be ready to go. Double-click on the Quicken data file you have copied to this Mac and you'll be up and running.

If that's not your problem, then please do provide more details about what you're unable to do.