Requirements:
Both devices must be using the same configuration It is only possible to synchronize with devices that use the same configuration. For more on how to import configurations, see Importing configurations to Mapeo Desktop.
To synchronize, follow the steps below:
For more on how to create a local Wi-Fi network or connect to Wi-Fi, see I want to create local Wi-Fi networks I want to connect to Wi-Fi
In order to synchronize, both devices must have the Synchronize screen open.
Devices available for syncing will be listed on the Synchronize screen.
Remember that in order for a device to appear in the list, it must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, have the Synchronize screen open, and be using the same project configuration. You can confirm which configuration Mapeo Desktop is currently using by consulting the white bar at the bottom of the Synchronize screen. For troubleshooting on this step, see I have sync issues.
Once available devices appear in the list, confirm the identity of the device you plan to synchronize with by consulting the unique identification number on the other user's device.
To see the unique identification number of a Mapeo Mobile device, check the right side of the navy blue bar on the Synchronize screen in Mapeo Mobile.
Important: Keep the Synchronize screen open on both devices until the synchronization process is complete.
To learn about viewing and managing synchronized data:
In Mapeo Desktop, continue to Viewing observations
In Mapeo Mobile, see #view-synced-observations
Mapeo Desktop can synchronize data via Wi-Fi with other computers or smartphones that use Mapeo. This is a good sync option when devices are near each other and it works with no internet connection.
Both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network For devices to sync, both need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This Wi-Fi network does not need to have an internet connection.
Connect both Mapeo devices to the same Wi-Fi network. In offline environments, a local Wi-Fi network can be created using a mobile wireless router or a third device capable of serving as an offline hotspot.
In Mapeo Desktop: Click on Synchronize in the Mapeo modes panel.
In Mapeo Mobile: Tap the Synchronize button on the home screen.
In Mapeo Desktop, click on the SYNCHRONIZE button below the device name to begin the exchange of data.
While other options allow the synchronization between smartphones and computers, synchronizing with a file is only possible between computers.
In this option, a sync file is created in Mapeo Desktop on one computer and then it is used by another computer with Mapeo to exchange data. During the synchronization, all data contained in the sync file is transferred to the computer that is syncing with it, and all data in the Mapeo database of the computer will also be transferred to the sync file. It uses the same two-way method as synchronization via Wi-Fi. To learn more about how synchronization works, see Peer-to-peer & Mapeo sync.
Other requirements:
Both devices must be using the same configuration It is only possible to sync with sync files created by devices that use the same configuration. For more on how to import configurations, seeImporting configurations to Mapeo DesktopImporting configurations into Mapeo Mobile.
Click on Synchronize on the Mapeo modes panel
3. Click on the Create a sync file button and choose the name and location where the generated file will be saved.
There are two options for sharing a sync file:
Click on Synchronize in the Mapeo modes panel.
4. Click on the Sync from a file button and in the pop-up window, navigate until you find the desired sync file. Then click on it and click Open.Start synchronization
The synchronization with the file will automatically begin.
Important: Keep the Synchronize screen open on both devices until the synchronization process is complete.
To learn about viewing and managing synchronized data in Mapeo Desktop Observations mode, continue to:
Mapeo allows you to synchronize collected data with other Mapeo users or devices that are members of the same project. Synchronizing is used regularly throughout the course of projects to aggregate data collected by different participants and ensure that multiple copies of the complete database exist. Syncing data does not always require an internet connection and can be done in entirely offline areas.
Please note that by synchronizing with another Mapeo user, ALL DATA is shared in both directions. You will receive all of the observations present on the other Mapeo device and they will receive all of the observations present on your device. Only synchronize with members of your project whom you trust with all of your data. For more on synchronization, see: Peer-to-peer & Mapeo sync.
Any edits that have been made to the data will also be transferred to the other device during synchronization. For example, if a person deletes or edits an observation and then syncs with other devices, this observation will be deleted or edited on all synced devices.
It is important to create project synchronization protocols to ensure that all data becomes part of the project database.
There are 2 ways to synchronize with Mapeo Desktop:
If devices are in the same place, even without a Wi-Fi network.
If devices are not in the same place and both have an internet connection.
If devices are near each other, this is a good sync option when you can't create a local Wi-Fi network. You can instead use a USB drive to copy and paste the sync file between different devices. It works with no internet connection.
If devices are not near each other, this is also a good sync option. In this case, you will either need to transport a USB drive to the location of the second device or have access to an internet connection.
Open Mapeo Desktop on computer 1, the computer on which you want to create a sync file. The generated sync file will include all the Mapeo data from that computer.
Send sync file via email or file sharing service (Requires an internet connection)
Copy and paste sync file using a USB drive (Works with no internet connection)
Locate the generated sync file on computer 1.
In your email app (Gmail, Hotmail, etc.), create a new email and attach the sync file. Send it to the user of the computer 2, the computer with which you want to sync.
Computer 2 must receive the sync file and save it. It is important to remember where has it been saved.
If the sync file is too large to be sent by email, you can use other platforms such as WeTransfer, Google Drive, or Dropbox. You can send files up to 2GB for free using these apps.
Connect a USB drive to computer 1, where you generated the sync file.
Locate the generated sync file on computer 1 and click on it using the right button of the mouse. Select Copy.
Navigate to the USB drive in the file system. Right-click on the location and select Paste to paste the sync file onto the drive.
Disconnect the USB drive and connect it to the computer you want to sync with ( computer 2).
Navigate to the USB drive folder and locate the sync file. Right-click on the file and select Copy. Navigate to where you would like to save the sync file on computer 2. Right-click on the location and select Paste.
Locate the received or pasted sync file on computer 2, the computer you want to sync with.
Open Mapeo Desktop on computer 2.
When the synchronization is complete, computer 2 and the sync file will have identical copies of the Mapeo database. To complete a 2-way synchronization between the two computers, repeat the process to copy the sync file back to computer 1 and use it to Sync from a file.
To load observations into Mapeo Desktop for the first time, you will need to synchronize data with another computer or smartphone that uses Mapeo.
Synchronization via Wi-Fi () For syncing with another computer or smartphone Can be used if both devices are in the same place and have access to a Wi-Fi network. (An internet connection is not required.)
Synchronization with a file () Only for syncing between computers Useful in these two contexts: