Before reading this tip make sure you read the tip Syncing your Home folder.

This tip explains how to set up a ChronoSync Synchronizer document for your Library folder (~/Library/).

Before you get started:

Back Up
Before you run a bi-directional sync for the first time, make sure you back up your data in case something goes wrong. When you run a bi-directional sync, ChronoSync will archive any changed or deleted files. It is a lot easier to restore files from a back up rather than restoring from this bi-directional archive. You can use ChronoSync, Time Machine, or any other back up application to back up your Mac. Don't be one of those stories that you hear about where someone lost all their data because they did not back up. Syncing is not a substitute for backing up.

Verify your OS is the same on both Macs
You need to have the same version of Mac OS X on both Macs in order to perform a Library folder sync. This means you must sync Tiger to Tiger but not Tiger to Leopard. Furthermore, you need to make sure that any iApps like iTunes, iPhoto, iCal are the same version.


Let's get started:
First off, realize that there is more than one Library folder. There is a Library folder at the root of your drive - which you should NOT synchronize. There is also a Library folder inside each Home folder. That is the one we are talking about here.

The Library folder contains data and preferences for all the applications. Each user or Home folder contains a separate Library folder since each user's data and preferences are unique. Some of files in the Library folder are unique to that particular Mac and should not be synchronized to another Mac. What files you should and should not synchronize is different for every person. Therefore it is impossible to make a list of what should and should not be synchronized. Because of this fact, we recommend you do NOT sync your Library folder between two Macs because there are too many files you should not sync.

There may be some data inside the Library folder that you need to keep in sync on two Macs. The list below gives you a quick overview of what you can synchronize in your Library folder.

Mail:
There are no applications that are designed to synchronize the messages in Mail. Apple's MobileMe will only sync rules, signatures, etc. ChronoSync can sync Mail. If you want to synchronize Mail between two Macs then read the tip Syncing Email Between Two Macs. Here is a brief article explaining Mail synchronization.

iCal, Address Book and Safari Bookmarks:
If you want to synchronize iCal, Address Book, or Safari Bookmarks between two Macs then use another application specifically designed to do this. Below is a list of Applications specifically designed to synchronize iCal, Address Book, Safari Bookmarks, and more.
http://www.markspace.com/synctogether/index.html
http://spanningsync.com/
http://www.apple.com/mobileme
http://www.busymac.com/
http://ww2.unime.it/flr/isyncal/en/index.html
http://fruux.com/
Search http://www.macupdate.com/ for more solutions

Preferences:
Only the advanced user should sync Preferences files other than those mentioned in the tips. If you need assistance, please contact Joe.

Note: Apple's Mobile Me will sync some Preference files between Macs.

Depending on what you are synchronizing between Macs you may need to synchronize some Preferences files. First, you need to set up a separate Synchronizer document synchronizing the two Preferences folders located under the Library folder. Then you need to create some Advanced rules so only specific Preferences files sync. Click here to download a Synchronizer document that helps with this setup. All the rules are already complete so you only need to set the Targets.

Delete any rules for folders that you are not synching. The 'mail' rule is for synching Mail. The "imovie' rule is for synching the Movies folder. The 'itunes' & 'garageband' rules are for synching the Music folder. The 'iphoto' rule is for synching the Pictures folder.



Application Support:
Only the advanced user should sync Application Support folders and files. If you need assistance, please contact Joe.

Other Folders:
There may be some other files or folders in the Library that you need to synchronize. If you need assistance, please contact Joe.

Note that it IS possible to synchronize the entire Library folder. However, it is not recommended. It is not an easy setup and requires you to sync every time you switch Macs. Please contact Joe with questions or for instructions.

The flexibility and ease of using ChronoSync has so many advantages. If you have any problems while using our products, contact us by using our support form. If you wish to share a tip with us, post it on our comment form.