Back Up, Import, Export and Share Profiles

Profile backup and profile sharing solve different problems:

A backup saves all mapping profiles from this device in one JSON file.
A share link publishes one mapping profile so another PlayAbility user can import it.

Prerequisites and safety

Profile backup is available to PlayAbility Pro Edition subscribers.
Sharing requires you to be signed in, an internet connection, and a profile containing at least one mapping.
Treat imported profiles like software configuration. Keyboard outputs can type into applications, and Settings outputs can change sensitive PlayAbility controls. Import only from a source you trust.
Overlay profiles are separate and are not included in mapping-profile backups or shared mapping profiles.

Export all mapping profiles

Open Settings.
Select General.
Find Profile backup.
Select Export All Profiles.
Keep the downloaded playability-profiles.json file in a safe location.

The file contains all mapping profiles and their profile order/history from this PlayAbility installation. It does not contain overlay profiles.

Create a new export after making important mapping changes. A backup is a snapshot and does not update itself.

Import a profile backup

Open Settings > General.
Under Profile backup, select Import All Profiles.
Select a PlayAbility profile-backup JSON file.
Review any validation message.
If Security Warning appears:
1. Review the listed keyboard and Settings outputs.
2. Continue only if you trust the source.
3. Select the acknowledgment checkbox.
4. Select Proceed with Import.
Wait for the import result.

The import adds valid profiles whose names do not already exist. It does not overwrite an existing same-name profile. If every profile in the file already exists, PlayAbility reports that there are no new profiles to import.

Load the profile you want to share.
Open Mapping.
Select Share beside the profile name.
Optionally enter a description explaining the profile's purpose, required equipment, and important controls.
Select Share.
Select Copy to copy the public link.
Send the link only to the intended recipients.

Anyone with the link can access the published mapping profile. Sharing does not publish your other profiles or your overlay layout.

An empty profile cannot be shared. Add and configure at least one mapping first.

Editing your local profile does not automatically change the public copy.

Open the changed profile in Mapping.
Select Share.
If PlayAbility says the profile changed since it was shared, review the description.
Select Update shared profile.
Wait for the success message.

The existing public link remains the link to give recipients. If PlayAbility says the latest version is not fully linked yet, reopen Share or select Update shared profile again so it can retry.

Import a shared profile

Open the public share link on a computer with PlayAbility installed.
Allow the link to open PlayAbility when prompted.
In Import Shared Profile, review the profile name, description, mapping count, and any security warning.
Choose an import mode:
- Add as new profile creates a separate profile. Edit the proposed profile name if needed.
- Append to current profile adds the shared mappings to the editable profile that is currently loaded.
If a security warning appears, acknowledge it only after reviewing and trusting the profile.
Select Import.
When appending, resolve any duplicate-output conflicts:
- Keep current keeps your existing mapping for that output.
- Replace with shared replaces it with the shared mapping.
Select Apply Resolutions.

Adding as a new profile is the safest choice when you want to test a shared setup without changing the current profile.

Find links you have already shared

Open Settings.
Select Your account.
Find My Shared Profiles.
Select Refresh if the list is not current.
Use Copy to copy a profile's Share Link, or Import to import your published copy.

You must be signed in to load this list.

Verify the backup or shared profile

After importing:

Open Profiles and confirm each new profile appears.
Load an imported profile.
Review its mappings before enabling output.
Test one mapping at a time.
Confirm that keyboard and Settings outputs match what you expected.

After sharing:

Reopen Share on the same profile.
Confirm the public link is displayed.
If the profile changed, confirm that Update shared profile completes before sending the link.

Troubleshooting and limitations

Export All Profiles or Import All Profiles is disabled

Profile backup requires Pro Edition. Select the Pro badge in Profile backup to review the upgrade option.

The imported backup did not replace a profile

Backup import skips profile names that already exist. Rename or delete the existing profile first only if you are certain it is no longer needed, then import again.

Overlay controls are missing after import

Overlay profiles are excluded. Export and import them separately from the Overlay settings.

Add at least one mapping action and try again. Configure its trigger before sharing so the recipient receives a usable control.

Open Settings > Your account and sign in, then return to the profile and select Share again.

A shared profile conflicts with the current profile

Two mappings conflict when they target the same output type and output code. Review each conflict and choose Keep current or Replace with shared. Import as a new profile if you do not want to merge them.

Adding a shared profile shows a profile-limit prompt

Normal account profile limits also apply to shared imports. Follow the prompt to replace the editable profile or review the Pro Edition option. Cancel first and make a backup if replacing the profile would remove controls you need.

A security warning appears

This is expected when an import contains keyboard or sensitive Settings outputs. Cancel if you do not recognize the source or do not understand what those mappings will do.

The public link still shows an older version

Open the local profile, select Share, and use Update shared profile. If a pending-link notice remains, reopen the dialog or retry the update.

Updated on: 29/07/2026