Creating Multiple Profiles

Balance supports multiple profiles so you can budget together with your partner or family. This guide shows you how to add and set up additional profiles.

What Are Profiles?

Profiles allow multiple people to:

• Access the same budget
• See the same transactions
• Each have their own profile view
• Track who made changes
• Coordinate together in real-time

All profiles share:

• Same budget
• Same categories
• Same transactions
• Same bank connections
• Same data

Why Use Multiple Profiles?

For Couples:

• Both partners see everything
• Coordinate spending in real-time
• Each has their own login
• Track individual vs. joint expenses
• Improve financial communication

Benefits:

• Better transparency
• Reduced money conflicts
• Real-time sync
• Shared accountability
• Easier coordination

Creating a Profile

Step 1: Access Profile Management

1. Tap your profile icon (top left, shown in screenshot above)
2. Profile selection modal opens

Step 2: Open Manage Profiles

From the profile selection modal (shown above), tap “Manage Profiles” at the bottom.

Step 3: Navigate to Add Profile

The Profile Management page opens (shown in screenshot above). Tap “Add Profile” button.

Step 4: Enter Profile Details

The Add Profile page opens (shown in screenshot above). Enter the following details:

Profile Name:

• Enter partner’s name
• Or family member’s name
• Keep it simple and clear

Examples:

• “Sarah”
• “Mike”
• “Mom”
• “Partner”

Step 3: Choose an Avatar

Select a profile picture:

• Choose from preset avatars
• Each has unique icon/color
• Helps identify who’s who quickly

Or upload photo:

• Take photo
• Choose from gallery
• Custom profile picture

Step 4: Save Profile

1. Review details
2. Tap “Add Profile” or “Save”
3. New profile created!
4. Appears in profile list

Takes less than 1 minute.

Primary vs. Additional Profiles

Primary Profile

The account creator:

• First profile (you)
• Account owner
• Cannot be deleted
• Full permissions

Special status:

• Created during signup
• Tied to email/login
• Primary admin

Additional Profiles

Added profiles (partner, family):

• Created after primary
• Equal access to data
• Can be edited
• Can be deleted (by primary)

Same features as primary for budgeting.

Profile Setup Example

For Couples

Typical setup:

Profile 1 (Primary):

• Name: Your name
• Avatar: Your choice
• Created: During signup

Profile 2 (Partner):

• Name: Partner’s name
• Avatar: Different icon
• Created: After setup

Both see everything:

• Same budget
• Same transactions
• Same categories
• Real-time sync

How Many Profiles?

Most common:

• 2 profiles (couple)
• 1 profile (single user)

Can create:

• Unlimited profiles
• Add family members
• Teen children (if desired)
• Anyone who budgets with you

Typical household: 2 profiles

After Creating a Profile

Switching Between Profiles

Easy profile switching:

1. Tap your profile icon
2. See list of all profiles
3. Tap different profile
4. View switches instantly
5. See budget from their perspective

Learn more about switching →

Sharing Access

To give partner access:

Option 1: Same device (simple)

• Just switch profiles
• No separate login needed
• One device, multiple profiles

Option 2: Separate devices (better)

• Partner needs their own account
• Link profiles together
• Each logs in on their device
• Real-time sync

Managing the Profile

After creating, you can:

• Edit profile name
• Change avatar
• Delete profile (if not primary)
• Add more profiles

Learn more about managing →

Profile Information

What Each Profile Has

Individual:

• Profile name
• Avatar/profile picture
• Profile ID (internal)

Shared across all profiles:

• Budget categories
• Budget amounts
• Transactions
• Bank connections
• Historical data

Nothing is private - all profiles see everything.

Use Cases

Scenario 1: Traditional Couple

Setup:

Profile 1: John (primary)
Profile 2: Lisa

Both contribute income
Share all expenses
Joint budgeting

How they use it:

• John categorizes his purchases
• Lisa categorizes hers
• Both see total budget
• Weekly review together

Scenario 2: One Primary Earner

Setup:

Profile 1: Mark (earns income)
Profile 2: Jenny (manages budget)

One income
Both manage spending
Coordinate expenses

How they use it:

• Mark sees where money goes
• Jenny tracks daily spending
• Both approve large purchases
• Monthly planning together

Scenario 3: Combined Families

Setup:

Profile 1: Parent 1
Profile 2: Parent 2
Profile 3: Teen (optional)

Multiple incomes
Shared household expenses
Teaching teen budgeting

How they use it:

• Parents manage household budget
• Teen has visibility (learning)
• Family financial transparency

Profile Permissions

What All Profiles Can Do

✅ Every profile can:

• View all transactions
• Categorize transactions
• Add manual transactions
• Create/edit categories
• Adjust budget amounts
• Connect/disconnect banks
• See all data

Equal access for budgeting purposes.

What Only Primary Can Do

Primary profile exclusive:

• Delete other profiles
• Account-level settings
• Billing/subscription management
• Email/password changes

Financial management is shared, admin is primary.

Best Practices

Use Real Names

Instead of:

• “User 1”
• “Me”
• “Other”

Use:

• “John”
• “Sarah”
• Actual names

Why: Clear communication and accountability.

Choose Distinct Avatars

Make profiles visually different:

• Different colors
• Different icons
• Easy to distinguish at a glance

Helps quickly identify who’s viewing/editing.

Set Up Both Profiles Early

During onboarding:

1. Create your profile (automatic)
2. Immediately add partner profile
3. Both start using from day 1
4. Build habit together

Don’t wait - set up together!

Use Your Own Profile

Each person should:

• Log in as themselves
• Categorize their own transactions
• Use their profile view

Don’t share - each person uses their own profile.

Troubleshooting

“Can’t create new profile”

Check:

• Are you logged in?
• On Manage Profiles page?
• Tap “Add Profile” button visible?
• Internet connection working?

“Profile not showing up”

Try:

• Close and reopen app
• Pull to refresh
• Wait a few seconds for sync
• Check on different device

“Want to delete profile”

Can delete:

• Any profile except primary
• Go to profile management
• Select profile
• Choose delete option

Cannot delete:

• Primary profile (account owner)

“Partner can’t log in”

Two options:

Option 1: Use same login, switch profiles Option 2: Create separate account for partner, link profiles (advanced)

Next Steps

Now that you’ve created profiles:

1. Switching Between Profiles - Navigate between views
2. Managing Profile Details - Edit and update profiles
3. Understanding Primary Profile - Learn about account owner
4. Shared Budgeting for Couples - Budget together effectively

Questions? Contact our support team - we’re here to help!