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Syncing with iCloud, where is the .moneydancesync file stored?

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boreham

11 Mar, 2024 07:26 PM

I have just switched from Dropbox syncing to iCloud syncing and so far all seems to be well.

With Dropbox syncing the invisible .moneydancesync folder was at root level in Dropbox. I can’t find it anywhere in iCloud Drive even with invisible folders made visible.

Is it called something different with iCloud syncing?

Thanks.

1. 1 Posted by boreham on 11 Mar, 2024 07:33 PM

   

   Just realised that maybe Moneydance uses CloudKit syncing rather than iCloud Drive for syncing between devices.

   If so is the file still findable? Occasionally when things went wrong with Dropbox syncing it was useful to delete the .moneydancesync folder and start afresh. How would one do that with iCloud syncing?

   Thanks

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2. 2 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 11 Mar, 2024 08:45 PM

   

   Toolbox extension. Top right. Open md folder. Open sync folder.

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3. 3 Posted by boreham on 11 Mar, 2024 10:40 PM

   

   Thank you very much Stuart. Would never have found that by poking around!

   I realised in the process of trying this that the sync method has to be set for each set of accounts. I had only changed one to iCloud, the other two were still on Dropbox.

   EDIT I don't understand why it doesn't appear in Finder since the location is iCloud Drive/Moneydance/Sync ....even with invisibles made visible.

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4. 4 Posted by boreham on 11 Mar, 2024 10:59 PM

   

   Should I be concerned that the Dropbox .moneydancesync folder is 57.4 MB and the iCloud Sync folder is only 16.6 MB?

   Thanks

   • Screenshot_2024-03-11_at_22.56.42.png 420 KB
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5. 5 Posted by boreham on 11 Mar, 2024 11:19 PM

   

   Another (bigger) problem which I would be grateful for any help with.

   I dual boot on this Mac which is like a second computer but obviously can never be on at the same time.

   I just changed the second volume over to iCloud, and it created a new iCloud Drive/Sync folder called "Sync" and renamed the original one to "Sync 2" so now I have two sync folders.

   How can I get both computers to be using just one Sync folder?

   Thanks again

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6. 6 Posted by boreham on 11 Mar, 2024 11:57 PM

   

   I am thinking that for the second computer I need to start from scratch and let it import from the iCloud Drive/Sync folder put there by the first. Not what I did which was simply to switch over to iCloud on both.

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7. 7 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 12 Mar, 2024 07:13 AM

   

   All computers must use the same iCloud account. Forget MD, are you able to sucessfully store a file in the same iCloud folder on all setups? Start with this. Then when you can, MD iCloud should be ok.

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8. 8 Posted by boreham on 12 Mar, 2024 09:00 AM

   

   Yes all devices signed in to the same Apple ID and document syncing working fine across all devices.

   I have decided to give up on iCloud syncing for now and revert to Dropbox folder.

   Reasons are:
   1. This problem, which does not happen with Dropbox syncing. Second computer does not create its own .moneydancesync folder.
   2. Difficulty seeing the iCloud Drive/Sync folder which does not appear in Finder. The only way of accessing it is via Toolbox provided iCloud syncing is turned on.
   3. Dropbox has an icon in the menubar and after using Moneydance I can see that Dropbox is syncing with little rotating arrow. Very reassuring. iCloud does not have this and I suspect is not quite as instant as iCloud and no confirmation that it has occurred.
   4. When I switch my iPhone and iPad to iCloud syncing it takes an age to show the available account and only shows one, where I have three (all changed to iCloud in the Mac app). This morning it never showed the account at all after selecting iCloud syncing. Dropbox always shows all three accounts instantly.
   5. General impression from this forum that there are fewer problems with Dropbox.
   6. There is no compelling reason for me to switch to iCloud. I can cancel my paid Dropbox sub as the free account allowance gives 2GB which is plenty for Moneydance.

   I am still interested in switching to iCloud syncing but need to understand the process and maybe give it a bit more time to mature. So I would be very grateful to hear any advice about switching to Cloud.

   Thanks

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9. 9 Posted by dwg on 12 Mar, 2024 09:50 AM

   

   Moneydance has been using Dropbox for over a decade in various forms so it is pretty well known, there does not seem to be any inherent problems with the use of Dropbox and Moneydance.

   iCloud usage only goes back to Moneydance 2022, Sean has said to the effect that it is a bit of a pain to work with and with what we are seeing with Sonoma it may well not be an ideal fit with Moneydance.

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10. 10 Posted by boreham on 12 Mar, 2024 10:10 AM

    

    Thanks dwg, I guess this is what I am experiencing.

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11. System closed this discussion on 11 Jun, 2024 10:20 AM.