Dictionary Syncing

When you are signed into TalkWriter, your custom dictionary and snippets sync automatically across all your devices. Add a word on your work Mac and it appears on your personal Mac within seconds.

How Syncing Works

Here is the process in simple terms:

1. You add, edit, or delete a word on any device
2. The change is uploaded to TalkWriter's secure cloud within seconds
3. Your other devices pull the update automatically in the background
4. Every device now has the same dictionary

You do not need to press any button or trigger sync manually. As long as your device is connected to the internet, it happens automatically.

What Gets Synced

Item	Synced?
Custom words	Yes
Pronunciation hints	Yes
Text snippets	Yes
Snippet expansions	Yes
Specialized dictionary packs	No (installed per device)

Checking Sync Status

Look for the sync indicator in the Dictionary or Snippets tab:

Icon	Status
Green checkmark	Fully synced and up to date
Spinning arrows	Sync in progress
Orange warning	Sync delayed — changes queued (waiting for internet)
Red X	Sync error — action needed

Conflict Resolution Explained Simply

A conflict happens when you edit the exact same word on two devices before they sync. Here is how TalkWriter handles it:

1. Last edit wins — the most recent change (by timestamp) is kept
2. Deletions are final — if you delete a word on one device, it is removed everywhere
3. Offline changes queue up — edits made while offline sync the next time you connect, using the timestamp of when you originally made the change

tip

Conflicts are rare in practice. They only happen if you edit the same entry on two devices within a few seconds of each other. To be safe, make bulk changes on one device at a time.

Troubleshooting Sync Issues

Changes Not Appearing on Another Device

1. Verify both devices are signed into the same TalkWriter account
2. Check your internet connection on both devices
3. Open Settings > Dictionary and look at the sync status indicator
4. Click the Sync Now button to force a manual sync

Sync Stuck or Showing an Error

1. Sign out of TalkWriter and sign back in
2. Restart the application
3. If the issue persists, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset Sync Cache — this re-downloads your full dictionary from the server

warning

Resetting the sync cache replaces your local dictionary with the server version. Make sure your most recent edits are on a device with a working connection before resetting.

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FAQ

Does syncing work on the Free plan? Yes. Dictionary and snippet syncing is available on all plans including Free.

How fast does sync happen? Changes typically appear on other devices within 5-10 seconds.

Is my dictionary data encrypted during sync? Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest on the server.

Can I disable syncing? Yes. Go to Settings > Advanced and toggle off Sync Dictionary. Your dictionary will remain local only.