Your Mac

Kin Server updates itself when Install updates automatically is on in Settings → Updates on your Mac. That’s also where you can see which version you have. Admins get a Server update available card on the app’s Home screen, and can tap Update now in Family → Server Settings from anywhere.

During an update, Kin Server restarts and is back in a moment. If an update comes with new terms, it waits until you agree to them.

If something seems off after an update:

1. Click the Kin icon in your Mac’s menu bar and choose Quit Kin Server…, then Stop server and quit.
2. Open Kin Server from Applications again.
3. Check that Settings → Updates shows the new version.

The iPhone app updates through TestFlight. Open TestFlight, tap Kin, and turn on Automatic Updates, or tap Update when one is waiting. Keeping both up to date matters most when you’re connected with other families.

Yes. Your Mac makes an encrypted backup every night and keeps the last seven. To keep a copy somewhere else, like an external drive, open Kin Server on your Mac, go to Settings → Backup and choose Save an encrypted copy. It’s locked with your password. Kin’s model isn’t included, since it downloads again.

Make a fresh backup on your old Mac first. On the new Mac, choose Moving from another Mac on the first screen and pick your backup. Kin brings everything back, moves your license, and your family’s phones reconnect on their own. If your old Mac is still on, it steps aside by itself, so only one Mac serves your family.

Yes. Your family can reach Kin only while your Mac is on and awake, and Kin also does its thinking overnight. If Kin Server says This Mac is allowed to fall asleep, click Keep this Mac awake to fix it. The screen can still turn off. On a MacBook, keep it plugged in: Kin never keeps a Mac awake on battery.