Skip to main content

Sync with Dropbox

Dropbox is the recommended sync method for 2Do. It carries every task property, including attachments, List Groups, Tag Groups, Smart Lists, and Search Presets, and is supported on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.

What Dropbox Sync Supports​

  • All task fields — title, notes, dates, recurrence, priority, action, location, sub-tasks.
  • Multiple alarms per task — every alarm survives the round-trip intact.
  • Attachments — your task's picture and audio note sync across devices.
  • List Groups, Tag Groups, Smart Lists, Search Presets — saved across devices.
  • All your tags — including tags that aren't currently assigned to any task. Other sync methods only carry tags-in-use.
  • List settings — list colors, groups, hidden-list choices, and Focus List visibility rules stay part of your 2Do data where the selected sync method supports them.
  • Automatic background sync — 2Do for Mac syncs continuously while running.

Setup​

  1. Open 2Do > Settings > Sync.
  2. Select Dropbox as the sync method.
  3. Click Link Account and authorise 2Do against your Dropbox account in the browser window that opens.
  4. Confirm. 2Do creates its app folder and is ready to sync.
  5. Repeat on each device, signing in to the same Dropbox account.

Once linked, four Dropbox options let you trim what travels: Sync list ordering, Sync audio notes, Sync pictures, and Sync app preferences. To disconnect later, click Unlink.

To run the first sync, close Settings and press ⌘S (or click the Sync toolbar button). The first device seeds the folder; when the next device connects, 2Do asks how to combine the two sides (see Merge vs. Replace below).

Use the exact same Dropbox account on every device

2Do can only sync devices that talk to the same Dropbox account. Connecting one device to me@example.com and another to me@gmail.com leaves the two completely isolated from each other. If a device isn't seeing the same tasks as the rest, first check that 2Do > Settings > Sync shows the same Dropbox username everywhere; if not, disconnect the wrong account and re-link with the correct one.

Merge vs. Replace​

On the first sync, 2Do offers three ways to bring the two sides together:

  • Merge — 2Do matches existing tasks and lists where it can, so the same item on both devices stays a single item. If something was created independently on both sides and can't be matched confidently, both copies are kept. Use Merge when each device already holds tasks you want to keep.
  • Replace Local Data — the server's data wins; items that exist only on this device may be removed.
  • Replace Server Data — this device's data wins; items that exist only on the server may be removed, and your other devices receive this device's data on their next sync.

You can re-run any of these later from Settings > Sync > Next sync action; the choice applies once, then returns to Sync Normally. See Merge vs Replace for the full guidance.

Daily Sync​

Once set up, 2Do for Mac syncs continuously in the background while running. You can also press ⌘S to force an immediate sync.

Privacy​

2Do syncs through Dropbox's app-sandboxed App Folder: inside Apps/, it can read and write only its own dedicated 2Do folder, and every other file and folder in your Dropbox is invisible to it. All traffic is encrypted in transit (SSL).

The synced files are an internal database your devices use to exchange state, not a task viewer. You can't browse your tasks in Dropbox, and 2Do doesn't add its own encryption on top of Dropbox's storage encryption (see Does 2Do encrypt synced data?).

Don't hand-edit, rename, move, or delete the 2Do folder

The files inside Apps/2Do coordinate state across your devices. Editing, renaming, moving, copying, or deleting them by hand can break sync irrevocably and corrupt data beyond recovery. If you need to change your Dropbox setup, do it from inside 2Do > Settings > Sync, never by touching the folder directly.

Troubleshooting​

Adding another device​

Install 2Do, sign in to the exact same Dropbox account, and let the first sync pull your data down. See Setting up a new device for the full walk-through.

Dropbox v1_retired error​

Dropbox has retired some API versions over time. If you see a v1_retired error, update 2Do to the latest version. Builds using deprecated Dropbox APIs can no longer connect.

504 timeout error​

A 504 typically means Dropbox couldn't be reached in time. Check your network and retry. Persistent 504s usually indicate a temporary Dropbox outage; check Dropbox's status page.

509 bandwidth error​

A 509 means the Dropbox App Folder bandwidth limit for free Dropbox accounts has been exceeded. Rare with normal task data; can happen if you're heavy on attachments. Wait until the quota resets, or upgrade your Dropbox plan.

Different task counts on different devices​

If one device shows a different count than the rest, it likely missed a sync cycle. Force a sync (⌘S) on the lagging device and let it complete. If it still differs, run a clean sync on the most up-to-date device, then choose Replace Local Data on the lagging one. See One of my devices isn't syncing correctly.

Disabling Dropbox desktop notifications for 2Do​

If you also run the Dropbox desktop app, Dropbox may notify you every time 2Do updates the file. Disable file-change notifications in Dropbox preferences, or exclude the 2Do app folder from notifications.

Tips​

tip

For an extra safety net, use Settings > Backups (a backup's ⋯ menu > Save a Copy…) to keep milestone backups in another safe location. Backups are independent of sync, so even if Dropbox has a bad day, you've got a recovery path.

Last updated on