Posted on by Mac User

ChronoSync Carbon Copy Cloners replacement ?

ChronoSync is a macOS application used for synchronizing files, creating backups, and mirroring folders between local and remote storage devices. Here’s how to set it up and use it effectively:

1. Download and Install ChronoSync

  • Visit the official Econ Technologies website and download ChronoSync.
  • Install the application by dragging it to the Applications folder.

2. Setting Up a Synchronization Task

  1. Launch ChronoSync (you can setup the trial for 15 days or buy the one time licence which is bound to one Mac)
  2. Create a New Synchronizer Document.
  3. In the Setup Panel, configure the Left Target (source) and Right Target (destination).
    • The source and destination can be local folders, external drives, network storage (NAS), or cloud storage.
  4. Choose the desired sync mode:
    • Synchronize Bidirectionally: Keeps both locations updated.
    • Backup Left-to-Right: Creates a backup from the source to the destination.
    • Mirror Left-to-Right: Makes the destination identical to the source.
Sample of a bootable Backup of the internal drive to an External 2.5″ drive.

3. Configuring Sync Options

  • Rules: Exclude or include specific files/folders.
  • Schedule: Automate sync tasks (daily, weekly, real-time, etc.).
  • Archive: Keep older versions of modified/deleted files.
  • Validation: Ensures data integrity after synchronization. (this is a nice feature to test your sync before going live)
For this test we selected APFS default system to test the External Boot after the clone.

4. Running and Monitoring Sync Jobs

  • Click Synchronize to start the process.
  • Use the Analyze feature to preview changes.
  • Monitor logs and sync history in the ChronoSync Organizer.
Task ready to go once completed the wizard.

5. Advanced Features

  • Cloud Integration: Sync with Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.
  • Bootable Backup: Clone your macOS startup disk.
  • InterMac Sync: Transfer data between two Macs via ChronoAgent.
Clone from Source drive (Internal but could be a Target disk Drive) to a 2.5″ ext Drive. Then tested on boot to see if the clone was success.

Conclusion

ChronoSync is a powerful and flexible tool for file synchronization and backup on macOS. Setting it up is straightforward, and its scheduling, archiving, and automation features make it an excellent choice for data security. Download option and insertions is a little confusion from the site if your going for a trial option. The Wizard sequence does take a while to get used to if you used to Carbon Copy Cloner Drag and drop interface. However as long as you understand the difference in data clone options you should fine this programme as powerful as Carbon Copy Cloner or even SuperDuper.

Costings are around the same, Products do roughly the same tasking some are easier to use than others. Having all three software programmes at your finger tips is handy for any Mac technician.

Here is the article on SuperDuper and this is the article on the new version (7) of Carbon Copy Cloner