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Bazzy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 8, 2009
299
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Hi All,

I currently have 3 Macbook Pros (will be selling one eventually) & use them all at different times/locations. I also have a Time Capsule & use Super-Duper for back ups usually. 2 of them run Mojave & one runs High Sierra.

I would like to ask, what is the easiest, quickest & best way to ensure that they all have exactly the same information/data on them (synced?) so that one does not miss data/information that might be on the others?

Many Thanks!
 
I don't think restoring data constantly from your backups is going to be a feasible solution to this. The best option I can think of for macOS is enabling iCloud Desktop and Documents, as well as Photos.
 
I would like to ask, what is the easiest, quickest & best way to ensure that they all have exactly the same information/data on them (synced?) so that one does not miss data/information that might be on the others?

Which information/data? Operating System? Applications? User Documents? ....
 
Which information/data? Operating System? Applications? User Documents? ....

Hi,

Thanks for replying! It will be mainly things like documents, photos, mail etc & on the very odd occasion, possibly apps.

Many Thanks!
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I don't think restoring data constantly from your backups is going to be a feasible solution to this. The best option I can think of for macOS is enabling iCloud Desktop and Documents, as well as Photos.

Hi,

Thanks too for replying - I will have a look at the info you provided - I do not have a premium iCloud storage subscription but hopefully the standard limit will suffice!

Just wish there was an easy way to hook up two macs together & simply press a button named something like "Duplicate Data To From Macbook A to Macbook B" !!

Thanks!
 
It will be mainly things like documents, photos, mail etc & on the very odd occasion, possibly apps.

Some things, such as documents, might be handled if you use iCloud services, such as iCloud drive. App duplication is problematic as different apps may install things into different places. If you are using an iMap mail server then changes on made on one mac will be reflected on all.

Don't know how conflict resolution would be handled, however, for some of these things, like documents. If two Macs make changes to the same file at the same time there are potential problems.

Hopefully someone who shares the same user data on multiple machines can comment.
 
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Some things, such as documents, might be handled if you use iCloud services, such as iCloud drive. App duplication is problematic as different apps may install things into different places. If you are using an iMap mail server then changes on made on one mac will be reflected on all.

Don't know how conflict resolution would be handled, however, for some of these things, like documents. If two Macs make changes to the same file at the same time there are potential problems.

Hopefully someone who shares the same user data on multiple machines can comment.

Hi HDFan,

Thanks again for replying! Good to know that Mail changes will be reflected across all units on iMap servers - tbh, my mail app is a mess - constantly having issues & problems like not accepting passwords. constantly asking for them, not deleting deleted mails, junk filters not working & just crashing etc - it is a real pain tbh. I think some of my emails are in the POP format so I guess I will have to change them to iMap? Not sure how to do that so will seek help on this as well!

If need be, I willing to bypass the App side of things if it makes the process easier - I can update each unit manually as installing/removing Apps is not a frequent thing for me.

However, things, like documents, photos, notes & other data are required to be the same across the laptops.

I thought this might be simple to do as I know many serious Mac owners have multiple units - ie: both a desktop & laptop etc for their work!

Many Thanks!
 
Just thinking out loud here. Don’t know if this would work or not. Assuming all MBPs can run a common OS (the highest possible for the oldest MBP), could you not clone one of the boot drives onto an external and just boot all MBPs from it. 3 machines, one hard drive. Would there be issues from each MBPs unique MAC addresses? Enquiring minds want to know.
 
There's a difference as to whether you need multiple users simultaneously working on the same documents, or that you simply want the same data available to you on whatever Mac you use.

Overall, the cloud (whether iCloud or other) is the solution to "my data everywhere" - it's been that way for quite a few years. Many cloud platforms (including iCloud) also provide for collaborative/simultaneous manipulations of the same files. The data is centrally stored - the cloud version being the "master." Changes are pushed up to the cloud and then pushed down from the cloud to the other computers and mobile devices attached to that cloud account. It works constantly and beautifully for me - multiple Macs, iPhone, iPad... all synchronized.

