---
id: bridge-devices.what-does-in-use-by-mean-in-collab-sync
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-in-use-by-mean-in-collab-sync
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Collab Sync"
question: "What does “In use by …” mean in Collab Sync?"
alt_questions:
  - "Lock icon on a synced file"
  - "File open on my other Mac"
  - "Can I edit a file the other Mac has open?"
  - "Collab Sync file in use"
  - "In use by other Mac warning"
short_answer: "It means the other Mac has the file open right now. You can still edit it; if both of you change it, Collab Sync keeps both versions so nothing is lost."
tags: ["collab sync", "locking"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-both-macs-change-the-same-file"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does “In use by …” mean in Collab Sync?

It's a heads-up that the other Mac has that file open right now. It doesn't stop you — you can still edit it.

If you both change it, both versions are kept: the newer one wins and the other is saved beside it, so you can choose later.

- [Both Macs changed a file](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-both-macs-change-the-same-file)