# Sync

> Your library syncs between your devices through your private iCloud, and it starts on its own.

- Page: https://resurf.so/guides/sync
- Section: Your data
- Works on: Mac, iPhone, iPad
- Last checked against the app: 2026-10-17
- Where: Settings → Sync

## Turn sync on or off

Sync is on from the start. Your devices need to be signed in to the same Apple Account. Each device has its own mode, so turning sync off on one leaves the others alone.

On Mac:

1. Open Settings (`⌘,`) and choose **Sync**.
2. In **Mode**, pick **iCloud** to sync, or **This Mac** to keep this Mac's library local.

On iPhone and iPad:

1. In Resurf's Settings, tap **Sync**.
2. Tap **Sync** and pick **iCloud** to sync, or **This iPhone** (**This iPad** on iPad) to keep the library local.

![Settings, Sync pane: Mode with This Mac and iCloud, and the Connect library prompt.](https://resurf.so/guides/shots/settings-sync@2x.webp)

Turning sync off stops it on this device only. Your iCloud copy and your other devices stay as they are.

## What syncs

- **Syncs:** captures with their notes, files, tags, spaces and comments; your spaces, areas and authors; and deletions.
- **Stays on each device:** stacks and saved views, the search index and thumbnails, and your backup settings and sync mode.
- **Shared on their own:** your AI and voice note settings go through iCloud even when sync is off. Theme isn't shared.

## Offline and editing on two devices

Resurf works offline. Everything saves on the device first and syncs when you're back online.

When the same capture changes on two devices:

- Tags, spaces and comments added on either one are all kept.
- For the title and other single fields, the newer edit wins.
- For a note's text, the newer version wins and the other is kept as a copy.

Resurf keeps up to five copies per capture, named `note.conflict-<date>.md`, in the capture's folder on the device whose version lost. They don't show in the app; on Mac, find them [in Finder](https://resurf.so/guides/vault).

## Switching Apple Accounts

If the library sees a different iCloud account than before, sync waits and asks **Connect this library?** Connecting uploads this library to the account now signed in to iCloud. Anything already in that account downloads first.

On Mac:

1. Open Settings (`⌘,`) and choose **Sync**.
2. Click **Connect library**, or **Keep local** to keep this Mac's library off iCloud.

On iPhone and iPad:

1. In Resurf's Settings, tap **Sync**.
2. Tap **Connect** beside **Connect library to iCloud**, or tap **Keep this library local**.

## Questions

### I got a new Mac. How do I get my library onto it?

Sign in to the same Apple Account, install Resurf and open it. Your library downloads from iCloud. Keep Resurf open until the first download finishes.

### Does turning sync off on my iPhone turn it off on my Mac?

No. Each device keeps its own mode.

### Why don't I see a Resurf folder in iCloud Drive?

Resurf syncs through its own private iCloud database, not iCloud Drive.

## More guides

- Previous: [Where your library lives](https://resurf.so/guides/vault.md)
- Next: [Sync status](https://resurf.so/guides/sync-status.md)
- [Where your library lives](https://resurf.so/guides/vault.md): Your library is a folder of ordinary files on your device, named Resurf Library.
- [Sync status](https://resurf.so/guides/sync-status.md): One line in Settings says whether sync is working, with a checklist and a report you can send to support.
- [Backup and export](https://resurf.so/guides/backup-and-export.md): Save the whole library as a zip, now or on a schedule, or export it as a spreadsheet with its files.
- [Import](https://resurf.so/guides/import.md): Bring captures in from a CSV file or from the old Resurf 1.0 app.
- [Erase and start over](https://resurf.so/guides/erase.md): Erase this device's copy of your library, or delete the copy in iCloud. Your license stays active either way.
- [Every guide](https://resurf.so/llms.txt)