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Sync — Overview

2Do for Mac keeps your tasks in step across devices through a sync service of your choice. We don't run a sync cloud of our own — instead, you pick a service you already trust and 2Do reads and writes through it. The available sync methods are:

  • Dropbox — the recommended option. Supports every feature 2Do offers, including attachments, List Groups, Tag Groups, Smart Lists, and Search Presets.
  • iCloud CalDAV — Apple-hosted CalDAV sync. Works well for standard tasks, but does not sync every 2Do detail that Dropbox does.
  • Custom CalDAV — Fruux, Yahoo!, ownCloud / Nextcloud, Synology, Kerio, Oracle, SabreDAV, and other CalDAV-compatible servers.
  • Toodledo — for Toodledo users. Includes web access through toodledo.com, but does not support every 2Do feature. If 2Do lives on a single Mac, you can simply leave Sync unconfigured.

Choose One Method, Use It Everywhere​

warning

Every device that runs 2Do must use the same sync method. Mixing methods (e.g. Dropbox on Mac, iCloud CalDAV on iPhone) leads to disconnected datasets. Pick one, set it up the same on every device, and only then start using 2Do day-to-day.

At-a-Glance Comparison​

DropboxiCloud CalDAVCustom CalDAVToodledo
Recommended✅
All task properties✅partialpartialpartial
Attachments✅one picture + one audioone picture + one audio
List Groups✅
Tag Groups✅
Smart Lists✅
Search Presets✅
Automatic background sync✅✅✅manual on iOS; auto on Mac
Web accessiCloud.comvariestoodledo.com
Cross-platform (iOS / Mac / Android)✅✅✅✅
note

Dropbox is the best choice if you use every 2Do feature or lots of attachments. CalDAV sync is great for standard tasks, but it does not sync every 2Do detail that Dropbox does. Toodledo does not sync attachments.

Setting Up a New Device​

When you install 2Do on a brand-new Mac and sign in to a sync service that already has your data:

  1. Open 2Do > Settings > Sync and pick the same sync method you've been using on your other devices.

  2. Sign in with the same account.

  3. When 2Do asks how to proceed on first sync, choose Replace Local Data — this pulls everything from the cloud down to the new Mac, leaving the cloud copy untouched. When you've just restored from a backup and your Mac now has the freshest data:

  4. Set up sync the same way.

  5. On first sync, choose Replace Server Data — this pushes your restored data up, replacing whatever's in the cloud. If you're unsure which side has the freshest data, save a backup first from Settings > Backups > Manage Backups > Save as... before connecting sync, so you have a recovery point either way.

Replace Server Data vs Replace Local Data​

When you connect a new device or reset sync, 2Do may ask whether to:

  • Replace Server Data — push your local 2Do tasks up to the sync service. Use this when 2Do has the right data and the server is empty or out of date.
  • Replace Local Data — pull tasks from the server down to this Mac. Use this when the server has the right data and your local 2Do data is empty or out of date.
Choosing this manually at any time

Beyond the first-sync prompt, you can switch the next sync's behaviour any time under 2Do > Settings > Sync > Next Sync Action. Dropbox and CalDAV offer Sync Normally, Replace Server Data, and Replace Local Data. Toodledo offers Sync Normally, Replace Local Data, and Merge Sync. After the sync completes, the option resets to Sync Normally automatically.

warning

Pick the wrong direction and you can lose data. Always pause and choose the side that has the tasks you want to keep. If your Mac is empty and you choose Replace Server Data, the empty Mac can overwrite the cloud copy.

Switching Sync Methods​

To change methods (for example, iCloud CalDAV → Dropbox):

  1. Save a backup from Settings > Backups > Manage Backups > Save as... as a safety net.
  2. Disconnect the current method on each device.
  3. Connect the new method on one device first and let it populate.
  4. Connect the others, choosing Replace Local Data to pull from the freshly populated server.
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