Upgraded to DT4.2.1 → Lost all custom metadata

DEVONthink
1

Hi!

I’m having an issue. I upgraded today to DT4.2.1, however all my custom metadata disappeared. I can’t find a forum addressing this, and I’m panicking a bit because my custom metadata is numerous categories pertaining to medical field. Please, help with this. Regards.

Pavan

2

Welcome @pavan.dadlani

  • Are you saying the Data settings are empty?
  • What other device(s) are syncing the affected databases?
3

Hi @BLUEFROG,

  • Yes, the data field in the right side-bar showed none of my metadata, and went I went to check and none of my custom fields are there. Only the ones that come predefined by DT (attaching screenshot)
  • My iphone and ipad sync 5 of my most used DBs. Only one of those is heavy (various clinical pictures), while the other DB’s contain just markdowns notes
    • iOS with latest software using DTTG4.
    • Mac with MacOS 15.7.1 (sequoia).
    • I sync through iCloud (ClouKit)

Regards.

Pavan

Dr. P. Dadlani - USMLE Step 2CK — Cardiology (February.19.2026-qMzgMShg)@2x
Dr. P. Dadlani - USMLE Step 2CK — Cardiology (February.19.2026-qMzgMShg)@2x1920×1243 295 KB

4

The actual custom metadata of all your documents is still there but hidden as the required setup is obviously missing. Which version of DEVONthink To Go do you use, did you upgrade recently to version 4.x?

One possibility might be to restore a backup of ~/Library/Application Support/DEVONthink/CustomMetadata.plist (e.g. via Time Machine) or to copy it from another computer if possible.

Otherwise you would have to add the same definitions to Settings > Data again.

5

Hi!

Yes I’ve been adding it manually.

I think the issue is stemming from Devon Think to GO…. because i opened my Mac DT today and again all my custom metadata disappeared. And when I go to the mobile app… only a metadata field I created months ago, which i also eliminated appears, but nothing else. Do I need to delete of my sync stores and iOS app and start from fresh?

6

Nevermind, I disabled custom metadata from syncing in the iOS app. Hopefully that resolves the issue.

7

Which version of DEVONthink To Go and what kind of sync locations do you use? Do you use multiple sync stores?

8

You disabled syncing custom metadata as a remedy or you discovered you disabled it, potentially leading to this outcome?