{"id":"data-transfers.copy-vs-move-vs-sync","url":"/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync","category":{"id":"data-transfers","title":"Data Transfers"},"subcategory":{"id":"operations","title":"Copy, Move and Sync"},"question":"What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?","alt_questions":["copy vs move vs sync storage studio","Which operation should I choose in New Transfer?","difference between sync and copy","Does sync delete files?","what does each transfer mode do","copy move sync bidirectional explained"],"short_answer":"Copy leaves the source untouched; Move copies, checks, then removes the source; Sync (one-way) mirrors the source and deletes extras at the destination; Bidirectional sync keeps both sides matched.","answer_markdown":"**Copy** puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. **Move** copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. **Sync (one-way)** makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn't in the source is deleted. **Bidirectional sync** keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.\n\nA fifth choice, **Download**, fetches one file from a web link.\n\nRules of thumb:\n\n- Want a second copy? **Copy**.\n- Want the space back from the source? **Move**.\n- Want the destination to always look like the source? **Sync (one-way)** — and dry-run it first.\n- Edit in both places? **Bidirectional sync**.\n\nRelated: [Does Sync (one-way) delete files?](/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files) · [What is Bidirectional sync?](/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync)","answer_html":"<p><strong>Copy</strong> puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. <strong>Move</strong> copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. <strong>Sync (one-way)</strong> makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn&#39;t in the source is deleted. <strong>Bidirectional sync</strong> keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.</p>\n<p>A fifth choice, <strong>Download</strong>, fetches one file from a web link.</p>\n<p>Rules of thumb:</p>\n<ul><li>Want a second copy? <strong>Copy</strong>.</li><li>Want the space back from the source? <strong>Move</strong>.</li><li>Want the destination to always look like the source? <strong>Sync (one-way)</strong> — and dry-run it first.</li><li>Edit in both places? <strong>Bidirectional sync</strong>.</li></ul>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files\">Does Sync (one-way) delete files?</a> · <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync\">What is Bidirectional sync?</a></p>","answer_text":"Copy puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. Move copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. Sync (one-way) makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn't in the source is deleted. Bidirectional sync keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.\n\nA fifth choice, Download, fetches one file from a web link.\n\nRules of thumb:\n\n- Want a second copy? Copy.\n- Want the space back from the source? Move.\n- Want the destination to always look like the source? Sync (one-way) — and dry-run it first.\n- Edit in both places? Bidirectional sync.\n\nRelated: Does Sync (one-way) delete files? · What is Bidirectional sync?","tags":["copy","move","sync","operations"],"related":[{"id":"data-transfers.does-one-way-sync-delete-files","question":"Does Sync (one-way) delete files at the destination?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files"},{"id":"data-transfers.what-is-bidirectional-sync","question":"What is Bidirectional sync and when should I use it?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync"},{"id":"data-transfers.is-move-safe","question":"Is Move safe — when are the original files removed?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/is-move-safe"},{"id":"data-transfers.download-a-file-from-a-link","question":"How do I download a file from a web link with Data Transfers?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/download-a-file-from-a-link"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Copy leaves the source untouched; Move copies, checks, then removes the source; Sync (one-way) mirrors the source and deletes extras at the destination; Bidirectional sync keeps both sides matched.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Data Transfers","path":"/faq/data-transfers/"},{"name":"What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?","path":"/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?","alternateName":["copy vs move vs sync storage studio","Which operation should I choose in New Transfer?","difference between sync and copy","Does sync delete files?","what does each transfer mode do","copy move sync bidirectional explained"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Copy puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. Move copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. Sync (one-way) makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn't in the source is deleted. Bidirectional sync keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.\n\nA fifth choice, Download, fetches one file from a web link.\n\nRules of thumb:\n\n- Want a second copy? Copy.\n- Want the space back from the source? Move.\n- Want the destination to always look like the source? Sync (one-way) — and dry-run it first.\n- Edit in both places? Bidirectional sync.\n\nRelated: Does Sync (one-way) delete files? · What is Bidirectional sync?","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync"}}]},"fragment":"<div class=\"wrap fl-wrap\"><div class=\"fl-layout\"><aside class=\"fl-side\" aria-label=\"FAQ topics\"><details open><summary>All topics</summary><ul class=\"fl-tree\"><li><a href=\"/faq/getting-started/\">Getting started</a> <span>70</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/freeing-space/\">Freeing up space</a> <span>182</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/moving-folders/\">Moving folders</a> <span>144</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/apps/\">Apps</a> <span>146</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/external-drives/\">External drives</a> <span>169</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/finder-location/\">Finding things in Finder</a> <span>70</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/cloud-accounts/\">Cloud accounts</a> <span>158</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/icloud/\">iCloud &amp; iCloud Photos</a> <span>168</span></li><li class=\"fl-open\"><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/\" aria-current=\"true\">Data Transfers</a> <span>119</span><ul><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#basics\">Data Transfers basics</a> <span>12</span></li><li class=\"fl-on\"><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#operations\">Copy, Move and Sync</a> <span>10</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#downloads\">Downloads and large files</a> <span>13</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#setting-up\">Setting up a transfer</a> <span>13</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#scheduling\">Scheduling transfers</a> <span>13</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#progress-and-control\">Progress, pausing and history</a> <span>12</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#drive-and-space\">External drive and disk space</a> <span>9</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#speed-and-advanced\">Speed and advanced options</a> <span>9</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#devices-and-plan-storage\">Paired devices and plan storage</a> <span>9</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#problems\">Problems and messages</a> <span>12</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#privacy-and-reporting\">Privacy, safety and reporting</a> <span>7</span></li></ul></li><li><a href=\"/faq/backups/\">Backups &amp; restore points</a> <span>126</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/delta-drive/\">Delta Drive, Delta Trust &amp; My Drive</a> <span>125</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/bridge-devices/\">Bridge &amp; your devices</a> <span>111</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/duplicates/\">Duplicate files</a> <span>74</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/junk-yard/\">Junk Yard</a> <span>113</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/tuhi-assistant/\">Tuhi, your storage assistant</a> <span>105</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/settings/\">Settings &amp; keep-time</a> <span>88</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/performance-battery/\">Performance &amp; battery</a> <span>62</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/privacy-safety/\">Privacy &amp; safety</a> <span>85</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/licensing-payments/\">Licensing &amp; payments</a> <span>131</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/troubleshooting/\">Troubleshooting &amp; messages</a> <span>180</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/comparisons/\">Comparisons &amp; alternatives</a> <span>75</span></li><li><a href=\"/faq/mac-storage-basics/\">Mac storage basics</a> <span>315</span></li></ul></details></aside><div class=\"fl-main\"><nav class=\"fl-crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"/faq/\">FAQ</a></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/\">Data Transfers</a></li><li aria-current=\"page\">What&#39;s the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?</li></ol></nav>\n<form class=\"fl-search\" action=\"/faq/search\" method=\"get\" role=\"search\" data-fl-search>\n<label class=\"fl-visually-hidden\" for=\"fl-q\">Search the FAQ</label>\n<input id=\"fl-q\" type=\"search\" name=\"q\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Search 2,816 questions…\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\">\n<button type=\"submit\">Search</button>\n<div class=\"fl-suggest\" role=\"listbox\" hidden></div>\n</form>\n<article class=\"fl-entry\">\n<p class=\"eyebrow fl-eyebrow\"><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/\">Data Transfers</a> · <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/#operations\">Copy, Move and Sync</a></p>\n<h1>What&#39;s the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?</h1>\n<p class=\"fl-short\"><strong>Short answer:</strong> Copy leaves the source untouched; Move copies, checks, then removes the source; Sync (one-way) mirrors the source and deletes extras at the destination; Bidirectional sync keeps both sides matched.</p>\n<div class=\"fl-answer\"><p><strong>Copy</strong> puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. <strong>Move</strong> copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. <strong>Sync (one-way)</strong> makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn&#39;t in the source is deleted. <strong>Bidirectional sync</strong> keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.</p>\n<p>A fifth choice, <strong>Download</strong>, fetches one file from a web link.</p>\n<p>Rules of thumb:</p>\n<ul><li>Want a second copy? <strong>Copy</strong>.</li><li>Want the space back from the source? <strong>Move</strong>.</li><li>Want the destination to always look like the source? <strong>Sync (one-way)</strong> — and dry-run it first.</li><li>Edit in both places? <strong>Bidirectional sync</strong>.</li></ul>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files\">Does Sync (one-way) delete files?</a> · <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync\">What is Bidirectional sync?</a></p></div>\n\n<p class=\"fl-meta\">Last reviewed <time datetime=\"2026-10-01\">October 1, 2026</time></p>\n<nav class=\"fl-path\" aria-label=\"Connect a cloud account\"><p><a href=\"/faq/#start-connect-a-cloud-account\">Connect a cloud account</a> · step 5 of 5</p><div><a class=\"fl-prev\" href=\"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-data-transfers\">← What is Data Transfers in Storage Studio?</a><a class=\"fl-next\" href=\"/faq/\">Back to the FAQ →</a></div></nav>\n<section class=\"fl-related\"><h2>Related questions</h2><ul><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files\">Does Sync (one-way) delete files at the destination?</a></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync\">What is Bidirectional sync and when should I use it?</a></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/is-move-safe\">Is Move safe — when are the original files removed?</a></li><li><a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/download-a-file-from-a-link\">How do I download a file from a web link with Data Transfers?</a></li></ul></section>\n<p class=\"fl-formats\">Also available as <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync.md\">Markdown</a> and <a href=\"/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync.json\">JSON</a>.</p>\n</article></div></div></div>"}