Synchronization between computers in the network
In addition to saving the configuration and importing it, SaveDesktop also allows you to synchronize it between computers on your network using a shared cloud folder or a shared Syncthing folder.
Setting Up on the First Computer
- Open the Sync page in the SaveDesktop app.
- Click “Set up the sync file.”
- A quick setup wizard will appear:
- If you’re using GNOME, Cinnamon, Budgie, or older COSMIC, the GNOME Online Accounts method is used.
- For KDE Plasma or other desktops, it switches to Rclone (you’ll just need to copy a command and paste it into the terminal).
- Alternatively, you can use Syncthing by clicking “Use Syncthing’s folder instead” and selecting a synced folder.
- After finishing the wizard, the “Set up the sync file” dialog will open:
- A periodic saving file (your desktop config archive) will start generating inside the selected folder.
- You can optionally change the interval or filename using the “Change” button.
- Click “Apply”:
- A second file,
SaveDesktop.json, is created in the same folder. It contains the sync file name and saving interval.
- You will be prompted to log out of your session so synchronization can fully activate.
Connecting on Another Computer
- On the other computer, go to the Sync page again.
- Click “Connect to the cloud storage.”
- The same wizard will appear – choose your synced folder via GNOME OA, Rclone, or Syncthing.
- After the wizard:
- The “Connect to the cloud storage” dialog opens.
- Select the sync interval and enable or disable Bidirectional synchronization.
- Click “Apply”:
- You will be prompted to log out, or (if using manual sync) informed that you can sync from the app’s header menu.
- After logging back in, SaveDesktop connects to the shared folder and syncs your configuration automatically, with a notification at the start and end.
Bidirectional Synchronization
If Bidirectional synchronization is enabled on both computers:
- SaveDesktop copies sync settings (such as interval and filename) from one machine to the other,
- This keeps your systems in sync without needing to configure each one manually.
Files Used in Synchronization
- Periodic saving file – a
.sd.zip archive of your desktop configuration, updated regularly.
- SaveDesktop.json – a small helper file that stores the archive’s filename and saving interval, used during sync setup.