# Direct sync between Devonthink Pro and Devonthink To Go on iphone

**URL:** <https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430>\
**Category:** DEVONthink To Go\
**Created:** [March 23, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430 "2020-03-23T11:41:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/b77776/32.png) [@Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Erik911)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/1 "2020-03-23T11:41:34Z")

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Hi, I have 2 different Apple ID’s on both my iMac and iPhone so I can’t sync trough iCloud.  
I want to use a direct sync from iMac to my iPhone - connect my iPhone to the iMac with a cable. How do I set this up ?

Thanks  
Erik

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 12:52pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/2 "2020-03-23T12:52:10Z")

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From the help:

> [@](#):
>
> Bonjour Setup:
> 
> Step 1: On the machine acting as the server, open [Preferences \> Sync] and press the _Bonjour Options_ button.
> 
> Step 2: Click _Enable Incoming Connections_ to use this Mac as a Bonjour server of its databases. Optionally, have closed databases open when a client initiates a sync.
> 
> Step 3: Enter a mandatory password. This password is required for other devices to act as a client of DEVONthink’s. If you are working with an IT department who has assigned a port for you, or you have a port you’d specifically like to use, enter it in the _Port_ field. Otherwise, leave this blank and DEVONthink will assign one for you.
> 
> The Mac with Bonjour enabled should now be visible as a sync location to other devices on your local network. On the other devices, enable it, enter the password, and you can import databases or sync existing databases directly with it.

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**Author:** ![Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/b77776/32.png) [@Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Erik911)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/3 "2020-03-23T13:11:18Z")

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![Schermafbeelding 2020-03-23 om 14.13.42](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/7/74a9a8017158da1a0168875f43f27961c8884ea2.jpeg)

Should I thick the box: LOCAL - Inbox ?

What is the best way on the iPhone, use the Global Inbox for sync ?

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/4 "2020-03-23T13:14:22Z")

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> [@Erik911](#):
>
> What is the best way on the iPhone, use the Global Inbox for sync ?

In the list of sync locations select the Mac and afterwards enable the global inbox in the list of database. This will merge the local inbox of DEVONthink To Go with the one on the Mac.

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/5 "2020-03-23T13:36:12Z")

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Why are you connecting to the iOS device when you have Bonjour enabled on the Mac?  
You shouldn’t enable Bonjour in DEVONthink To Go unless it’s actually acting as a server. You should only be connecting to the Mac from DEVONthink To Go’s **Settings \> Sync: Locations.**

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**Author:** ![Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/b77776/32.png) [@Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Erik911)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 7:59am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/6 "2020-03-24T07:59:17Z")

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OK. So I do it like this :

 ![Schermafbeelding 2020-03-24 om 08.55.38](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/f/f8d69e3f48460234949ddb53c7f3b475818efdbd.jpeg)

On the iPhone I turned Bonjour OFF

But on my iPhone it does not show up :

 ![Schermafbeelding 2020-03-24 om 08.58.43](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/5/508d10bfaa0884c05536e32ea49c9626046a083f.png)

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 8:32am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/7 "2020-03-24T08:32:28Z")

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Are both the Mac and the iPhone connected to the same network/router? In addition, please check that the firewall of macOS doesn’t block DEVONthink.

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**Author:** ![Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/b77776/32.png) [@Erik911](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Erik911)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/8 "2020-03-24T08:34:41Z")

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Yes I connected trough lightning cable direct iPhone on iMac  
And yes Devonthink 3 is allowed to incoming connections…

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 10:03am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/9 "2020-03-24T10:03:59Z")

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You need to check the **Firewall** in **System Preferences \> Security & Privacy** and add an exception for DEVONthink, if you have the firewall enabled.  
If you are running a network monitoring app like Little Snitch, you’d need to do the same in it.

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**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 8:15am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/10 "2020-06-12T08:15:58Z")

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Hi All!

Reviving this thread! I have a direct sync between macOS (server) and iPad. I hadn’t turned my iPad on for 3 weeks and now when I do it doesn’t seem to sync.