If you're looking for a "I want all my data stored locally and constantly synchronized" solution... you still need the cloud in some form, because the machines have to constantly communicate and update in order to achieve that, and the software needs to manage conflicts, etc. The cloud has been that solution for quite a few years now.
 
I think some of my emails are in the POP format so I guess I will have to change them to iMap? Not sure how to do that so will seek help on this as well!

Contact your email provider. Hopefully they have an iMap option.
 
Hi All,

I currently have 3 Macbook Pros (will be selling one eventually) & use them all at different times/locations. I also have a Time Capsule & use Super-Duper for back ups usually. 2 of them run Mojave & one runs High Sierra.

I would like to ask, what is the easiest, quickest & best way to ensure that they all have exactly the same information/data on them (synced?) so that one does not miss data/information that might be on the others?

Many Thanks!

This one.

 
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Hi All,

I currently have 3 Macbook Pros (will be selling one eventually) & use them all at different times/locations. I also have a Time Capsule & use Super-Duper for back ups usually. 2 of them run Mojave & one runs High Sierra.

I would like to ask, what is the easiest, quickest & best way to ensure that they all have exactly the same information/data on them (synced?) so that one does not miss data/information that might be on the others?

Many Thanks!

One way to sync your data on multiple Macs is by using iCloud. Apple-specific apps automatically store your data there. You can access them by logging into your Apple ID on other Mac and iOS devices. That way you can access emails, contacts, pictures and so on from different Macs.
Another fairly straightforward method is to use an alternative cloud storage system such as Dropbox, Google Docs or Office 365. All of these keep your data online rather than on a local Mac. If you make an account on one of these and sign in using your email, you will be provided with the up to date version of your documents. You can access and work with the same data on different Mac devices.
If you are working offline or don’t want to use cloud storage, you can save your files on your Macbook and sync them later. There are a few different apps you can use. However, in order to use some of them, such as ChronoSync Express, the Macs you want to synchronise must run the same version of MacOS. The applications on both Macs should also be updated to the same version.
Hope this Helps!
 
This one.


Hi!

Thanks for the link!
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One way to sync your data on multiple Macs is by using iCloud. Apple-specific apps automatically store your data there. You can access them by logging into your Apple ID on other Mac and iOS devices. That way you can access emails, contacts, pictures and so on from different Macs.
Another fairly straightforward method is to use an alternative cloud storage system such as Dropbox, Google Docs or Office 365. All of these keep your data online rather than on a local Mac. If you make an account on one of these and sign in using your email, you will be provided with the up to date version of your documents. You can access and work with the same data on different Mac devices.
If you are working offline or don’t want to use cloud storage, you can save your files on your Macbook and sync them later. There are a few different apps you can use. However, in order to use some of them, such as ChronoSync Express, the Macs you want to synchronise must run the same version of MacOS. The applications on both Macs should also be updated to the same version.
Hope this Helps!

Hi!

Thanks greatly for this!

I will look into iCloud - tbh, I have never really used it - I guess I have to stay within the free 2GB limit to avoid charges?

Out of the others you mentioned, which do you feel are the best & easiest to use as again, I have not used most of them.

Is Chronosync the only app to sync stuff between macs or are there other options? I think it is about $50 to $60 USD. Is it worth the money then considering the other options you listed? What of all them would you choose for light transfers between Mac's?

I was looking at one of the descriptions in Chronosync & it states:

Screenshot 2020-04-24 at 14.38.00.png


What is this "Built In" File Sharing in MacOS they refer to & will it also do the job as they have stated?

Many Thanks!
 
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Generally speaking:

1. Traditional file sharing won't sync between different machines. You could work on the files on the server....but you need a server, and there are still some limitations and performance issues.

2. Many syncing tools can do what you ask (iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox, Mega, Box, etc., but the vast majority are cloud based. So you have to pay for the space you use, as the files get sync'd (copied over to) the server, then pushed out to other participating machines. One bonus you get for your money: All your sync'd files are also kept in the cloud...which gives you a layer of protection against catastrophic loss (like your house burned down with all your computers and backups). Mega used to offer up to 50GB of free space, and has a good Mac and iOS client.

