Bubble lets you duplicate an entire app from your dashboard, cloning all pages, workflows, data types, styles, and plugins. Live database data is NOT copied. This tutorial covers the duplication process, what transfers and what does not, and how to duplicate to a different Bubble account.
Overview: Duplicating a Bubble App
Duplicating an app is useful for creating backups before major changes, starting new projects from an existing template, or sharing your app structure with a collaborator. Bubble makes this straightforward from the dashboard, but there are important details about what transfers and what gets left behind.
Prerequisites
- A Bubble account with at least one app to duplicate
- Understanding that live data will not be copied
Step-by-step guide
Duplicate the app from your dashboard
Duplicate the app from your dashboard
Go to bubble.io/home to see your app dashboard. Find the app you want to duplicate. Hover over the app card and click the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner. Select Copy app from the dropdown menu. Enter a name for the new copy — use a descriptive name like MyApp-Copy-March2026 or MyApp-V2. Click Copy. Bubble will process the duplication, which may take a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the app's complexity.
Expected result: A new app appears in your dashboard that is a complete copy of the original app's structure.
Understand what gets copied
Understand what gets copied
The duplication copies: all pages and their elements, all workflows (frontend and backend), all Data Types and their field definitions, all styles and style variables, all Option Sets and their values, all plugins and their configuration, all reusable elements, and all settings. It does NOT copy: live database records, uploaded files (images and documents), API keys and secrets (these must be re-entered), version control history, or custom domain settings.
Pro tip: If you need the live data too, export it as CSV from the original app's Data tab before duplicating, then import it into the copy.
Expected result: You understand exactly what is and is not included in the duplicated app.
Copy an app to a different Bubble account
Copy an app to a different Bubble account
To share your app with someone on a different account, you have two options. Option 1: Transfer the app via Settings → General → Transfer this app — this moves (not copies) the app to the other account. Option 2: Use Bubble's template feature — go to Settings → General and check Allow others to copy this app to make it a public template, then share the template URL. The recipient creates a new app from your template. Note that the template option makes the structure publicly accessible.
Expected result: The other account has a copy of your app structure.
Re-configure the duplicated app
Re-configure the duplicated app
After duplication, open the new app and check these items: (1) Go to Plugins and re-enter any API keys that did not transfer. (2) Go to Settings → API and check that the Workflow API and Data API settings match your needs. (3) If using a custom domain, configure it separately for the new app. (4) Check that all API Connector calls still have valid credentials. (5) Import any test data you need via CSV in the Data tab.
Expected result: The duplicated app is fully configured and ready for development or testing.
Complete working example
1APP DUPLICATION CHECKLIST2=========================34DUPLICATION STEPS:5 1. Dashboard → App card → Three-dot menu → Copy app6 2. Name: {AppName}-{Purpose}-{Date}7 3. Wait for processing to complete89WHAT IS COPIED:10 ✓ All pages and elements11 ✓ All workflows (frontend + backend)12 ✓ All Data Types and fields13 ✓ All Option Sets and values14 ✓ All styles and variables15 ✓ All plugins and configuration16 ✓ All reusable elements17 ✓ App settings1819WHAT IS NOT COPIED:20 ✗ Live database records21 ✗ Uploaded files (images, documents)22 ✗ API keys and secrets23 ✗ Version control history24 ✗ Custom domain configuration25 ✗ Stripe webhook endpoints26 ✗ Collaborator access2728POST-DUPLICATION CHECKLIST:29 □ Re-enter API keys in plugins30 □ Re-configure API Connector credentials31 □ Set up custom domain (if needed)32 □ Import test data via CSV33 □ Update webhook URLs in external services34 □ Re-add collaborators35 □ Test all workflowsCommon mistakes when duplicating an app within your Bubble account: Step-by-Step Guide
Why it's a problem: Assuming live database data is included in the copy
How to avoid: Export your data as CSV from the original app before duplicating, then import it into the copy
Why it's a problem: Forgetting to re-enter API keys in the duplicated app
How to avoid: After duplication, go through every plugin and API Connector call to re-enter credentials
Why it's a problem: Using Transfer instead of Copy when you want to keep the original
How to avoid: Use Copy app from the dashboard menu to keep the original. Use Transfer only when intentionally giving the app away.
Best practices
- Create backup copies before major changes or deployments using a date-based naming convention
- Export live data as CSV before duplicating if you need it in the copy
- Check and re-enter all API keys and credentials in the duplicated app immediately
- Use descriptive names for copies: AppName-Backup-2026-03-28 or AppName-V2-Redesign
- Delete old backup copies you no longer need to keep your dashboard organized
- Test all API integrations and workflows in the duplicated app before using it
Still stuck?
Copy one of these prompts to get a personalized, step-by-step explanation.
I need to duplicate my Bubble.io app to create a backup before a major redesign. What gets copied and what does not? What do I need to reconfigure in the new copy?
Help me create a backup copy of my app. I want to duplicate everything and also export my live data so I can import it into the copy if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does app duplication take?
Simple apps copy in a few seconds. Complex apps with many pages, workflows, and plugins can take 1-5 minutes. Very large apps may take longer.
Does duplication copy my plan or billing?
No. The duplicated app starts on the Free plan. You need to separately subscribe the new app to a paid plan if needed.
Can I duplicate an app that uses version control?
Yes, but the version control history and branches are not copied. The new app gets a clean state based on the current main branch.
Will my collaborators have access to the new copy?
No. Collaborator access must be set up separately on the new app. Only the account owner has access initially.
Can I duplicate someone else's app?
Only if they have enabled Allow others to copy this app in their settings, making it a public template. Otherwise, you cannot duplicate an app you do not own.
Is there a limit on how many copies I can make?
There is no documented limit on duplication. Each copy counts as a separate app in your account. Free accounts can have limited active apps. RapidDev can help manage multi-app architectures for teams that need many environments.
Talk to an Expert
Our team has built 600+ apps. Get personalized help with your project.
Book a free consultation