Task Types

Everything SyncFolder does is organized in tasks. A task describes what to copy, from where to where, how, and when. The task type — called the copy method on the Task configuration page — decides how SyncFolder treats new, modified and deleted files.

The Four Copy Methods

Task typeCopy method in the appNew / modified filesDeleted files
1-way sync1-way sync from source to destinationCopied from source to destinationDeleted at the destination when deleted at the source
2-way sync2-way sync between location A and BCopied in both directionsDeleted on the other side when deleted on one side
CopyCopy source to destinationCopied from source to destinationNever deleted at the destination
Cut and pasteCut and move source to destinationMoved to the destinationRemoved from the source after a successful copy

1-Way Sync

1-Way sync taskBackup / mirror

Files are copied in only one direction: from a source location to a destination location. SyncFolder expects files to change only at the source. The destination becomes an exact 1:1 replica of the source, and only new and changed files are copied — an efficient way to make a backup.

  • If a file is newer at the source, it is copied to the destination. If a file is newer at the destination, it is not copied back to the source.
  • If a file is deleted from the source, it is also deleted from the destination.
  • If a file is deleted at the destination, it is not automatically restored. To get it back, reset the task or switch on Scan destination on every sync; the file is then copied again on the next run.

Files and folders at the destination that don't exist at the source (and are not excluded by a filter) are deleted when the task runs. The very first time this happens, SyncFolder doesn't delete anything but asks you to confirm first — see Task Status.

2-Way Sync

2-Way sync taskKeep two places in sync

Files are copied in both directions to reconcile changes. SyncFolder expects files to change in both locations, called location A and location B, and treats them as equivalent.

  • If a file is newer in location A, it is copied to location B, and vice versa.
  • If a file is deleted from location A, it is also deleted from location B, and vice versa.
  • If the same file was changed in both locations since the last run, that is a conflict. How SyncFolder handles it is set in Synchronization Actions; open conflicts can be resolved on the Resolve Sync Conflicts page.

This is the right choice if you work with the same files in two places and always want the most recent version, whichever location you use.

First run and after a reset. When the task runs for the first time (or after a reset), SyncFolder has no history yet. Files and folders that exist in only one location are then copied to the other location; nothing is deleted. Only files that exist on both sides with different content are treated as conflicts.

Not every storage type can be used in a 2-way task. The phone/MTP, FTP, SFTP and Google Drive location types are not available. See Selecting a Storage Location.

Copy

Copy taskNever deletes

A copy task checks the source location for changes and compares it to the destination location. All new and modified files are copied to the destination.

It differs from 1-way sync in that it never deletes files from the destination. Files that already existed at the destination, or that were copied there earlier but no longer exist at the source, stay at the destination.

Cut and Paste

Cut and paste taskMoves files

This task compares the source location with the destination location. Any file that is different or doesn't exist at the destination is copied there. When that is done, all files and subfolders at the source that were copied successfully are deleted from the source.

Special Task Types

Besides the four copy methods, SyncFolder has two special kinds of tasks:

Group

A group contains two or more existing tasks and runs them one after the other. A group has its own schedule and triggers.

Import task for photos and videos

A task that SyncFolder creates for you the first time you click Import on the Home page. It lets you pick which photos and videos to copy from a camera, memory card or phone.

Which Task Type Should I Use?

Backup of my documents to a USB drive or NAS1-way sync. The backup always matches your documents, and only changes are copied.
Archive that must keep everythingCopy. Files you delete or clean up at the source remain in the archive.
Same files on my laptop and my desktop (via a NAS)2-way sync. Changes made on either side end up on both.
Empty a download or scan folderCut and paste. Files are moved to their final location and removed from the inbox folder.

Related topics: Configuring a Task · Task Groups · Importing Photos and Videos