Moving from iCloud to CloudKit syncing

There is no migration between sync locations. The sync methods don’t share data.

Note: If you are switching to CloudKit, at this time we suggest syncing one database at a time as we try and gather information on two domain errors a few people have reported.


If you are only syncing DEVONthink on a Mac…

  1. Enable the iCloud (CloudKit) sync location, entering an optional encryption key, if desired.
  2. Enable a database to sync.
  3. After the sync is finished, enable the next database to sync and repeat, as needed.
  4. Make sure the legacy sync location is enabled
  5. Control-click the iCloud (Legacy) location and choose Clean Location to remove the sync data.
  6. When the clean has been reported in Window > Log, you can disable or remove the legacy location.

If you are syncing Mac and mobile…

(Follow the instructions in this order)

  1. In DEVONthink To Go’s Settings > Sync: Locations, tap the Edit link, and remove the iCloud (Legacy) sync location.
  2. On the Mac, enable the iCloud (CloudKit) sync location, entering an optional encryption key, if desired.
  3. Enable a database to sync.
  4. After the sync is finished, enable the next database to sync and repeat, as needed.
  5. After all your syncing is done, make sure the legacy sync location is enabled.
  6. Control-click the iCloud (Legacy) location and choose Clean Location to remove the sync data.
  7. When the clean has been reported in Window > Log, you can disable or remove the legacy location.
  8. After syncing in done in DEVONthink, go into DEVONthink To Go’s Settings > Sync: Locations
  9. Tap the Edit link, and enable the iCloud (CloudKit) sync location.
    Make sure to use the same encryption key if you specified one when you synced the Mac.
  10. Tap the CloudKit location and import or sync databases, as needed.
    If you are using a shallow sync for some existing database in DEVONthink To Go, you will be prompted with a warning about content not being available to sync. Since you are connecting to a sync location with the content stoed in it, you can press Proceed.

If you are only syncing DEVONthink To Go…

Do not disable the previous sync location. This is to address the possibility you’re using a shallow sync, i.e., Download Files: On demand.

  1. Go into DEVONthink To Go’s Settings > Sync: Locations and enable the iCloud (CloudKit) sync location.
    Make sure to use the same encryption key if you specified one when you synced the Mac.
  2. Tap the location and import or sync a database.
    If you are using a shallow sync, you will be prompted with a warning about content not being available to sync. Since the old sync location is still enabled, you can press Proceed. This will download the sync data from the old location to upload to the new location.
  3. After the sync is finished, enable the next database to sync and repeat, as needed.
  4. When syncing is finished, you can tap the Edit link in the Sync settings and remove the legacy sync location.
15 Likes