What Is a Recipe Keeper App? A Guide to Saving and Switching Apps Without Losing Your Recipes

What Is a Recipe Keeper App?

A recipe keeper app is a digital tool that stores and organizes recipes from any source—websites, cookbooks, photos, or pasted text—in one searchable location. Instead of taking screenshots, bookmarking scattered links, or keeping a folder of printed pages, you save recipes in one app and access them on your phone, tablet, or web browser whenever you cook. Most let you tag recipes by cuisine, meal type, cook time, or dietary preference; some include meal planning and grocery-list features; nearly all let you export your full collection anytime, so your recipes stay yours if you switch apps or the service changes.

Why Use a Recipe Keeper Instead of Screenshots or Bookmarks?

A dedicated recipe keeper beats the scattered approach because your recipes stay searchable and organized across all your devices. If you're currently keeping recipes as phone screenshots, browser bookmarks, or printed clippings, you're managing them manually—scrolling through folders, re-reading your notes on paper, or forgetting which version was the one you liked. A recipe keeper app stores them all in one place, syncs across devices, and helps you build a grocery list from the week's meals without re-reading every recipe.

Bookmarks stay locked in your browser; screenshots pile up in your photo library and aren't searchable by ingredient or cuisine; printed recipes fade and take up space. A recipe keeper centralizes everything.

Key Features That Matter

Not all recipe keeper apps are built the same. When comparing options, check for these features:

How to Switch Apps Safely (Especially if Mealime Is Closing Your App)

If you're leaving a recipe keeper app, the golden rule is: always export your recipes before you delete the app. Some apps are shutting down or being discontinued. Mealime, which has more than 1 million Android installs, is closing 21 October 2026 with no official export tool—so if you're a Mealime user, act now.

Step 1: Export Your Recipes from the Old App

Check your app's Settings or Menu for an Export or Backup option. Here's what you'll find in common apps:

• Paprika: Go to Settings → Export → save as .paprikarecipes file (includes photos, categories, ratings, and notes—this is the best-case export)
• AnyList, BigOven, Plan to Eat, Copy Me That, Recipe Keeper, Samsung Food, Yummly: Most do not have a direct export. You'll need to save recipes one-by-one via share button, screenshot your favorites, or manually re-add the ones you cook most.
• Mealime (closing Oct 21): No export available. Use Mealfolder's Mealime rescue—paste your favorite recipe names and the app will look them up in an index of all 3,291 public Mealime recipes and save them with photos included. Alternatively, screenshot your favorite list and manually add the recipes you use most to your new app.

Step 2: Check What the New App Can Import

If your old app exported a standard format (like Paprika's .paprikarecipes file), look for an Import function in the new app's Settings. If your old app has no export, you'll bring recipes in one of these ways:

• Link: Share or add recipes by their website URL
• Photo: Upload a screenshot or cookbook photo and paste the recipe text
• Paste: Copy-paste the recipe directly into the new app

Step 3: Import and Verify

After importing, spot-check a few recipes to make sure photos, notes, and categories came through correctly. Some apps lose images during transfer, or strip out your custom notes. If you notice data lost, you may need to re-add those recipes manually or use a different import method.

Moving Your Collection: App by App

From Paprika: Export your recipes as a .paprikarecipes file and import directly into your new app. Photos, categories, ratings, and notes should all transfer.

From AnyList: AnyList does not export. Share recipes one-by-one to your new app using the share button, or screenshot your collection and manually add the recipes you make regularly. If you have only a small set of go-to recipes, this is manageable; if you have 100+ recipes, plan to re-add them over time.

From Plan to Eat: Plan to Eat can export a backup; check if your new app accepts that format. If not, share or add recipes by link.

From Copy Me That: Copy Me That does not export. Screenshot your list and manually re-add your favorites, or use the share button to add recipes one-by-one.

From Samsung Food (formerly Whisk): No direct export. Use the share button to send recipes to your new app individually.

From Recipe Keeper: Recipe Keeper exports to PDF. Screenshot your list and re-add your most-used recipes, or share them individually using the app's share feature.

From BigOven: BigOven can export; check if your new app accepts the format. If not, add recipes by link or manually.

From Yummly: Yummly does not export. Screenshot your collection and re-add your favorites by hand, or use Yummly's share button to send recipes one-by-one to your new app.

What Happens to Your Data After You Switch?

Once you've imported recipes into your new app, the recipes you added are yours in that app. If you delete the old app, you won't lose the recipes in the new one—they're separate copies now. That's why it's safe to switch, as long as you export or manually save before deleting the old app. Always keep a backup of your most important recipes (a screenshot, a list, or a full export file saved to your computer) in case anything goes wrong.

FAQs About Recipe Keeper Apps

Will I lose my recipes if the app shuts down?

Only if you haven't exported them. Apps that let you download a full backup of your recipe collection protect you—if the app closes, you have a copy on your computer. Apps with no export feature (like Mealime) leave you vulnerable. Before committing to any recipe keeper, confirm it has an export function and test it.

Can I use a recipe keeper app offline?

Most apps need internet to save new recipes and sync across devices, but many cache your recipes so you can view them without a connection. Check the app's feature list before downloading—this matters if you plan meals without cell service.

How much does a recipe keeper app cost?

Most offer a free tier with 10–50 recipes and a paid plan for $0.99–$19.99 per year. Mealfolder, for example, is free for 10 recipes, $12.99/year for unlimited, or $19.99/year for a household of up to six. Some apps are free but include ads. A good free tier should let you save at least 10 recipes; anything less is a demo, not a real free plan.

Can I share my recipe collection with family?

Some apps (like Mealfolder's Household plan) let multiple people access and edit the same collection. Others are single-user only. If you meal-plan with housemates or family and want them to see your recipes and grocery lists, check this feature before choosing.

What format should I use to back up my recipes?

Use whatever format the app offers—usually a file download (like Paprika's .paprikarecipes) or a PDF export. Save it on your computer in a folder labeled "Recipe Backups" with the date, so you know which version is current. Back up once a year or after adding a large batch of new recipes.