How to Migrate Your Data from the Previous Version of the TCGplayer App

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• Data Migration: Moving Your Old Collections to the New App 
• Troubleshooting Migration Issues
• After Migration
• Data Export: Creating a Backup of Your Legacy Data
• What to Do with Your Exported Data
• Troubleshooting Export Issues
• Best Practices for Data Backup
• Need Help?

Overview

If you have data from the previous version of the TCGplayer app, you have two main options to transfer data to the new app: automatically migrate your collections to the new app format, or export your data as a backup. This guide covers both approaches.

The legacy app contains your collection data stored locally on your device. If you uninstall it before migrating or exporting, you will permanently lose access to all your card collections, including:

• Collection names and organization

• Card quantities and conditions

• Collection creation dates

What to do instead:

1. Keep the app installed until you've completed migration or export. The app will never delete legacy data, so it’s always there to be retrieved!

2. Review Data Migration or use Export Data troubleshooting guidelines to retrieve your data

3. If you need help recovering your data, contact TCGplayer support immediately
    

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Data Migration: Moving Your Old Collections to the New App

What is Data Migration?

Data migration automatically transfers your card collections from the previous version of the TCGplayer app into the new app format. The key difference is that your data now lives in the cloud instead of being stored locally on your device. This means your collections are accessible across all your devices and backed up automatically.

Data Migration is the easiest way to get all your old data working in the new app without any manual work.

How Migration Works

The migration process:

1. Scans your device for data from the previous app

2. Creates new collections in the current app

3. Transfers all your cards with their details (condition, language, quantity)

4. Preserves your original collection names when possible

5. Handles large collections by splitting them if needed (max 5,000 cards per collection).

6. Scan list migrates over under a standardized name of Autosaved Scan List under standard collections.

Starting the Migration Process

Step 1: Automatic Migration (Most Common)

When you first open the new app after signing in with your account, it will automatically detect if you have data from the previous version will start the automatic migration process.

Step 2: Re-Try Automatic Migration or Export from Account Screen (Optional)

Enables retrying the failed migration, or exporting data in CSV format (described in the Export Data section).

During Migration

What you'll see:

• A progress bar showing migration status

• The message: "Migration of previous app's data is in progress. In order to improve speed make sure you are on a strong wifi network."

• Real-time progress updates

What happens in the background:

• The app reads your legacy database files

• Creates new collections in the current app

• Transfers each card with all its details

• Updates progress as each collection is completed

Migration Status

The migration can have several statuses:

In Progress

• Migration is actively running

• Progress bar shows completion percentage

• Keep the app open and connected to WiFi

Completed

• All your data has been successfully migrated

• Your collections are now available in the new app

• You can start using them immediately

Failed

• Some or all data failed to migrate

• You'll see an error dialog with options to retry or skip

• Usually due to network issues or corrupted data

Skipped

• You chose to skip migration

• Your old data remains untouched

• You can retry later from the Account screen

Troubleshooting Migration Issues

Migration Fails

If migration fails, you'll see a dialog with these options:

"Try Again" - Retries the migration process

• Best option if the failure was due to temporary network issues

• The app will attempt to migrate any remaining data

• Successfully migrated collections won't be duplicated

"Skip for Now" - Skips migration temporarily

• Your data remains safe in the old format

• You can retry later from the Account screen

• Good option if you want to use the app without waiting
   

Cleaning Up After Failed Migrations

Inspect Your Collections

After a failed or partial migration, you may find collections in your Collections tab that appear to be incomplete or duplicate. These could be artifacts from failed migration attempts.

What to look for:

• Collections with very few cards compared to your original data

• Collections with generic names like "Legacy Collection" that don't match your original names

• Duplicate collections with similar names

• Collections that appear empty or contain only a subset of your cards

How to clean up:

1. Review each collection in your Collections tab

2. Compare with your original data or exported CSV backup

3. Delete any collections that appear to be migration artifacts

4. Keep only the complete, properly migrated collections
   
    

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Common Migration Problems

Network Issues

• Problem: Migration fails due to poor internet connection

• Solution: Connect to a strong WiFi network and retry

• Tip: Migration works best on WiFi rather than cellular data

Large Collections

• Problem: Very large collections (10,000+ cards) may take longer

• Solution: Be patient and keep the app open during migration

• Note: The app automatically splits large collections if needed

Partial Migration

• Problem: Some collections migrate successfully, others fail

• Solution: Use "Try Again" - only failed collections will be retried

• Benefit: You won't lose progress on successfully migrated collections

No Migration Option Available

• Problem: You don't see migration options in the app

• Possible causes:

  • You don't have data from the previous app version

  • Your data was already migrated successfully

  • The legacy data was cleared from your device

After Migration

What You'll Find

• All your old collections are now available in the Collections tab

• Collection names are preserved (with modifications if needed for length limits)

