Important
Categories:
The User Interface of RsyncUI may pose challenges for users unfamiliar with the rsync
command. The primary objective is to simplify the usage of rsync
, rather than providing a comprehensive introduction of rsync
to macOS users. This scope is beyond the intended purpose of the interface. RsyncUI is a graphical layer atop the command-line tool rsync
. It does not directly perform the underlying operations; rsync
is responsible for the actual synchronization of data.
Setting incorrect parameters for rsync can result in the deletion of data. Furthermore, RsyncUI does not prevent you from performing such actions.
RsyncUI is a complimentary and open-source application. Kindly review the MIT license.
Before executing a new task in RsyncUI, please perform an estimation run, a –dry-run, and inspect the result. If you inadvertently set an empty directory as the source and the delete parameter is enabled, rsync will delete all files in the destination.
The delete parameter
The –delete parameter, herein referred to as the parameter, enables rsync to maintain absolute synchronization between the source and destination directories. When a file is deleted from the source, the parameter instructs rsync to delete the corresponding file from the destination. Conversely, if the parameter is disabled, the destination directory will contain additional data after deleting files from the source.
Therefore, it is crucial to ascertain whether the parameter is enabled or disabled. Enabling the parameter ensures complete synchronization between the source and destination directories.
How to remove and add the delete parameter
Select the Rsync parameters from the primary Sidebar menu. Select the task for which you want to add or remove the --delete
parameter. And then toggle the Add –delete parameter, ON is added . After toggle, remember to update the task.
- if ON, the –delete parameter is included
- if off, the –delete parameter is removed
The complete rsync string is updated when parameters are changed.

Two options to save updates to data
This options applies to the data which is synchronized by RsyncUI.
There are a two options to automatically save changes to data when it is changed or deleted. Rsync supports a backup flag. By, in RsyncUI, switching on RsyncUI adds the required parameters. You may change the backup directory to any location you want.
Using snapshots, the second option, require that the latest version 3.x of rsync
is installed. Please refer to the Snapshots section how to enable and use snapshots.
Remote servers
RsyncUI compels data transfer via SSH if the destination is a remote server. The parameter -e ssh to rsync enables data transfer to be tunneled via SSH. It appears that recent versions of rsync or SSH do not require this parameter, but for safety, RsyncUI appends it if the destination is a remote server.
Through the SSH tunnel, the transfer is encrypted when transmitted over a network connection.
Refer to the Passwordless login section for further information on SSH and SSH-keys. This feature cannot be disabled.
Aborting Tasks
Please be cognizant that this is an external task not under the control of RsyncUI. It executes the command-line tool rsync
.
RsyncUI monitors the task for progress and termination.
The user has the authority to abort a task at any juncture. Please permit the abort to complete and execute any necessary cleanup operations before initiating a new task. This process may take a few seconds. If not, RsyncUI may become unresponsive.
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