Synchronisation
Synchronisation is keeping the same data current and consistent across more than one device. A contact you add on your phone appearing on your computer as well is the result of it.
| In brief | The process of keeping the same data current and consistent across more than one device. |
|---|---|
| Technical definition | The two-way transfer of changes between devices and a master copy, usually in the cloud, so that all copies are brought to the same state. |
| Everyday example | A number you add to your phone's contacts appearing by itself in your tablet's contacts is synchronisation. |
| Why it matters | It removes the trouble of carrying files between devices by hand and makes changing device easier; but because it spreads deletions too, it does not take the place of backup. |
| Common misconceptions |
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The same information being the same everywhere
Synchronisation is the process of reflecting a change made on one device across the other devices. There is usually an intermediary in the middle: the data goes first to the master copy in the cloud and spreads from there to the other devices. A note you delete on your phone disappearing from the tablet too shows that syncing works in both directions: not only additions but deletions and edits travel as well.
Synchronisation is not backup
These two are among the most frequently confused ideas. Syncing makes all the copies the same; backup keeps a separate copy of how things stood at a particular moment. The difference shows itself in a critical situation: if you delete a file by mistake, syncing carries that deletion faithfully to all your devices, and what saves you is the backup copy standing outside the sync. The bin and version history features of many cloud services soften this risk but do not take the place of a separate backup.
Everyday use and small cautions
Contacts, calendars, notes, photographs and browser bookmarks sync by themselves on most phones. That is a great convenience; everything flows to the new device when you change phones. The points to watch are these: know from your account settings which data is being synced, do not leave a personal account signed in on a shared device, and check the settings that limit mobile data use if you have a large photograph archive.
Related terms: Cloud Storage, Backup, Smartphone