Yes, mac and ipad are on the same network and all that.  
And note I noticed in iPad I had Bonjour turned on also (oops) but it’s turned off now and still not syncing. I can see my local network in the iPad locations… It’s turned on.

In DT3 on macOS it says it’s “offline” - any tips?

 ![Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 6.07.44 PM](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/4/487c825f565cbb1f48a8c1fcf24d5af2086cbcb2.png)

I think I need to delete that iPad Local Sync Store, right? Not sure what it is for!

Thanks  
Andrew

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 8:28am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/11 "2020-06-12T08:28:27Z")

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Incoming connections (see e.g. Preferences \> Sync on the Mac) are only necessary on one computer, all the other devices/computers should connect to this central computer via a Bonjour sync location.

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**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/12 "2020-06-12T08:55:20Z")

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Ok, Yes! Thanks! But… that doesn’t answer my question 🙂

Why on MacOS in pref\>sync is my Local Network “offline” (see photo)? How do I get it “online”?

Why is DTTG on iPad not synching to that local network (because it’s offline)? The local network connection on DTTG is turned on. The Cloud icon is transparent. And nothing loads.

The issue is my iPad was turned off for 3 weeks. Now when I open it DTTG doesn’t work…

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 9:14am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/13 "2020-06-12T09:14:29Z")

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As long as the iPad is awake, DEVONthink To Go running and the iPad is in the same WiFi network this should actually be available. Does rebooting the iPad/the router fix this? However, as already mentioned your setup is not the recommended one.

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**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:21am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/14 "2020-06-12T10:21:15Z")

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I checked the software and everything! Rebooted! Doesn’t work.

The Local Network on DTTG and DT3 both say “offline”…

Any tips??

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:23am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/15 "2020-06-12T10:23:43Z")

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DTTG “offline”

 ![IMG_0327](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/8/89ac042333eb99fa595bf57145f1ce8869cff0af.jpeg)

DT3 “offline”

 ![Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 5.56.50 PM](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/5/542eea23aa6827d12eba48c5c358136119ec94ee.png)

☹ ☹

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:34am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/16 "2020-06-12T10:34:54Z")

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Does e.g. the firewall block DEVONthink (see System Preferences \> Security)? In addition, I would still suggest to change your setup first.

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**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:42am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/17 "2020-06-12T10:42:11Z")

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Change what setup? This is the correct set up…

I turned Bonjour off on the iPad yesterday. It’s done.

Firewall is not an issue…

 ![Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 8.40.57 PM](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/8/809de28054e4ca589aa9d61dfd29e5cf94fd07ea.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:44am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/18 "2020-06-12T10:44:57Z")

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> [@awmn](#):
>
> Change what setup? This is the correct set up…

Incoming Bonjour connections are enabled both on the Mac and on the iPad according to your screenshots, see DEVONthink \> Preferences \> Sync \> Bonjour Options. Only one computer/device should be the server allowing incoming connections, the other device/computer should connect to via a Bonjour sync location. This is sufficient and avoids unnecessary conflicts (e.g. of ports).

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**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:55am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/19 "2020-06-12T10:55:11Z")

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As I mentioned, I resolved that ages ago. It’s not the issue.

My setup is what it’s meant to be.

On MacOS DT3 (the server) I have incoming connections enabled.

 ![Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 8.51.42 PM](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/1/141c36932d554294b669e9026e125f64bfeddf42.png)

On iPad DTTG I have incoming connections disabled.

 ![IMG_0328](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/7/77adbe787100db789991fbd89b1ab26d9e3d2ae8.jpeg)

But still… DTTG and DT3 both say that the Local Network is “offline”.

 ![IMG_0327](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/8/89ac042333eb99fa595bf57145f1ce8869cff0af.jpeg)

 ![Screenshot 2020-06-12 at 5.56.50 PM](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/2X/5/542eea23aa6827d12eba48c5c358136119ec94ee.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@awmn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/awmn)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/direct-sync-between-devonthink-pro-and-devonthink-to-go-on-iphone/54430/20 "2020-06-12T10:56:02Z")

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I’ve rebooted. I’ve checked software. I’ve checked the firewall. Not the issue…

🙂

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