{"id":"bridge-devices.collab-sync-says-to-check-my-clock","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/collab-sync-says-to-check-my-clock","category":{"id":"bridge-devices","title":"Bridge & your devices"},"subcategory":{"id":"collab-sync","title":"Collab Sync"},"question":"Why does Collab Sync tell me to check my Mac's clock?","alt_questions":["Collab Sync wrong time warning","Date and time wrong on my Mac sync","Clock looks wrong Collab Sync","Newest version wrong in Collab Sync","Fix Mac clock for syncing"],"short_answer":"Collab Sync compares times to pick the newer file, so it warns you when a Mac's clock looks wrong. Turn on automatic time in System Settings → General → Date & Time on that Mac, then review any conflict copies.","answer_markdown":"Collab Sync decides which version of a file is newer, so it compares times carefully across the two Macs. If one Mac's clock looks wrong, it tells you rather than letting that Mac quietly win.\n\nOn the Mac in question, open **System Settings** → **General** → **Date & Time** and turn on setting the time automatically. Then let the folders sync again; any file kept as a conflict copy can be reviewed and restored.\n\n- [Both Macs changed a file](/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-both-macs-change-the-same-file)","answer_html":"

Collab Sync decides which version of a file is newer, so it compares times carefully across the two Macs. If one Mac's clock looks wrong, it tells you rather than letting that Mac quietly win.

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On the Mac in question, open System Settings → General → Date & Time and turn on setting the time automatically. Then let the folders sync again; any file kept as a conflict copy can be reviewed and restored.

\n","answer_text":"Collab Sync decides which version of a file is newer, so it compares times carefully across the two Macs. If one Mac's clock looks wrong, it tells you rather than letting that Mac quietly win.\n\nOn the Mac in question, open System Settings → General → Date & Time and turn on setting the time automatically. Then let the folders sync again; any file kept as a conflict copy can be reviewed and restored.\n\n- Both Macs changed a file","tags":["collab sync","clock","troubleshooting"],"related":[{"id":"bridge-devices.what-happens-when-both-macs-change-the-same-file","question":"What happens in Collab Sync when both Macs change the same file?","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-both-macs-change-the-same-file"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Why does Collab Sync tell me to check my Mac's clock? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Collab Sync compares times to pick the newer file, so it warns you when a Mac's clock looks wrong. Turn on automatic time in System Settings → General → Date & Time on that Mac, then review any conflict copies.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Bridge & your devices","path":"/faq/bridge-devices/"},{"name":"Why does Collab Sync tell me to check my Mac's clock?","path":"/faq/bridge-devices/collab-sync-says-to-check-my-clock"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/collab-sync-says-to-check-my-clock","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does Collab Sync tell me to check my Mac's clock?","alternateName":["Collab Sync wrong time warning","Date and time wrong on my Mac sync","Clock looks wrong Collab Sync","Newest version wrong in Collab Sync","Fix Mac clock for syncing"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Collab Sync decides which version of a file is newer, so it compares times carefully across the two Macs. If one Mac's clock looks wrong, it tells you rather than letting that Mac quietly win.\n\nOn the Mac in question, open System Settings → General → Date & Time and turn on setting the time automatically. Then let the folders sync again; any file kept as a conflict copy can be reviewed and restored.\n\n- Both Macs changed a file","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/collab-sync-says-to-check-my-clock"}}]},"fragment":"
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Bridge & your devices · Collab Sync

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Why does Collab Sync tell me to check my Mac's clock?

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Short answer: Collab Sync compares times to pick the newer file, so it warns you when a Mac's clock looks wrong. Turn on automatic time in System Settings → General → Date & Time on that Mac, then review any conflict copies.

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Collab Sync decides which version of a file is newer, so it compares times carefully across the two Macs. If one Mac's clock looks wrong, it tells you rather than letting that Mac quietly win.

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On the Mac in question, open System Settings → General → Date & Time and turn on setting the time automatically. Then let the folders sync again; any file kept as a conflict copy can be reviewed and restored.

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Last reviewed

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