File sync

Syncing keeps the same folder up to date across all your devices: the moment you save a change on your laptop, the file uploads to the cloud ✕ "The cloud" refers to services and storage that run not on your device but on external servers on the internet. You can access them from anywhere. More in the glossary → and downloads to your phone and tablet. That way you always work on the latest version wherever you are, without emailing files to yourself. It is not the same as a backup ✕ A backup is a copy of your data kept in a separate place, letting you restore everything after data loss, hardware failure, or a ransomware attack. More in the glossary → : if you delete a file, sync deletes that removal everywhere, which is why it pairs best with versioning and history. Many services offer selective sync so folders you rarely use do not fill up your disk. When comparing, speed, reliability and how each provider handles edit conflicts matter. More in the best cloud storage comparison.