How to automatically sync files between folders on different computers and mobile devices without storing them in the cloud on someone else’s server for better privacy and greater control.
Transferring files between computers is something we all have to do from time to time and there are several situations where this can be necessary. For example, you might want to transfer files from one computer to another, such as work to home, desktop to laptop, to a friend’s computer, a work colleague, and so on.
Collaboration is great. If both you and a work colleague or friend have identical copies of files, you can work on them together. Editing videos, photos and music, or working on documents and presentations with others is a lot simpler if you can each have an identical copy of the files in the project.
There are many ways to sync files between computers and the obvious ones are OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box and other online drives.
Resilio Sync is probably not the first application that comes to mind when you want to sync files and folders between computers, but it is well worth considering. There are pros and cons of using Resilio Sync, so let’s take a look at why you might want to use it and what the limitations are.
By the way, Resilio Sync used to be called BitTorrent Sync and the file sync app is built on BitTorrent technology. There are several versions, including Free, Home, Pro and Business. I used the free version here - just download the Home version and promise not to use it for business.
Resilio Sync advantages
Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and other sync services provide online storage space. Your files are stored online by the companies, which may be convenient in some ways, but some people worry about privacy and security. Just how private and secure are they? Could the service be hacked? Could your username and password be leaked on the internet? Could someone get into your account and get access to your files?
This is a constant worry for anyone using the regular online storage services. Somewhere out on the internet is a copy of all your files and someone could get to them, especially if you have used the same password for several services.
Resilio Sync does not store a copy of your files online and the company does not have access to them. The software creates a secure connection between two computers, your own or you and a work colleague’s or friend’s, and sends the files directly from one to the other. The data is encrypted, no files are stored on the internet and they only exist on the two computers that are linked. Resilio Sync is therefore more secure.
Another advantage is that there is no limitation on space. All online drives have a space limit and often a few gigabytes are provided for free, but beyond that, you must pay. Even then, there are limits. Resilio Sync has no online storage and simply transfers files back and forth between synced computers and devices. It does not matter how big they are.
Create a sync folder
To sync two computers, the plus button in the top left corner of the window is used to select a Standard, Advanced or Encrypted folder. You can create a new empty folder for shared files or you can select an existing folder to share, even if it contains files.
Resilio Sync generates a web link, a key and a QR code. This must be sent to the person you want to sync with and there are options to email it or copy it to the clipboard, which could then be pasted into a messaging app. If you are syncing your own computers, just save it somewhere you can access on the other computer.
When the other person receives the link or key, such as via email, they click the plus button in Resilio Sync and paste it in. You create or choose a folder on the disk and once selected, files in the local and remote folders are kept in sync.
There are some useful security features and you can make the shared folder read-only (one-way syncing) or read-write (two-way syncing so the other computer can send files too). There is an option to set an expiry date on the shared link, so you could make it expire in one day, three days or whatever you want.
You can specify that the link can only be used a certain number of times, including just once, so if a dodgy friend posted the link on the web or accidentally shared it, it wouldn’t work for anyone else.
You can also specify that the person you share the link with must be approved. So if someone else got hold of the link and tried to connect with your shared folder, you would simply deny them access.
The security features are good and it is a safe way to share files with other people and computers. The Pro version offers many more security and control features to limit who can access shared folders and files, but for simple syncing, the Free version is OK.
The speed with which you can send files from one computer to another is limited only by your internet or network connection. There are options in the settings to apply limits if you need them though.
Resilio Sync is available for Windows PC, Apple Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, which covers about 99% of computers and devices. No matter what computer or device you have, you can share or sync files and folders.
Share single files
In addition to syncing folders, a single file can be shared in the same way. Select the Shared Files tab and a file can be dropped on it to create a link or key you can send to someone, such as via email.
Resilio Sync disadvantages
The main disadvantage of Resilio Sync is that both computers have to be up and running and online in order to sync folders and exchange files. If one is powered off, they won’t sync.
With Dropbox for example, you can simply drop files into a shared folder and switch off the computer. It does not need to be on for the other person to receive the files. That is because they are stored online on Dropbox’s servers.
With Resilio Sync, you could be looking at outdated files. For example, if your friend or work colleague updates files when your computer is powered off, then they power off their own computer too, you will not receive the updated files when you power on. Syncing resumes only when both computers are powered on.
Is Resilio Sync right for you?
Some people will prefer traditional online storage for syncing and sharing files, like Dropbox, but it can be useful to have BitTorrent Sync as an option too, such as when you need to share really big files with people.
An advantage of Resilio Sync free Home edition is that you can sync unlimited files between computers. That isn’t possible with Dropbox, OneDrive and other online storage.
If you need more features or need it for business use, there are paid versions. I’m fine with the free version.
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