Here’s how export your data from Things 2 on Mac and iOS.

Write your own AppleScript (Mac only)

If you are familiar with AppleScript, you can write your own script to access and export the data from Things 2. Please note that this method is only possible on Mac, not iPhone or iPad. Here’s our AppleScript Documentation.

If you’re looking for a non-technical solution to get your data out of Things 2, the easiest path forward would be to simply print all of your lists to PDF. You will be able to search the PDF for keywords, as well as select text inside of the PDF files to copy and paste into other apps. Please note that this method is only possible on Mac, not iPhone or iPad.

  1. On your Mac, open Things 2.
  2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click File → Print.
  3. Set Scope to Entire List.
  4. Set Notes to Full.
  5. Click Print.
  6. At the bottom of the new window that opens, click PDF → Save as PDF.
  7. Ideally, name the PDF file with the name of the list you are printing from.

To make sure that you won’t miss anything, we recommend you print each list separately, starting with the default lists and then going through all your Areas as well as Projects. Even though this will duplicate some of the content, it will also ensure that everything is included in your PDF files.

Get the Things 2 database file

In accordance with GDPR laws, you can also access your data in the form of an industry-standard, machine-readable database file format which includes every piece of information about your to-dos.

Things 2 uses a cross-platform file format called SQLite. This is a database format, not a human-readable format. To learn more about SQLite, please check out the official SQLite website.

Here’s how to get your Things 2 database file:

Mac
  1. On your Mac, quit Things 2. The app must not be running before you proceed.
  2. Click on your empty Desktop.
  3. Then press the keys ⌘ CMD ⇧ SHIFT G at the same time.
  4. A new window will open. Copy and paste in this path: ~/Library/Containers/com.culturedcode.things/Data/Library/Application Support/Cultured Code/Things/
  5. Hit the Return key.
  6. Copy the file ThingsLibrary.db to where you’d like to keep it.

iPad & iPhone

If you open Things 2 and see the following message: “Things Needs to be Updated. The developer of this app needs to update it to work with this version of iOS”, please contact us for assistance.

  1. Open Things 2.
  2. Tap the Settings icon.
  3. Tap General → Advanced.
  4. Securely hold your device with both hands, and then give it a hard, quick shake. You might have to repeat this once or twice.
  5. Tap Send Things Database.

The file you’re getting is called Things.sqlite3. We recommend that you save the file into iCloud Drive, or, if you own a Mac, we suggest you select to AirDrop it to your Mac as it is the most secure way of transmitting the data.

To view the data in the SQLite file you need a viewer application. One we like to use ourselves is Base. It has a free trial available, and of course there are other applications out there which are free of charge.

Related Articles