Files starting with ._ are created by macOS when copying a file that has extended attributes to a volume that doesn’t support them. This special file is used to save the extended attributes that would otherwise be lost. An example of a volume format that doesn’t support extended attributes is FAT32. These files are hidden…

By default, a sync item consists of two bases: a source and a destination. When changing the sync type to two-way sync, there is no concept of source and destination anymore, since every base is source and destination at the same time. All bases need to have the same type: they all need to be…

Schedules allow sync items and sync groups to run automatically at specified dates and times or when the source and destination volumes become available. For sync items, a schedule allows to select which action to run: For information about the last two actions, see Verify backups. To view and modify schedules, click the button with…

By default, SyncTime appears both in the Dock and as a Menu Bar icon. Only apps that appear in the Dock are listed in the Force Quit window ( > Force Quit). If you disabled the option to show SyncTime in the Dock, in order to force quit it:

In macOS, you can select any app to be automatically launched at login. On macOS 13 or newer, when launched at login, SyncTime will automatically hide its windows.

The backup strategy defines if and how overwritten and removed files can be recovered. The backup strategy can be changed in the Backup tab of the sync item settings. Note: when the option Keep synced in background is enabled, while applying changes in background, removed and overwritten files are not backed up to avoid filling…

SyncTime detects hard links on the source and recreates them on the destination. Symbolic links and Finder aliases are not followed, but copied as a link. These links can generally not be followed in sandboxed apps from the Mac App Store. If you want to copy files pointed to by a symbolic link or a…

The sync confirmation dialog is displayed by default. To skip the confirmation dialog and apply the changes automatically, enable the option Skip confirmation dialog in the Advanced tab of the sync item settings. The confirmation dialog shows all the changes that will be applied during a sync, grouped by files to be removed, overwritten and…

Use sync groups to create lists of sync items and nested groups and run them either sequentially or concurrently with the click of a button. Add a sync group In the sidebar, click the + button to add a new sync group. Remove a sync group Add a step Sync item To add an existing…

Important: make sure that by default a sync doesn’t throw any error. Don’t simply ignore all errors, or at some point you might risk dismissing new errors about files important to you. Sync errors can also be a cause for apparent misbehaviours in different areas of the app, e.g. causing schedules to run outside of…