How to Migrate a GoodSync License to a New Device – GoodSync

Use this guide when replacing, rebuilding, or migrating a device running GoodSync.

Common examples include:

Replacing an old computer with a new computer.
Performing a hardware refresh or device swap.
Reinstalling or reimaging Windows or macOS.
Moving GoodSync jobs to another device.
Replacing a failed or inaccessible device.

Important: GoodSync licenses are assigned to devices, and the GoodSync platform installed on the device must match the license being assigned.

These steps apply when moving a license between devices within the same GoodSync Account. To move a license to a different GoodSync Account, see How to transfer a license to another GoodSync Account.

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Before You Begin

Before starting the migration, review the GoodSync platform and license currently assigned to the original device.

GoodSync provides additional information about matching installed platforms with licenses here: GoodSync Account License Understanding

You can also sign in to your GoodSync Account to review your devices and available licenses: GoodSync Account Login

From the GoodSync Account, review the Devices and Licenses sections.

The Platform and Licenses values for the device should correspond with the GoodSync product installed on that device.

Before starting, make sure you have access to:

The GoodSync Account that holds the license.
The account password.
The configured OTP method or account email address.
The original device, when it is still available.

When possible, complete the job export and license review before removing, rebuilding, or decommissioning the original device.

Step 1: Export Your GoodSync Jobs

On the original device, export the existing GoodSync jobs before uninstalling GoodSync, rebuilding the operating system, or replacing the device.

Before exporting, stop any running jobs and temporarily disable automatic job settings, schedules, or startup triggers.

Follow the GoodSync job export instructions: How can I export/import my jobs?

Save the exported job file somewhere that will remain accessible from the replacement device, such as a network location, USB drive, or other secure storage location.

Exporting the jobs allows the GoodSync job configuration and job settings to be transferred to the replacement installation.

Account Sync may also be used to transfer Jobs, Groups, Program Options, and Server Accounts between devices. For more information, see How can I transfer jobs and settings between computers?

Use one job-transfer method and review the transferred configuration before running any job.

Step 2: Review the Existing Device and License

Confirm the following information:

Device name.
Installed GoodSync platform.
Assigned GoodSync license.
GoodSync Account being used.

If the license is still assigned to the original device and will be needed on the replacement device, open the Licenses section of the GoodSync Account.

Under Assigned Device Licenses, select UnAssign for the applicable license. This releases the license from the old device and returns it to Available Device Licenses so it can be assigned to the replacement device.

For more information, see How to Assign and Unassign Device Licenses.

Important: If you only need to release a license from the old device, use UnAssign.

Do not use Delete under Available Device Licenses when the goal is only to move the license to another device.

Step 3: Prepare the Old Device

If the original device is still available, keep automatic jobs disabled while the migration is being completed.

Do not allow the same jobs to run automatically from both the old and replacement devices during the migration.

If the original device is being permanently retired or rebuilt, GoodSync can be uninstalled after the required jobs and settings have been exported.

If prompted during uninstall, and the device is being permanently retired or rebuilt, select the option to remove GoodSync personal data.

The old device entry can be removed from the GoodSync Account after the replacement device has been activated and the migrated jobs have been tested.

UnAssign the license before deleting the old device from the GoodSync Account.

Step 4: Install the Correct GoodSync Platform

Download and install the latest GoodSync version that matches the license being assigned to the replacement device.

GoodSync installations may use different platforms depending on the license purchased and how the device is being used.

Common GoodSync platforms include:

GoodSync Personal for devices using a Personal license.
GoodSync Workstation for business workstations and client computers using a Workstation license.
GoodSync Server for devices using a Server license.

The latest GoodSync installers are available from the GoodSync Download page. Note: Business versions are available under the "Business Download Options" link on the download page. GoodSync Download

Select the appropriate GoodSync installer for the operating system and license being used on the replacement device.

The GoodSync platform installed on the replacement device should match the license that will be assigned to that device.

For example, a Personal license should be used with the applicable Personal installation, a Workstation license with GoodSync Workstation, and a Server license with GoodSync Server.

Installing a GoodSync platform that does not match the assigned license may prevent the license from being applied or activated correctly.

If GoodSync is installed through a software deployment or endpoint-management tool, confirm that the deployment package also matches the required GoodSync platform.

For more information, see Resolving GoodSync License Issues Caused by Automated Deployment Tools.

Step 5: Connect and Activate the Replacement Device

After GoodSync has been installed, connect the replacement device to the GoodSync Account containing the applicable license.

Windows

Open GoodSync and go to: Tools > Account Setup

macOS

Open GoodSync and go to: GoodSync > Account Setup

Enter the email address or UserID and password for the GoodSync Account containing the license.

