How to duplicate an app within your Bubble account: Step-by-Step Guide

Duplicating an App within Your Bubble Account

Duplicating an app in Bubble.io is a straightforward process that allows you to create an exact copy of your existing application. This can be useful for testing new features without affecting your live app, creating a template for new projects, or backing up your work. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to duplicate an app in your Bubble account.

Prerequisites

• An active Bubble account with at least one existing app.
• Access rights to the application you wish to duplicate.
• Understanding of your Bubble plan limitations, as app duplication may require capabilities beyond basic plans.

Understanding App Duplication in Bubble

• Duplicating an app creates a separate, standalone copy of the existing app.
• While all the workflows, design elements, and data structures are copied, the actual live data is not duplicated unless specifically exported and imported.
• This process maintains the integrity and privacy of your original app's data.

Navigating to Your Bubble App

• Log in to your Bubble account by visiting Bubble.io.
• Once logged in, go to your Bubble dashboard to view all your applications.
• Select the app you want to duplicate by clicking on its name or thumbnail.

Initiating the App Duplication Process

• Within your selected application, navigate to the app's main development environment.
• Look for the dashboard menu on the left side of the screen, typically where other app settings are managed.
• Click on the "Settings" option from the menu.
• In the settings tab, find and click on the "General" section.

Executing the Duplicate Function

• Scroll down in the General settings until you locate the "Duplicate App" button.
• Click the "Duplicate App" button. A prompt will appear requesting confirmation to proceed with the duplication.
• Confirm your decision to duplicate the app. This action might take a few moments as Bubble processes the duplication.

Managing the New Duplicate Application

• After the duplication process is complete, return to your Bubble dashboard.
• You will see a new application listed. It should have the same name as the original with an added identifier (e.g., "Copy of [Original App Name]").
• Click on your new duplicate app to ensure all workflows and design elements have been correctly copied.
• Perform any necessary manual adjustments or configurations specific to the purpose of the duplicate (e.g., renaming the app, adjusting settings).

Transferring or Copying Data (If Required)

• If your duplicate app requires live data from the original, you will need to handle data export and import manually.
• Navigate to the "Data" tab in the original app and export necessary datasets.
• Similarly, go to the "Data" tab in your duplicate app and import the data.
• Ensure you verify data integrity and that sensitive information remains protected during this process.

Verification and Testing

• Test the duplicate app thoroughly to ensure all functionalities work as intended.
• Review workflows, databases, and UI elements to check for inconsistencies or issues that may not have transferred correctly.
• If anything is amiss, correct it within the duplicate app without affecting your original application.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively duplicate an app within your Bubble account. This allows for seamless testing, development iterations, or backup processes, fostering a safer and more assured development environment.