How to Run Basic Sync with AOMEI Backupper on Mac
About Basic Sync
The basic sync feature allows you to synchronize folders to other locations, such as another local drive, NAS/network share, or USB storage. It is similar to the "Copy" feature, and you can view the synchronized files at any time on the destination.
Here are some usage scenarios of basic synchronization in file operations:
1. File backup: Copy files from one location to another is a common backup strategy to protect data from accidental deletion, damage, or loss. For example: copy important work files from a local computer to an external hard drive to prevent data loss due to computer hard drive failure.
2. File migration: Move files from one location to another to save or use. For example: migrate files from a local computer to a network shared drive.
3. File sharing: When you need to share files with others, copy files from a personal computer or a specific location to a shared folder or network drive. For example: copy project documents to a team shared folder so that team members can access, view, or modify files without affecting the original files.
By using basic sync, you can ensure the security, accessibility, and adaptability of data, thereby improving work efficiency and the reliability of data management.
How to Run Basic Sync with AOMEI Backupper on Mac
Prerequisites for Basic Sync
- Please download and install AOMEI Backupper on your Mac.
- Make sure the source and destination locations accessible.
How to Run Basic Sync with AOMEI Backupper on Mac Step by Step
1. Run AOMEI Backupper and click "New Task" to create a new basic sync task.
2. Select Basic Sync.
3. You can name this task in the Basic Sync Task field to help you distinguish it from other sync tasks. Click "Select Sync Source" to select the folder you want to synchronize.
Tips: You can select Local Path, Network path, or NAS as the source.
4. Click "Select Sync Destination" to select a destination location to store the folder.
Tips: You can still select Local Path, Network path, or NAS as the destination.
5. Click the "Sync" button to start the sync process.
6. You can view the sync process. As a result, you can view the data straight on the destination location.
Notes:
- The sync will automatically sync the source folder to the destination location. If you only want to sync files in the selected source folder, please tick the "Sync only the files in the selected folder to the target path" option under Options->General.
- After the sync task is created, the task will be displayed in the main interface so you can view the sync task detail, manually restart, and manage the task.
Sync Settings
When you run a basic sync, you can check the "Options".
Click the button and you will show "General" and "Filter" options.
General
Verify the integrity of files in the destination: If a file in the source directory does not exist in the destination directory, the missing files will be synced to the destination directory to ensure the integrity of files. (e.g. files in the destination directory are deleted manually.) Tick this option will also increase the sync time.
Sync only the files in the selected folder to the target path: The selected folder will not be synchronized to the target. Only the files in the selected folder will be synchronized to the target path.
Filter
The feature "Filter" can be set after you add source folders. (Only available for paid versions)
1) The File Inclusion can specify the files that you need to sync. Wildcards are supported and separate multiple masks with semi-colon(*.doc;*.xls;*.ppt ).
You can configure including sync according to file extensions, such as .doc, .xls, .ppt and so on. So, only files with the same extensions will be synced to the target path.
For example, you would like to only sync .doc files in the selected source folders. You can just configure "*.doc" in the mask. (If you would like to include more extensions, please separate the formats with semi-colons).
2) The File Exclusion specifies the files that you need to exclude. Wildcards are supported and separate multiple masks with semi-colon(*.temp;*.tmp;*.bak;*~*).
You can configure to exclude according to file extensions, such as .temp, .tmp, .bak and so on. As a result, all files with the same extensions will not be synced to the destination location.
For example, you would like to only exclude .temp files in the selected source folders. You can just configure "*.temp" in the mask. (If you would like to include more extensions, please separate the formats with semi-colons).
3) The Folder Exclusion specifies the folders that you need to exclude. Wildcards are supported and separate multiple masks with a semi-colon.
You can configure to exclude folders with the same name. Therefore, all folders with the same name will not be synced to the destination location.
For example, you would like to only exclude folder "A" in the selected source folders. You can just configure "A" in the mask. (If you would like to include more folder names, please separate the names with semi-colons).
You can also tick the bottom two boxes as you need.
Please check the 3 filter example settings below:
Schedule Sync
Select the "None" option upon which a dialog box will appear. Schedule the required sync task to sync files Once, Hourly, Daily, Weekly, and Monthly. Please click here to know more details.
And, you can also set to Shut down/Hibernation on completion.
Notes:
- The Basic Sync feature will copy the whole source folders by default (including subfolders and files) to the destination directory unless you configure to include or exclude some files and folders in the "Filter Settings".
- Please don't modify the folder name of the source folder(s) once basic sync has been set up, otherwise, the sync process can not function properly.
- For a new basic sync process, if the source file name is the same as one of the destinations that have been synced before, the destination copy will be overwritten. There is no way to keep a different version of a file using the same names.
- When performing the Basic Sync operation, AOMEI Backupper can only sync the contents of folders that have not been renamed or moved. If you wish to change the name or location of the source folders(s) then you must modify the sync task to reflect this.
- The Basic Sync is a one-way sync. After modifying the source files, it will be synced to the target directory. But if you delete some source files, they will not be synced to the target directory. And if you delete a file in the target directory, it will not be deleted in the source directory, too.
- If there are some special system files or folders with special security attributes in the source folders, they won't be synchronized and the program will prompt you to skip them.
- The main function of Basic Sync is to help you to synchronize working files and user data files, however, if there are some special system files or files with special security attributes in the source folders (e.g. C:\boot\bcd, C:\Windows\CSC), they are not synchronized.
- If the target path is located on a FAT/FAT 32 partition, any files larger than 4 GB won't be synced to the target path because a single file larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on FAT/FAT 32 partitions.
- After synchronizing folders, any changes made directly by the user to the files or folders stored under the destination location will cause inconsistencies between source and destination data.
Conclusion
It is important to note that file syncing can consume storage space and may take time, especially when dealing with large files or a significant number of files. Additionally, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the sync operation is crucial to avoid data loss or corruption.
FAQs:
Q: Why was the source folder created in the destination location?
A: This is the design mechanism for AOMEI Backupper. In order to distinguish the original file in the target location from the file from the source location, a folder with the same name as the original path will be automatically created to contain the synchronized files to prevent confusion with the original file in the target path.
Q: Why are changed/new files not synced to the destination?
A: Please check that you have performed the sync task after the file has been changed.