How to export your Splitwise data (and move it somewhere else)
Short answer
Splitwise exports per group, not per account, and only from the web app at splitwise.com — the mobile apps have no export option. Open a group in a desktop browser, find the export or download option in the group settings menu, and choose the spreadsheet or CSV format. Repeat for each group you want to keep. The file contains one row per expense with the date, description, category, currency, total, and each participant’s share, which is everything you need to rebuild the history in another app.
Key points
- Export is web-only. Do not go looking for it in the mobile app.
- It is per group — you have to repeat it for every group you want to keep.
- The CSV holds one row per expense, with every participant as a column.
- Do it before you close your account, not after.
- FamZam imports the CSV directly, so switching does not mean retyping.
Where the export option is
On the web only. Go to splitwise.com in a desktop browser, sign in, open the group you want, and look for the export or download option in the group’s settings — usually a menu or gear on the right of the group header. The iOS and Android apps do not have this feature at all, which is why most people conclude the data cannot be exported.
- 1
Open splitwise.com in a browser
A desktop browser is best. On a phone, request the desktop site — the mobile layout can hide the menu that holds the export option.
- 2
Open the group you want to export
Export is per group. An account-wide export is not offered, so make a list of the groups that matter before you start.
- 3
Find the export option in the group menu
It sits with the group’s other settings — export as spreadsheet, or download expenses. Choose CSV if you are offered a choice of formats.
- 4
Repeat for every group
Including the informal one-to-one “friend” balances if you want them. These are not always exportable as a group; screenshot the balance if not.
- 5
Check the file opened correctly
Open it in a spreadsheet before you rely on it. You should see one row per expense and one column per participant.
What is in the file
| Column | What it holds | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Date | When the expense happened | Lets another app rebuild the timeline rather than one lump balance |
| Description | What you typed | The only record of what an amount was for |
| Category | Splitwise’s category | Useful for spending analysis; often dropped on import |
| Cost | The total amount | The number everything else is derived from |
| Currency | Currency code | Critical for multi-currency trips — check it survived the export |
| One column per person | That person’s share, positive or negative | Positive means they paid in; negative means they owe |
What the export does not include
- Receipt photos and attachments. Save any you need separately before deleting anything.
- Comments on expenses. The conversation about who owed what does not come across.
- Payment records in some exports. Verify that settle-up entries appear; if they do not, your imported balance will be wrong by exactly the amount already repaid.
- Friend-level balances outside groups. Informal one-to-one balances may need to be recorded manually.
Importing it into FamZam
- 1
Create the matching group
Same people, same name, so the history reads correctly afterwards.
- 2
Upload the CSV
FamZam reads Splitwise’s export format directly. Expenses come across as individual records with their dates, payers, and splits — not as one opening balance.
- 3
Reconcile against the old balance
Compare the balance FamZam shows to the last balance Splitwise showed. If they match, the import is complete and you can stop checking.
- 4
Settle what was outstanding, once
Clear the open balance in one round of payments so the new ledger starts at zero for everyone.
Export as a habit, not a farewell
Most people export once, when they are leaving. The better habit is exporting every group once a year while you are still happily using the app. Free tiers change, apps get acquired, and accounts get locked out over forgotten passwords. A CSV in a folder costs nothing and means none of that can take your records with it. This applies to whatever app you move to next, including ours.
If you are exporting because of the daily expense cap, the Splitwise free limit explained covers what actually resets and when. If you are still deciding where to go, the ten best free alternatives compares them without pretending ours is the only answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I export my Splitwise data?
Sign in at splitwise.com in a desktop browser, open a group, and use the export or download option in the group settings menu to save it as a spreadsheet or CSV. Export is available per group and only on the web — the iOS and Android apps do not offer it.
Can I export Splitwise data from the mobile app?
No. Export is a web-only feature. On a phone you can request the desktop version of splitwise.com in your browser and export from there, though it is easier on a computer.
Can I export all my Splitwise groups at once?
No. Splitwise exports one group at a time, so you have to repeat the process for each group you want to keep. Make a list of the groups that matter before you start, including any old ones you might want later.
What is in the Splitwise CSV export?
One row per expense, with the date, description, category, cost, currency, and a column for each participant showing their share — positive if they paid in, negative if they owe. A total row at the bottom should match the balances shown in the app.
Can I import my Splitwise export into another app?
FamZam imports the Splitwise CSV directly, recreating individual expenses with their dates, payers, and splits rather than a single opening balance. Most other bill splitters require you to start fresh and enter the outstanding balance manually.
Should I export before deleting my Splitwise account?
Yes, always. Account deletion removes your access to the groups and their history, and support cannot restore it afterwards. Export every group you might want, verify the files open correctly in a spreadsheet, and only then delete.