3. If you are interested in running your own sync server, Synology offers a nice tool for syncing called Drive. Instead of renting a service like #2 above, you buy and run your own syncing service. More money up front, but full control and no ongoing cloud charges. QNAP and others may have similar sync options

4. Find a true client-to-client (no server, no cloud storage) tool. ChronoSync is one, though a bit technical for the average user. There are others...some reviews here (some of these tools are server/cloud based, some not).
 
I would like to ask, what is the easiest, quickest & best way to ensure that they all have exactly the same information/data on them (synced?) so that one does not miss data/information that might be on the others?

I've been using Syncthing:


...although I probably wouldn't risk it on app or system folders it is fine for documents. Big selling point is that it is cross-platform - I used it to sync between a Mac, Windows and a Linux file server.
 
One way to sync your data on multiple Macs is by using iCloud. Apple-specific apps automatically store your data there. You can access them by logging into your Apple ID on other Mac and iOS devices. That way you can access emails, contacts, pictures and so on from different Macs.
Another fairly straightforward method is to use an alternative cloud storage system such as Dropbox, Google Docs or Office 365. All of these keep your data online rather than on a local Mac. If you make an account on one of these and sign in using your email, you will be provided with the up to date version of your documents. You can access and work with the same data on different Mac devices.
If you are working offline or don’t want to use cloud storage, you can save your files on your Macbook and sync them later. There are a few different apps you can use. However, in order to use some of them, such as ChronoSync Express, the Macs you want to synchronise must run the same version of MacOS. The applications on both Macs should also be updated to the same version.
Hope this Helps!

One clarification: Dropbox, at least, does not keep your data online "rather than" on your Mac. Files are stored on your Macs' local drives, as well as on the Dropbox servers. I've found it to be extremely effective for keeping files synced. For convenience, you can keep an alias of the Dropbox folder on your desktop, and/or add it to the Finder window sidebar. It works with differing versions of macOS - Mojave and High Sierra in my case.
 
One clarification: Dropbox, at least, does not keep your data online "rather than" on your Mac. Files are stored on your Macs' local drives, as well as on the Dropbox servers. I've found it to be extremely effective for keeping files synced. For convenience, you can keep an alias of the Dropbox folder on your desktop, and/or add it to the Finder window sidebar. It works with differing versions of macOS - Mojave and High Sierra in my case.
On clarification about Dropbox - mirroring your cloud-based files to the local machine can be disabled. Fact of the matter is, a lot of people don't realize the mirroring is taking place until their hard drive mysteriously fills up, at which point someone might just suggest they turn the feature off if they don't need offline access to every file.

This is little different than iCloud's options in iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos to "Optimize Storage" or "Download and Keep Originals."
 
I have a mac at work, and a (different) mac at home. Both need to have the same data. Both locations have slow internet. How do I set up a hard drive so that I can carry the contents between the two locations, and have it automatically sync the data from one to the other.
I want to work of the macs internal SSD's at both locations, but have the external hard drive always synced with the latest data - so I can leave the office at a moments notice, pull the hard drive, then when I get home, have all the data sync from external drive to the internal SSD as soon as it is plugged in.
Icloud / dropbox are too slow due to slow internet.
 
I have a mac at work, and a (different) mac at home. Both need to have the same data. Both locations have slow internet. How do I set up a hard drive so that I can carry the contents between the two locations, and have it automatically sync the data from one to the other.
I want to work of the macs internal SSD's at both locations, but have the external hard drive always synced with the latest data - so I can leave the office at a moments notice, pull the hard drive, then when I get home, have all the data sync from external drive to the internal SSD as soon as it is plugged in.
Icloud / dropbox are too slow due to slow internet.
You would want to use an application that could be setup to sync specific folders, either ideally continually.

There are tons of sync tools out there, so you may want to try a few to see what you like. Some backup tools also do file sync, like GetBackup. There are also sync tools more specific, like this.

Regardless of which one you use, set up some test syncs. Be sure that everything works as expected and that the newer files overwrite the older as you want.

It would be good to have a good, scheduled backup too. While this is always true, with constant file syncs and potential over writting, it would even more important to have some document history/old versions available.
 
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