I’d like to sync two Macs, as in iCloud, without going through the internet.

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Level 4

2,187 points

I’d like to sync two Macs, as in iCloud, without going through the internet.

I happily use iCloud but I have a slow Internet connection; I would like to keep my desktop and my laptop (never mind my iPhone and iPad) in sync without going through the Internet. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so please share solutions.

I wish Apple offered up a local iCloud server option, both for the sake of those of us with slow Internet, but also for security reasons, and especially so we can still function when the net goes down, but I doubt that’s in the works.

I thought of using SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner as a first line of sync option, hopefully negating the need for iCloud to transfer files, but not sure how well that would work?

My understanding is Apple server no longer can function as a file server; any other ideas are appreciated.

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Feb 4, 2020 6:34 AM

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Answer 1

Dancin_Brook Author

Level 4

2,187 points

Feb 4, 2020 7:29 PM in response to Dancin_Brook

And:

Being backup software, CCC has an edict to never modify the source, so bi-directional synchronization isn't something we intend to pursue, and it's not a supported configuration within CCC. There are lots of issues with a two-way sync that we would have to tackle, and that really starts to make a basic backup solution more complicated than what most people are looking for.

Best wishes,

Bombich Software, Inc.

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Answer 2

Dancin_Brook Author

Level 4

2,187 points

Feb 4, 2020 12:35 PM in response to Eric Root

And one answer is:

This isn't really what we're designed for, ..., and basically "that way lies madness". You'd end up making a mistake and losing data..."

--

Shirt Pocket (aka SuperDuper)

Still entertaining suggestions...

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,245 points

Feb 4, 2020 11:02 AM in response to Dancin_Brook

It isn't a real time sync, but the clone option should work very well. You can try hooking the 2 computers together with an Ethernet cord or WiFi.

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Answer 4

Feb 5, 2020 1:47 AM in response to Dancin_Brook

I think you should be able to buy a syncing program that would automate syncing to an external drive. After syncing, you could plug it into a second Mac and use an automated sync there too.

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Answer 5

Feb 4, 2020 2:35 PM in response to Dancin_Brook

It would likely be a tedious process initially perhaps, but you could use AirDrop.

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Answer 6

Feb 5, 2020 2:10 AM in response to Dancin_Brook

As has been mentioned, backup and clone programs will only bring Mac B into alignment with Mac A but not the other way round. In order to achieve synchronization both ways you need to do two things:

Set up file sharing between the two Macs over your local network. Apple have a page on this: Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support. Also this article explains the process with some hints you may find helpful, though it was written some time back and there may be differences in the process by now: File Sharing on Macs .
Obtain a specific synchronizing application. FoldersSynchronizer can do this: http://www.softobe.com/fs_sup_exactsync.html

Using your local network is the easiest way, though you could also do it by syncing to a USB stick, or external drive, and then syncing that to the other Mac, and then back to the first one - three steps instead of one.

Something to note about syncing: you would carry this out on a regular basis. However, suppose you modify a file on Mac A, and then make a modification on the same file on Mac B before carrying out a sync: depending on the settings you will either delete the earlier version together with its changes, or land up with two versions and need to choose between them. Also be aware that deleting a file on Mac A and then carrying out a sync will of course delete the same file on Mac B.

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