Move Money on Mobile
Rigid budgets break. If you've tried one, you know this.
Instead, it’s important to use Rule 3 to adjust your Budget when your needs or priorities change. It's okay! Moving money from one category to another, like covering overspending, keeps you on track and allows your budget to work with you, not against you.
To move money on the iOS app
- Find the category you want to move money to and swipe right on the category's name
- Use the From line to select the category you'd like to move money from
- Adjust the amount (YNAB will default to any overspent amount) and tap Done
To move money on the Android app
- Tap the category you want to move money to, then tap the Move Money button
- Use the From line to select the category you'd like to move money from
- Adjust the amount (YNAB will default to any overspent amount) and tap Done
To move money on the iPad app
- Find the category you want to move the money from. This category will need to have a positive Available amount.
- Tap the Available number in that category
- Enter the amount you’d like to move
- Tap the To field. Select the category from the drop-down (or just start typing its name) that you'd like to move that money to.
Once your categories are green and reflect your most up-to-date priorities, you’ve officially rolled with the punches!
Reverse The Flow
To reverse the flow of money after tapping Move Money, click the icon on the left with the up and down arrows. This will flip the categories between From: and To:
Assign Mode
You can also move money around in Assign Mode. Tap the Assign Money button in the budget tab to enter the Assign Mode, and from there you can edit and preview the assigned amounts for each category. It's important to only assign money you already have. If moving money around ever turns Ready to Assign red, make adjustments until it returns to a happy, grey $0.00.
It's good to get in the habit of checking your categories before spending, and make the move prior. That way, you're using your budget to inform choices—not react to them. The mobile app makes this easy! You can even pin your most-used categories to the top of your budget.
Tracking Money Moves
YNAB tracks how and when money moves between your categories and your Ready to Assign so you can see how your priorities may have shifted and use that information to make future budgeting decisions.
For an overview of recent moves, tap the More Menu (three dots at the top left of your budget), then tap Recent Moves. This window will show you the past 34 days of money movements.
Is your regular budgeting routine clogging up your Recent Moves? At the top of the Recent Moves window, you can filter your view by choosing between: All, Moved, or Assigned. Moved will focus on what punches you've thrown lately to cover overspending or re-prioritize, whereas Assigned will show just your basic budget moves. 
Money Moves Icons
What do the different icons mean? I'm glad you asked!
Trash Can: Money moved as a result of category deletion
Arrow: Moved money between categories
Lightning Bolt: Auto-Assigned to one or more categories
Money Stack: Assigned to a category
Tapping on any category will bring you to that specific category’s details for the month of the move.
Category Moves can also be accessed in the Category Details view by tapping the history icon next to the Assigned amount. (iPad users — access your Category Details by tapping on a category within the Recent Moves panel!)
Like on the web, category moves are viewable in the current month, the past three months, and all future months.