Sync Overview
Sync keeps your 2Do tasks available on your other devices through an account you choose. Open Settings > Sync setup > Sync Method to pick a service:
- iCloud syncs your 2Do tasks, attachments, lists, tags, and Smart Lists with 2Do on Android, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is the recommended method when every device supports it and you use an Apple Account.
- Dropbox carries your 2Do task data and organization, including attachments, and also works with older 2Do versions.
- Todoist lets you work with the same tasks in 2Do and Todoist. Todoist projects become 2Do lists. Some 2Do features stay local or need extra details in task notes.
- iCloud CalDAV uses Apple's CalDAV task service and an app-specific password. It is separate from the recommended iCloud method.
- Custom CalDAV connects to providers such as Fruux, Yahoo!, FastMail, Nextcloud, or your own CalDAV task server.
- Toodledo connects your tasks to your Toodledo account and its web app.
Choose None if you want to keep your ordinary lists on this device without an account.
Every sync method works during 2Do's full-featured trial. After the trial ends, syncing requires 2Do Pro on Android.
Choose One Method, Use It Everywhere
Use the same sync method and the same account on every device that should show your own tasks. For example, iCloud on your iPhone and Dropbox on Android keep separate copies. Even the two iCloud choices are separate services: choose iCloud everywhere, or iCloud CalDAV everywhere.
For iCloud, Android signs in through your browser. The Apple apps use the Apple Account signed in to iCloud in the device's system settings. Check that these are the same account. See iCloud requirements.
To collaborate with someone who uses a different Apple Account, use iCloud list sharing. Shared lists have their own access permissions and sync separately from your other lists.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Method | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud | Your own supported 2Do devices | Carries task details, attachments, list groups, tag groups, and Smart Lists. Requires the same Apple Account. |
| Dropbox | Your own 2Do devices, including older versions | Carries task details, attachments, and saved organization. Requires the same Dropbox account. |
| Todoist | Using both 2Do and Todoist | Syncs lists, sections, tasks, tags, dates, and supported reminders. Attachments, locations, and saved groups do not sync. |
| iCloud CalDAV / Custom CalDAV | Using a CalDAV task account | Syncs supported task fields. Provider capabilities vary; list groups, tag groups, and Smart Lists do not sync. |
| Toodledo | Using a Toodledo account | Syncs supported task fields. Does not carry attachments or all 2Do organization. |
Your tasks do not appear in Apple Reminders through iCloud or iCloud CalDAV. Android does not support the separate Apple Reminders sync method.
2Do does not sync with Google Tasks because its public API cannot carry core details such as due times, priorities, and tags. See Sync with Google Tasks for the limits and supported alternatives.
Setting Up a New Device
First, sync the device with your complete, current tasks and let it finish. Then connect the new Android device to the same service and account.
- iCloud: an empty device downloads the account's data automatically. If asked, choose Keep iCloud Tasks when iCloud contains the copy you want.
- Dropbox or CalDAV: choose Replace data on this device when asked how to begin, so this device receives the existing account data.
- Todoist: the first connection uses Merge sync. To deliberately replace this device's synced data with Todoist's copy, use Settings > Sync setup > Next sync action > Replace data on this device. Lists excluded from sync stay on this device.
- Toodledo: choose Replace data on this device to receive the account's copy, or merge when you need to keep tasks from both sides.
If this device has tasks that have not reached the account, make a backup from Settings > Manage Backups before replacing anything. Share the backup to keep a copy off the device.
Replace Server Data vs Replace Local Data
Replacement chooses which copy to keep. The wording depends on your sync method:
| What you want | iCloud | Dropbox / CalDAV | Todoist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep data from both sides | Combine Tasks | No merge choice in Next sync action | Merge sync |
| Replace this device's synced data with the account's data | Keep iCloud Tasks | Replace data on this device | Replace data on this device |
| Replace the account's data with this device's copy | Keep This Device's Tasks | Replace server data | Not available |
Toodledo offers Sync normally, Merge local data with server, and Replace data on this device. It does not offer a whole-account replacement from this device.
Set a deliberate choice under Settings > Sync setup > Next sync action, go back, and confirm. Return to the task list and pull down to start the sync. After a successful sync, the setting returns to normal syncing. For iCloud's first connection, see First Sync.
Replacing removes data that exists only on the side being replaced. Replacing the account's data also affects the other devices using that account. Make a backup and confirm which copy contains the work you want before proceeding.
Switching Sync Methods
- Sync every device with the current service and let each sync finish.
- On the device with your complete data, make a backup and keep a copy off the device.
- Open Settings > Sync setup > Sync Method, choose the destination service, and sign in. Choosing a method stops this device using the previous one, even if you cancel the browser sign-in.
- Let that device finish its first sync. Read any merge or replacement choice before confirming.
- Connect your other devices to the destination service and the same account. Use the account's copy when it already contains their tasks, or merge if they have separate work to keep.
Choosing a service does not copy data directly from the old service. The tasks already on the device provide the starting copy. Follow Moving from Dropbox to iCloud for that specific change.
Background Sync on Android
Set the interval under Settings > Sync setup > Sync automatically. Android decides when background work may run, so an interval is a request rather than a promise that every update appears at that exact time. Battery restrictions, connectivity, and device settings can delay it.
Pull down on the task list to request a sync while 2Do is open. With iCloud and automatic sync enabled, 2Do also checks for changes from your other devices while it is open. Never turns off automatic syncing for your ordinary sync account; pull down when you want to sync.
If background updates are delayed, check Android's battery settings for 2Do and allow background activity. The names and location of these system controls vary by manufacturer. Avoid force-stopping 2Do when you want it to run in the background.