# Sync your devices

> Every device signed in to the same Apple Account shares one library, through iCloud.

- Page: https://resurf.so/guides/device-sync
- Section: Get started
- Works on: Mac, iPhone, iPad
- Last checked against the app: 2026-10-17
- Default: On, through iCloud
- Where: Settings → Sync

## How it works

Sync starts on its own. Every device signed in to the same Apple Account keeps the same library, through iCloud.

Each device picks its own mode: **iCloud**, the default, or local to that device. Changing it on one device doesn't change the others.

## Keep a device local

On Mac:

1. Press `⌘,` and choose **Sync** under **Data**.
2. Set **Mode** to **This Mac**. Choose **iCloud** to sync again.

On iPhone and iPad:

1. Tap the menu circle in the tab bar, then **Settings**, then **Sync**.
2. Set **Sync** to **This iPhone** or **This iPad**. Choose **iCloud** to sync again.

## Check that it's working

**Status** in Settings → Sync shows one line, such as **Syncing…**, **Offline**, or **Synced** with how long ago. For details, open the status dialog: on Mac, click the info button beside **Status**; on iPhone and iPad, tap **Status**.

The dialog checks this device and lists what **Your other device** needs. If something needs you, such as full iCloud storage, it says what to do. **Send sync report** and **Copy report** make a report for support with no captures in it.

## If you change iCloud accounts

After you sign in to a different Apple Account, Resurf asks before it syncs this library with the new account, and **Status** reads “Connect this library to iCloud”.

- On Mac, open **Settings → Sync** and click **Connect library**, or **Keep local**.
- On iPhone and iPad, open **Settings → Sync** and tap **Connect** on **Connect library to iCloud**, or **Keep this library local**.

Connecting downloads what's already in that iCloud account first, then uploads this library.

## Questions

### My iPhone and Mac don't match.

Open the status dialog on both and compare Account code. Different codes mean two Apple Accounts. Then check the list under Your other device.

### If I turn sync off on my Mac, does it turn off on my iPhone?

No. Each device keeps its own mode.

### How long does sync take?

Usually under a minute. Longer if the other device is asleep.

## More guides

- Previous: [Find your way on iPhone](https://resurf.so/guides/iphone-navigation.md)
- Next: [Free and Pro](https://resurf.so/guides/free-and-pro.md)
- [Install and first run](https://resurf.so/guides/start-guide.md): Install Resurf on your Mac, iPhone or iPad and go through the short first-run setup.
- [Find your way on Mac](https://resurf.so/guides/mac-navigation.md): The Mac window has a sidebar of places on the left, your library in the middle and an info pane on the right.
- [Find your way on iPhone](https://resurf.so/guides/iphone-navigation.md): On iPhone and iPad, your library fills the screen, with search at the top and a tab bar at the bottom.
- [Free and Pro](https://resurf.so/guides/free-and-pro.md): The Mac app is free for up to 50 captures and 4 spaces, and a Resurf Pro license removes both limits.
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://resurf.so/guides/keyboard-shortcuts.md): The keys worth knowing in Resurf, grouped by where you use them.
- [The menu bar](https://resurf.so/guides/menu-bar.md): Resurf keeps an icon in the Mac menu bar, so you can capture and search with the window closed.
- [Updates and what's new](https://resurf.so/guides/updates.md): The Mac app updates itself and shows you what changed in each release.
- [Every guide](https://resurf.so/llms.txt)