These instructions cover setting up OmniFocus sync for the first time using Omni Sync Server. If you previously were syncing using another WebDAV provider or Bonjour, please follow these instructions instead.
Create an Omni Account
If you don’t already have a free Omni Account to use with Omni Sync Server, you can sign up for one here.
When you receive the confirmation email (don’t forget to check your Spam/Bulk folder), click the Finish Registration link to finish setting up your account.
Starting New
If you are new to OmniFocus and have not yet set up the app on any of your devices, then you can choose to start syncing during the initial set up process. In OmniFocus 3 for Mac, you do this by choosing Keep Data in the Cloud from the Database Setup prompt. In OmniFocus 3 for iOS, choose Set Up Sync, which is the default option during the first-run process.
Starting with an Existing Database
If you’ve just been using OmniFocus without syncing, but would now like to start syncing with multiple devices, it is important that you set up sync in OmniFocus on the device you’ve been using first. Here is how to do that:
OmniFocus 3 for Mac
- Choose OmniFocus > Settings, then click Sync.
- Select Omni Sync Server as the sync method.
- Enter in your Omni Account name into the Account field.
- Click Sync Now.
- Enter your Omni Account password when prompted.
OmniFocus 3 for iOS
- Tap the Settings
button on the Home Screen. - Tap Sync under the Database section.
- Tap Sign In or Create New Omni Account.
- Enter your Omni Account name.
- Tap Sync.
- Enter your Omni Account password when prompted.
OmniFocus will then sync and push the existing data on your device up to your account.
Configure Other Devices
Once your data is on the server, you can configure other devices to sync as well. If you’re opening OmniFocus for the first time on a new device, just choose to set up syncing during the first-run experience.
If, however, you already set up OmniFocus on your other device(s) without syncing, repeat the steps above to tell this copy of OmniFocus to start syncing. Then, when this copy of OmniFocus attempts to sync you will then get a prompt asking “Replace your database and start syncing?”. On a Mac, click Sync , and on an iOS device, tap Keep Sync Database. This will replace the local data in this copy of OmniFocus with the data that was already synced to your account from your other copy of OmniFocus.
