A way to merge JW Library files?

[idezotl]

I’m half tempted to get a cheap android phone just to try your jwlFission and then the jwlFussion app too. 

[jayrtom]

On 9/25/2025 at 11:26 AM, dannysharedstuff said:

 

For example, I currently have two versions of JW Library on my iPad, running simultaneously with this "trick". 

 

 

Can you share more of this trick please?
 

[idezotl]

On 9/10/2025 at 1:53 PM, Eryk said:

For those who are looking for a way to merge JW Library backups off-line (without the potential risks of sharing your data), I am the developer of the following three solutions:

• JWLManager - GUI app for Linux, macOS and Windows
  • in addition to merging, allows you to manage your data in different ways
• jwlFusion - command-line merge utility for Linux, macOS and Windows
• jwlFusion App - Android merge app

All three are free and ad-free.

 

The complications of "conflict resolution" are removed by designating the "authoritative" (primary/principal) archive. If you want more fine-grained control, JWLManager lets you export and import only certain records, so you can create custom backups.

 

I hope these prove to be useful.

@Eryk 

1. With JWLManager is there a way to sort by modified date/newest notes and only export those to an excel file to import into another database? 

 

2. I tried a basic merge but ended up with a 5 less notes than my master copy. IE: I opened the non master copy, then selected 'merge' and selected my main device/master copy. Maybe JWLManager identified some 'duplicates' in the master copy when it was merging the two? I'm not sure how it identifies duplicates, when I go to notes>duplicates and then select them > view. It looks like notes with the same title? Is that right? Thanks in advance for explaining the logic/helping. 

[Eryk]

6 hours ago, idezotl said:

With JWLManager is there a way to sort by modified date/newest notes and only export those to an excel file to import into another database?

You can export the notes to an Excel spreadsheet. There you will have the columns CREATED and MODIFIED. You can sort by either one. Delete any that you don't want. Share/import the result.

 

6 hours ago, idezotl said:

Maybe JWLManager identified some 'duplicates' in the master copy when it was merging the two?

Yes JWLManager considers as duplicates notes with the same title but different (non-empty) content, or same content but different title - at the same location. But these kinds of duplicates are not removed automatically when merging; that's why I have added the "Duplicates" grouping.

More than likely, the merge found some empty notes as part of its clean-up. If you want, you can send me your MASKED backups and I will tell you exactly which notes were excluded ;-) 

[idezotl]

@Eryk, with your feedback I was able to determine they were empty notes. Couple more questions as I figure out my workflow/study flow. 

 

I use my tablet for personal study/meetings. I consider this my 'master' database as I've only ever used JW Library merging apps that just combine everything together. 

 

1. I see that highlights don't have time stamps. Occasionally, I change the color of certain highlights in my Daily Bible Reading.. If I export highlights from my phone database and then import them into my tablet database, how are conflicts resolved? Or should I just be selective in what I study on my phone, like perhaps upcoming study Watchtowers and only export highlights from articles I haven't studied on my tablet yet? 

(edit: just saw in the help file a possible answer but still asking how best to do this. As my tablet JW Library database is the master and would be open in JWLManager, how would I make those highlights the 'primary?' Export tablet highlights, open phone database in JWLManger, import those highlights, now after merged, export highlights from the opened now modified phone database and then import them into the tablet database?) - I'm sure I'm overcomplicating that. 

 

I like the idea of being able to delete notes with certain tags and even export them to an excel file before deleting them. For some time I was using a temporary tag but eventually gave up after realizing how long it would take to delete them by hand and the occasional accidental 'marge' addition. I will start using my temp tag again. IE: for the Cong Bible Study, I always add the extra questions, "What does this account teach us about Jehovah? & What practical lessons can we learn from this account?" but do I need 50+ notes that say that? 😃 

 

2. Based on your knowledge of these databases, I was wondering if you have any suggestions regarding saving very long notes, like long typed out notes from broadcasts or public talks? Right now I have a dedicated note taking app. But like the idea of having everything in one place. Maybe adding such notes to the day they happened in the Examining the scriptures daily publication or as an "unattached" note in the personal study area. But also don't want to make these database too large or slow. Any concern from what you'v seen about making the JW Library database too large and text heavy? 

 

3. Is anyone aware of any boolean operators that work in the "search" field under 'Notes and Tags' in the Personal Study tab? I see '*' star doesn't work for a wild card. I realize adding all my notes from future broadcasts, public talks etc will only be useful if I can find them again in the future almost like a spiritual personal knowledge base (PKM). Any suggestions are welcome. Also just had the idea of occasionally exporting 'notes' using JWLManager to another app that maybe has a more forgiving search function that I could fall back on in a pinch, if I'm trying to find something and don't have the exact phrase. 

 

Thanks again. 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by idezotl
saw a help document and wanted to add some info before it got posted.