Type of Data to Synchronize

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Mobile device synchronization (sync) refers to copying data back and forth between different devices.

• many different types of information that users might synchronize and many issues you might face dealing with synchronization problems

Contacts

• contact is a record with fields for name, address, email address(es), phone numbers, notes, and so on
• One issue with contacts is that people tend to create them on different systems
  • can be issues matching fields or phone number formats when importing from one system to another
    • vCard is one standard format and is widely supported now

Calendar

• calendar item is a record with fields for appointment or task information, such as subject, date, location, and participants
• have the same sort of sync issues as contacts
• Calendar items can be exchanged between different services using the iCalendar format

Pictures, Music, Video, and Documents

• main sync issue with media files such as photos is the amount of space they take up
  • might not be enough space on one device to sync all the files
  • can be issues with file formats
  • not all devices can play or show all formats

Apps

• app will be available across all devices that the account holder signs in on, as long as they are the same platform

Passwords

• iOS and Android will prompt you to save passwords when you sign in to apps and websites
• These passwords are cached securely within the device file system
  • protected by the authentication and encryption mechanisms required to access the device via the lock screen
• can be synchronized across your devices using cloud services