AniFam Update Without Losing Your Watchlist: The Safe Method

The Safe Update Method

Install the new build over the existing app without uninstalling first. The AniFam anime app download page provides the new build, and installing over the old one keeps the watchlist and the continue watching row in place. Uninstalling first wipes that data, so the order matters: new build first, check second, tidy third.

Checking After the Update

Open the app after updating and check three things: My List is present, the continue watching row shows the last title, and one episode plays. If all three pass, the update is done. If My List looks empty, do not rebuild it by hand yet, because the re-import step below is faster and more accurate. Related reading on this site covers AniFam for PC: Watch Anime on a Computer the Honest Way.

Re-importing When Needed

If a list is lost, re-import it from AniList or MyAnimeList, which restores the planned titles in one move. After re-import, walk the list once to move active titles to watching and paused titles to on hold. This pass also serves as a tidy, removing titles that no longer excite. For a neighbouring topic, see AniFam Sub vs Dub: How to Pick the Right Audio for Each Title.

Update Habits

Update on Wi-Fi, keep a tracker list as a backup even when the app list is healthy, and avoid updating mid series finale night. A backup list in a tracker is the cheapest insurance for any anime app, because it survives any install, any phone change, and any update fault. When the file is needed, the download page is the place to get it.