• All card details including condition, language, and quantity are intact

• You can immediately start using, editing, and sharing your collections

Collection Naming

• Original names are preserved when possible

• Very long names may be shortened to fit the 24-character limit

• If a collection has more than 5,000 cards, it may be split into multiple collections with part numbers (e.g., "My Collection (1)", "My Collection (2)")

Data Safety

Your original data is safe:

• Migration creates copies in the new app format

• Your original legacy data remains untouched

• You can still export your data as a backup if needed

• If migration fails, your original data is not lost

Backup recommendation:

• Consider exporting your data as a CSV file before or after migration

• This gives you an additional backup in a universal format

• Useful for importing into other applications or keeping records

Getting Help

If you encounter persistent migration issues:

1. Check your network connection - Use a strong WiFi connection

2. Restart the app - Close and reopen the TCGplayer app

3. Try the export option - Use "Download My Old Data" as a backup

4. Contact support - Reach out to TCGplayer support for assistance

Note: Migration is a one-time process. Once your data is successfully migrated, you won't see migration options again unless you reinstall the app or encounter a failed migration that needs to be retried.

Data Export: Creating a Backup of Your Legacy Data

What is Data Export?

Data export creates a CSV file containing all your card collections from the previous app version. This is useful for creating backups, importing data into other applications, or keeping records of your collections.

Data Export vs. Migration

Export (Backup option):

• Creates a CSV file you can save for backup

• Useful if you want to use your data in other applications

• Good for record-keeping purposes

• Works offline - no internet connection required

Migration (Recommended):

• Automatically creates new collections in the current app

• Preserves all your card data, conditions, and quantities

• You can immediately start using your collections in the new app

• No need to manually recreate anything

What Data Gets Exported

The export includes all your card collections from the legacy app, including:

• Collection Name - The name you gave to each collection

• Created At - When the collection was created

• Product ID - The unique identifier for each card

• Condition - The condition of your cards (e.g., Near Mint, Lightly Played)

• Language - The language version of the card

• Variant - Any special variants (foil, alternate art, etc.)

• Quantity - How many copies you have of each card

Step-by-Step Export Instructions

Step 1: Open the Account Screen

1. Launch the TCGplayer app on your device

2. Tap the Account tab at the bottom of the screen

3. You'll see your account information and various options

Step 2: Find the Export Option

1. Scroll down to the "Previous App Data" section

2. Look for the "Download My Old Data" option

3. Tap on this option to start the export process

Step 3: Export Your Data

1. The app will process your legacy data (this may take a few moments, please be patient if your database is large)

2. A share sheet will appear with your data as a CSV file named legacy_data.csv

3. Choose how you want to save or share the file:

   • Save to Files - Save it to your device's file system

   • Email - Send it to yourself or someone else

   • AirDrop - Share it with nearby Apple devices (iOS Only)

   • Other apps - Open it in spreadsheet apps like Numbers or Excel

What to Do with Your Exported Data

Opening the CSV File

• On iPhone/iPad: Use the Files app or import into Numbers

• On Computer: Open with Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application

• Online: Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox for safekeeping

• Import: Use the TCGplayer import feature to restore relevant collection data back

Understanding the Data

Each row in the CSV represents one card in your collection. The columns show:

• Which collection the card belongs to

• When you added it

• The card's product ID (useful for looking up specific cards)

• Condition, language, and variant details

• How many copies you own

When to Use Export Instead of Migration

Use export when you want to:

• Create a backup before attempting migration

• Use your data in other applications (spreadsheets, inventory systems)

• Keep records for accounting or insurance purposes

• Share your collection data with others in a universal format

• Have a fallback option if migration fails

Use migration when you want to:

• Continue using your collections in the new app

• Have all your data immediately available and functional

• Avoid manual recreation of collections

Troubleshooting Export Issues

No Data Found

If you don't see the "Download My Old Data" option or get no data:

• You may not have used the previous version of the app

• Your data may have already been migrated to the new app

• The legacy data may have been cleared from your device

Export Fails

If the export doesn't work:

• Make sure you have enough storage space on your device

• Try closing and reopening the app

• Check that you have a stable internet connection

File Won't Open

If you can't open the CSV file:

• Make sure you're using a compatible app (Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets)

• Try saving it to Files first, then opening from there

• Check that the file downloaded completely

Best Practices for Data Backup

Before Migration:

• Export your data as a CSV backup

• Save it to multiple locations (device, cloud storage, email)

• Verify the file opens correctly in a spreadsheet app

After Migration:

• Export again to have a record of your migrated data

• Compare the before/after exports to ensure nothing was lost

• Keep the backup files for future reference

Regular Backups:

• Consider exporting your data periodically

• Store backups in multiple locations

• Use descriptive filenames with dates (e.g., "TCGplayer_Collection_2024_01_15.csv")

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues:

1. Check the app's help section

2. Contact TCGplayer support

3. Make sure you're using the latest version of the app

Note: This export feature is specifically for users who have data from the previous version of the TCGplayer app. If you're a new user, you won't see this option.