Guide

Sync between devices

Choose one of three options in Settings. Online Sync runs through your FlowReader account. A local folder is kept in step by your own file-sync tool. Dropbox sync uses your own Dropbox app.

Before you start

  • Every sync option needs FlowReader Pro and a signed-in FlowReader account.
  • Online Sync also needs a verified email address. It works in the browser extension and in the desktop app.
  • Local folder works in the desktop app and in Chromium-based browsers. In Firefox, use Online Sync or Dropbox.
  • Dropbox works only in the browser extension, in Chromium and Firefox, through a Dropbox app you create yourself. The desktop app does not offer it.
  • A device uses one sync option at a time.

Steps

Online Sync

  1. Open Settings, then Account & sync. Under Account, choose Sign in or create account.
  2. Sign in or create an account. In the extension and the desktop app, the password is typed on a secure FlowReader page in your browser. FlowReader shows a code first, and that page must show the same code before you enter your password.
  3. A new account gets a verification email. Open its link, then choose I’ve verified my email in FlowReader.
  4. Under Sync, choose Turn on sync. If Pro isn’t active yet, start a trial or activate Pro under Plan on the same page first.
  5. On each of your other devices, sign in with the same account and choose Turn on sync.

Local folder

  1. Open Settings, then Account & sync. Under Sync, open Other ways to sync and choose Local folder.
  2. Pick a folder that iCloud Drive, Google Drive, a network share or another file-sync tool keeps in step between your devices.
  3. On each other device, choose Local folder and pick the same folder.

FlowReader keeps the library there as one file, flowreader_sync.db. Choose Sync now to sync at once instead of waiting for the next automatic pass.

Dropbox

  1. In the browser extension, open Settings, then Account & sync. Under Sync, open Other ways to sync and choose Dropbox. The dialog Use your own Dropbox app opens.
  2. At dropbox.com/developers/apps, choose Create app, select Scoped access and App folder, name the app and create it.
  3. On the Permissions tab, enable files.metadata.read, files.content.write and files.content.read, then choose Submit.
  4. On the Settings tab, copy the App key, and add the address the FlowReader dialog shows under OAuth 2 – Redirect URIs.
  5. Paste the key into Dropbox app key, choose Continue and allow access in the Dropbox window.
  6. Repeat on your other browsers with the same app key. If a browser shows a different redirect address, add that one to the same Dropbox app too.

What you should see

The Sync section says Up to date, names the connected option and offers Sync now and Turn off sync on this device. When Online Sync has finished its first pass, FlowReader shows “Your library is synced and Online Sync is now enabled on this device.”

Your items, reading positions, highlights, notes, collections and settings appear on the other device after its next sync. Online Sync keeps devices in step almost in real time. A folder or Dropbox catches up on its next pass.

What each option sends where

None of the sync options is end-to-end encrypted.

Online Sync stores your library on FlowReader’s service. It’s protected by your account sign-in, encryption in transit (TLS) and per-user rules on the server. It’s also the only option that carries assistant conversations, tasks and skills, and Monitors need it.

A local folder or Dropbox holds the library as an ordinary, unencrypted file, protected by whatever protects that folder or Dropbox account. No FlowReader server is involved.

Common problems

  • “Online Sync is Pro” or “Activate FlowReader Pro before enabling Online Sync”

    Cause: Pro is not active on the account you are signed in with.

    Fix: Start a trial or activate Pro under Plan in Settings › Account & sync, then choose Turn on sync on the same page.

  • “Verify your email before Online Sync is enabled.”

    Cause: The account’s email address has not been confirmed yet.

    Fix: Open the link in the verification email, then choose I’ve verified my email. No email? Check spam and promotions, then choose Resend verification email.

  • “This device is linked to a different Online Sync account.”

    Cause: Online Sync on this device was set up with another account. FlowReader stops rather than mix two accounts’ libraries.

    Fix: Sign in with the account this device was set up with. To move the device to another account, contact support before you reset anything.

  • “Folder access was cleared when FlowReader last closed.”

    Cause: Chromium cleared FlowReader’s access to the folder when FlowReader last closed, and the access has to be granted again.

    Fix: Choose Reconnect folder. If that does not work, choose Re-select folder and pick the same folder.

  • “Firefox local-folder sync requires the FlowReader native host.”

    Cause: Firefox reaches a folder only through the native host, which is not installed.

    Fix: Use Online Sync or Dropbox in Firefox, or the Local folder option in the desktop app or a Chromium browser.

  • FlowReader asks for a passphrase when you connect a folder or Dropbox

    Cause: The folder or Dropbox app already holds a sync file that an earlier setup encrypted with a passphrase.

    Fix: Enter that passphrase. “Incorrect passphrase for existing sync data” means it is not the right one. Without it, choose an empty folder or a new Dropbox app instead.

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