Trackself Documentation

Desktop guide

Sync & Data Protection

Compare shared-folder sync and cloud sync, then understand how Trackself protects sensitive task content on the desktop path.

Sync & Data Protection

Desktop editing and protected data flows stay compatible with encrypted task content.

Trackself gives you two ways to sync your data across devices, plus data protection to keep sensitive task content private.

HTTP Sync (Premium)

Premium users can sync through Trackself's cloud backend instead of a shared folder.

When you turn on HTTP Sync, Trackself may guide you through additional steps before sync can start:

  • Set up Data Protection if this device does not have access configured yet
  • Use an existing access method if protected data is already available for your account
  • Protect older local plaintext data before enabling sync

Data Protection

Trackself protects sensitive task content before it syncs. Task titles, notes, and categories are protected, while start and end times stay visible so the app can still render your timeline and analytics.

Setting Up Access

  1. Open Privacy & Sync.
  2. Turn on Enable Data Protection or open Access Settings.
  3. Choose one access method:
    • Access Code (Recommended)
    • Access Password
  4. If you choose Access Code, save the code, confirm that you saved it, and type it back exactly.
  5. If you choose Access Password, create and confirm a strong password that is different from your Trackself login password.
  6. Existing entries are protected in the background.

Important: If you lose every device that still has access unlocked and you also lose your saved access method, your protected data cannot be recovered.

Set up Access

Access setup guides you through recovery methods before protected data starts syncing.

Access Code and Access Password

  • Access Code is shown only once and is not stored for later viewing.
  • If an Access Code is already set up, use the Add access method button on the Access Code card in Access Settings to generate a new Access Code for the existing Personal Access. This changes the access code for the current Personal Access; it does not create a new Personal Access key.
  • Access Password is a transfer-friendly password you create yourself for unlocking protected data on another device.
  • You can add another access method later from Access Settings.
  • On a new device, choose Use access method from Access Settings, or complete the unlock prompt after selecting a shared folder.

How It Works

  • Sensitive task content is protected before sync
  • Access is stored securely on your device
  • Sync requires Data Protection to be available on the device

Disabling Data Protection

To turn off Data Protection, disable synchronization first if sync is active. Then turn off Enable Data Protection.

Team Workspaces

If you belong to a team workspace, Trackself keeps personal and team access separate.

In the task editor, you can assign an entry to:

  • Private — visible only to you
  • Team workspace — shared with team members in that workspace

If team access is still being prepared on this device, workspace entries can appear locked or unavailable. Open Access Settings and use Refresh Team Access if a team workspace is still pending on the current device.

Workspace picker

Personal and workspace entries stay separated at the task level.

Shared Folder Sync

The simplest way to sync is through a shared folder in a service you already use, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Shared Folder Sync is a single-user feature. It is meant for one Trackself account syncing its own data between that same user's devices. Do not point multiple people's Trackself apps at the same shared folder.

Setting Up

  1. Open the menu (bottom-right button) and select Privacy & Sync.
  2. If HTTP Sync is enabled, turn it off first. Shared Folder Sync selection is disabled while HTTP Sync is on.
  3. Under Shared Folder Sync, click Choose Shared Folder.
  4. Pick a folder inside your cloud storage directory (for example, Google Drive/Trackself).
  5. If Trackself finds protected data in that folder, complete the unlock prompt using your Access Code or Access Password.
  6. Once the folder stays selected, Trackself will read and write sync data there.

Any device you use that points to the same folder will stay in sync. The sync is conflict-free, so changes from your different devices merge automatically without data loss.

Shared Folder Sync

Choose and manage the shared folder directly from Privacy and Sync.

Disabling Shared Folder Sync

To stop syncing, go to Privacy & Sync and remove the selected shared folder. Your local data stays intact.

Troubleshooting

If you see a data version mismatch warning, another device is likely running a newer version of Trackself. Update the app on this device first. If the issue persists, use Reset Sync to re-initialize synchronization.