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# About syncing

Syncing is the process of updating similar information (for example, telephone numbers) in multiple places so that each place has the same information. You might want to sync multiple applications on your computer, sync information on your computer and other devices (such as a mobile phone), or sync information across multiple computers. When you sync your information, all changes (including deletions) are transferred, so you always have the latest information available, no matter where you are or which device or application you’re using.

The information or device that is synced depends on the settings you’ve chosen and the sync application you’re using. For example, using iSync, you can sync the contact and calendar information on your computer with the contact and calendar information on your phone.

Information (such as contacts or calendars) is stored as a “record.” For a sync to work, the name of record on your computer and devices must match exactly. For example, if you have a contact called David on your computer, but on your phone the same contact is called “david,” changes you make to David on your computer won’t be synced to “david” on your phone. Instead, you’ll see two records, one for David and another for “david.” For best results, make sure you’ve given the same label on each device to each contact and calendar whose information you want to sync.

If you change the same piece of information (for example, a phone number) in more than one place, all your devices are updated with one version of the information, and the other versions are stored in the Conflict Resolver. At any time you can open the Conflict Resolver and choose which information to use on your computer and devices. To open the Conflict Resolver, choose the Conflicts menu item from the sync status menu on the right side of the menu bar. If you don’t see the sync status menu, choose iSync > Preferences and select the “Show status in menu bar” checkbox.

Important:Length limitations in certain fields in the records on a device affect how these records are matched during a sync. For instance, if your phone limits the number of characters that can be used to represent someone’s name, the name may be shortened to what fits in the field. The shortened name would be used when trying to match information during a sync.

Before you can sync your computer and devices, you need to set up your devices to work with iSync.

For information about the devices that work with iSync, visit www.apple.com/isync/devices.html.

For more information about Mac OS X syncing, choose Help > Mac Help in the Finder.