Enter or confirm a clear device name for the replacement device when prompted.

All new devices being added to a GoodSync Account require OTP authorization, even if no OTP method is configured on the account.

If an OTP method is configured for the GoodSync Account, use the configured method to authorize the replacement device.
If no OTP method is configured, use the verification code sent to the email address associated with the GoodSync Account.

For more information, see How to set up two-factor authentication.

After completing Account Setup, sign in to the GoodSync Account and open the Devices section.

Locate the replacement device and confirm that the correct license has been assigned.

If the device does not yet have a license, assign the appropriate available license to the replacement device.

If needed, activation can also be completed from GoodSync by going to: Help > Activate License.

Confirm that the Platform and Licenses values match before continuing.

If the replacement device does not have internet access, Enterprise customers should follow the applicable offline activation process: GoodSync online/offline activation for Windows computers.

Step 6: Import Your GoodSync Jobs

After GoodSync has been installed and activated, import the jobs exported from the original device.

Follow the GoodSync job import instructions: How can I export/import my jobs?

If Account Sync was used instead, complete Account Sync on the replacement device and review the transferred configuration before running the jobs.

Do not immediately run the imported or transferred jobs.

Open each job and verify the source, destination, and job settings first.

Pay particular attention to:

Left and right folder paths.
Drive letters.
Windows or macOS usernames.
Network share paths.
NAS locations.
Server names.
Cloud account connections.
GoodSync Connect locations.
External drive or mounted volume paths.
Job direction.
Job options.

Reconnect or reauthorize cloud accounts, network shares, NAS devices, or other file systems when credentials are required.

Paths on the replacement device may be different from those used on the original device and may need to be updated before the first Analyze or Sync.

Do not delete the GoodSync State File as part of a normal device migration. The State File contains synchronization history used by GoodSync to determine changes between the two sides of a job.

Step 7: Verify the Replacement Device and Jobs

Confirm the replacement device displays the correct:

Device name.
Platform.
Assigned license.

The Platform and Licenses values should match the GoodSync product installed on the replacement device.

After verifying the device and reviewing the imported job configuration, open each migrated job and run Analyze.

Carefully review the proposed changes before allowing the first Sync to run.

Confirm that:

The correct source is selected.
The correct destination is selected.
The synchronization direction is correct.
The expected files and folders are being detected.
No unexpected deletions or overwrites are proposed.

Always run Analyze and review the proposed changes before performing the first Sync on the replacement device.

After the jobs have been successfully tested, re-enable the required automatic job settings, schedules, and startup triggers on the replacement device.

If the old device is being permanently retired, it can now be removed from the GoodSync Account under Devices.

If the Old Device Is Unavailable

A GoodSync license can still be moved if the original device has failed, was replaced, or is no longer accessible.

Sign in to the GoodSync Account.
Open Licenses and select UnAssign next to the unavailable device.
Confirm that the license returns to Available Device Licenses.
Install the matching GoodSync platform on the replacement device.
Complete Account Setup and OTP authorization.
Assign or activate the available license on the replacement device.
After the replacement device is working correctly, remove the old device entry from the Devices section if it is no longer needed.

Jobs and settings can only be restored if they were previously exported, transferred using Account Sync, or otherwise backed up.

If no job configuration is available from the original device, the jobs will need to be recreated on the replacement device.

Troubleshooting

The license is not available on the replacement device

Confirm that the license was UnAssigned from the correct original device.
Verify that the license appears under Available Device Licenses.
Confirm that the replacement device is connected to the same GoodSync Account that owns the license.

The installed platform does not match the license

Confirm whether the device requires GoodSync Personal, Workstation, or Server.
Install the GoodSync platform that matches the assigned license.
If GoodSync is deployed automatically, confirm that the deployment tool is not reinstalling an incorrect package.
Review the Platform and Licenses values under the GoodSync Account.

The replacement device does not appear under Devices

Complete Account Setup on the replacement device.
Confirm that the correct GoodSync Account was entered.
Complete the required OTP authorization.
Confirm that the device can communicate with GoodSync services.

The OTP code is not received

Use the authentication method configured for the GoodSync Account.
If email verification is being used, check the inbox and spam or junk folders for the account email address.

Both the old and replacement devices need to remain active

A single device license cannot remain assigned to both devices.
An additional available license is required if GoodSync will continue to be used on both devices.

Important

A device migration does not guarantee that all file and folder paths will remain identical.

Changes to drive letters, operating system usernames, computer names, server names, network shares, mounted volumes, external drives, NAS locations, cloud connections, or other storage locations may require updates to imported GoodSync jobs.

Always review the job configuration and the results of the first Analyze before allowing a migrated job to synchronize.

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