Sync with iCloud
That is a different account type, iCloud CalDAV, and it has its own page: Sync with iCloud CalDAV. The page you are reading covers 2Do's recommended iCloud sync, which needs no password at all.
iCloud is the recommended way to sync 2Do across your Apple devices. Everything in 2Do syncs across your devices through the iCloud account you are already signed in to, and no separate account or password is needed.
There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to type. 2Do uses the iCloud account already signed in on the device, and your tasks stay private to that account.
Older releases of 2Do (version 3 and earlier on iPhone and iPad, and version 2.x and earlier on the Mac) do not support this sync method and cannot see tasks synced through it. Update those devices, or use a method they support, such as iCloud CalDAV.
Setup
- Open Settings > Sync and stay on the Setup tab.
- Open Account Type and choose iCloud. It is the entry marked Recommended.
- Tap Set Up Sync.
- If both this device and iCloud already hold data, choose how to combine them. See First Sync below.
- Repeat on each of your devices, signed in to the same iCloud account.
After setup, Enable Sync is the master switch. Turning it off keeps the account and its settings in place and stops syncing until you turn it back on.
This method uses the system iCloud account, so the device has to be signed in to one. If sync does not start, open the Settings app and check that you are signed in to iCloud.
First Sync
The first time an account syncs, and only when both sides already hold data, 2Do asks how to proceed. The alert is titled Sync Method and asks "This is the first time you're performing sync. How would you like to proceed?" It offers Merge, Replace Local Data, Replace Server Data, and Cancel.
- Merge reconciles the tasks and lists on this device with the data in iCloud, matching existing items where it can. When an item was created separately on both sides and cannot be matched confidently, both copies are kept.
- Replace Local Data replaces the syncable tasks and lists on this device with what is in iCloud. Items that exist only on this device may be removed.
- Replace Server Data replaces the syncable data in iCloud with the tasks and lists on this device. Items that exist only in iCloud may be removed, and your other devices receive this device's data on their next sync.
Merge is the safe choice when both sides hold real data. Read Merge vs Replace before choosing a Replace direction, as it overwrites one side with the other.
You can run any of these again later from Settings > Sync > Next sync action. It applies once, then returns to Sync Normally.
What Syncs
iCloud sync is a complete sync method. Everything in 2Do syncs across your devices, including Smart Lists, tags, tag groups, list groups, locations and attachments. That includes:
- Every task field: title, notes, dates, duration, alerts, repeat, priority, starred state, actions, and locations.
- Projects, checklists, and sub-tasks, with their structure intact.
- Lists, list groups, tags, tag groups, and Smart Lists.
- Attachments of every kind, including pictures, audio notes, files, and links.
One provider option appears under the account: Sync list ordering, which keeps the order of your lists the same across devices.
What Stays on This Device
App preferences are not part of iCloud sync, so each device keeps its own Settings. A few choices are deliberately device-local as well:
- List alert exclusions, set under Settings > Alerts & Badge > Exclusions > List Alerts. Silencing a list on one device does not silence it on the others.
- A task's own Ring as Alarm choice, set in the task editor's Alerts panel.
- View state such as which projects and list groups are expanded.
Automatic, Push, and Background Sync
Once set up, 2Do syncs on its own:
- Sync automatically is on by default: "Turn this off to sync manually by pulling down on the task list."
- Push Sync lets iCloud tell 2Do that something changed on another device. It is unavailable, with the note Not supported by device settings, when the device cannot receive pushes.
- 2Do also syncs when you bring it to the front and when iOS grants it background time. iOS decides when that happens, so background sync is regular rather than instant. See Background Sync on iOS.
Pull down on the task list any time to sync immediately.
Recovering When iCloud Loses 2Do's Data
If 2Do's data is removed from iCloud, syncing stops and the Sync pane explains what happened and offers two ways forward. Which explanation you see depends on what happened:
- You removed 2Do's data from iCloud.
- iCloud encryption was reset, in which case the copy kept in iCloud cannot be recovered.
- 2Do's data in iCloud is no longer there for another reason.
The two choices are:
- Upload this device's data to iCloud again. Nothing on this device is removed. 2Do recreates your data in iCloud from this device. Other devices affected by the same reset may ask you to choose how to recover there too.
- Remove synced data from this device too. Anything that was synced to iCloud is removed from this device as well. Changes you made here and have not synced yet are kept.
Each choice asks you to confirm before it runs. After an encryption reset, uploading this device's data again is usually the right answer.
If several devices are waiting on this choice, start with the one holding the most complete copy and upload from there. The others can then pull that copy down.
Troubleshooting
Sync does not start
Check that the device is signed in to iCloud in iOS Settings, that Enable Sync is on in Settings > Sync, and that the device has a working connection. The Setup footer shows Last Sync and, when a run fails, a red Last Error naming the problem.
One device shows different tasks
Sync on the device with the correct data and let it finish, then choose Replace Local Data from Next sync action on the device that is behind. See One of my devices isn't syncing correctly.
Tasks arrive slowly when 2Do is in the background
iOS grants background time on its own schedule. Keep Background App Refresh on for 2Do, leave Push Sync on, and avoid force-quitting the app. See 2Do isn't syncing in the background.
Adding another device
Install 2Do, sign the device in to the same iCloud account, choose iCloud in Settings > Sync, and let the first sync pull your data down. See Setting up a new device.
Tips
Sync is not a backup. Keep milestone copies from Settings > Backups & Export somewhere safe, independent of whichever sync method you use.
Keeping a list off iCloud entirely takes one switch: Settings > Sync > Exclusions. That list and its tasks then stay on this device.