How to switch from one Portfolio to another on Autopilot, and what happens to your positions

I'm Chris, one of the co-founders of Autopilot. Switching Portfolios is simple, but it isn't a transfer. It's a sale and a new purchase.

That difference matters, especially at tax time. Here's exactly what happens.

One thing first, because we're an SEC-registered investment adviser and I have to say it. Autopilot is the app. The actual investment advice comes from Autopilot Advisers, LLC. If you want the full legal version of anything in here, it's on our disclaimer page.

1) What switching actually is

There's no button that moves positions from one Portfolio into another. Each Portfolio holds its own positions in your brokerage account.

So switching means two steps. You sell out of the first Portfolio, and you allocate the freed-up money to the second one.

2) Step one: leave the first Portfolio

In the app, tap the Portfolio card, tap the three dots, and choose the option to delete or sell all. That sells the Portfolio's holdings and returns the money to your brokerage account.

The help center says this usually happens the same day, depending on when you start, with the exact timing handled by your brokerage.

If you only want to move part of your money, lower the allocation instead of deleting. That sells down to the new amount and leaves the rest running.

3) Step two: allocate to the new one

Once the cash from the sale is available at your brokerage, pick the new Portfolio and allocate. When it's set up, Autopilot Advisers sends the orders and your broker fills them.

One timing detail. Money from a sale has to settle before it can be used everywhere, so the new Portfolio may wait for settled cash. That's normal, and it's explained in When Autopilot actually trades.

4) The part people forget: taxes

For those unaware, selling positions in a regular brokerage account can create a taxable gain or loss. Switching Portfolios is a sale, so it counts.

In a retirement account the math is different. The general picture is in Autopilot and taxes. I'm not a tax advisor, and neither is Autopilot, so talk to one about your situation before switching a large amount.

5) Before you switch

I want to be honest with you. A lot of people switch right after a Portfolio has a bad stretch. That's often the most expensive time to switch, because you lock in the drop and buy whatever just did well.

Ask whether the Portfolio stopped doing what its description says it does, or whether it's doing exactly that in a bad market. Those call for different decisions.

If you want to stop entirely rather than switch, that's covered in How to reduce, withdraw, stop, or leave.

TLDR: Switching Portfolios is a sale and a new allocation, not a transfer. Delete or lower the first one, wait for the cash to settle, then allocate to the second. In a regular account, the sale can be taxable.

Frequently asked questions

How do I switch portfolios on Autopilot?

Sell out of the first Portfolio by deleting it or lowering its allocation, then allocate the freed-up cash to the new one. The sale usually happens the same day, with timing handled by your brokerage.

What happens when I change portfolios on Autopilot?

The first Portfolio's holdings are sold and the money returns to your brokerage account. Then the new Portfolio buys its positions once you allocate. In a regular brokerage account, the sale can be a taxable event.

Can I move money from one Autopilot portfolio to another?

Not as a direct transfer of positions. You sell out of one Portfolio and allocate the cash to another. If you want to move only part of your money, lower the first Portfolio's allocation instead of deleting it.

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Since Autopilot Advisers is an SEC-registered investment adviser, we have to put disclaimers on stuff like this. They're below, and the full version is on our disclaimer page.

Disclosures

© Autopilot Holdings Corporation 2026 — All rights reserved. “Autopilot” refers to Autopilot Holdings Corporation and its wholly-owned, and separately managed subsidiaries, including Autopilot Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. All investing is subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested, and past performance is not indicative of future results. View our Customer Relationship Summary and other important information at joinautopilot.com/disclaimer.

This information is provided by Autopilot for educational and illustrative purposes only and is not a recommendation, an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy any security. Autopilot relies on information from various sources believed to be reliable, including information from Clients, Pilots and other third parties, but cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of that information. Autopilot does not provide tax or legal advice and you are encouraged to consult with professionals before making investment decisions.

Autopilot is not affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by the companies listed, described, or featured on its site. Company logos or trademarks used do not imply endorsement and are the property of their respective owners.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should carefully consider your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon before investing through Autopilot.

Autopilot Advisers, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional information about Autopilot is available in our Form ADV Part 2A, available at adviserinfo.sec.gov or joinautopilot.com/adv.

Autopilot provides limited investment advisory services focused on Portfolio selection and suitability assessment. Our services are not intended to replace comprehensive financial planning. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor regarding your complete financial situation.

This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any investment decision. You should consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances.

Autopilot does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult with qualified tax and legal professionals regarding your specific circumstances.

Autopilot does not hold client assets. All investments are held at the brokerage firm you select and connect to Autopilot. Your brokerage firm is responsible for trade execution, custody, and reporting. Autopilot is not responsible for your broker-dealer’s services, fees, or execution quality.

Autopilot’s services depend on technology systems, third-party APIs, and internet connectivity. System outages, API disruptions, or connectivity issues may temporarily affect service availability or trade execution timing.

Client account holdings are designed to track the Portfolio you’ve selected, but your actual holdings and performance may differ from the Portfolio due to execution timing, market conditions, brokerage capacity constraints, fractional share availability, and other factors outside Autopilot’s control.

For Portfolios inspired by publicly disclosed trading activity, there may be a delay between when a Pilot executes a trade and when that trade becomes publicly available and is incorporated into the Portfolio. This timing delay may affect the suitability or performance of trades when executed in client accounts.

Selling positions may create taxable events in taxable accounts. Trade timing and settlement are handled by your brokerage. Autopilot does not provide tax or legal advice.