This guide explains how to move an active GoodSync license from an old device to a new device using the same GoodSync Account. It also explains how to transfer your GoodSync jobs and safely confirm that they work on the new device.
Important: These steps move 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.
- Before you begin
- Step 1: Prepare the old device
- Step 2: Install GoodSync on the new device
- Step 3: Release the license from the old device
- Step 4: Add and authorize the new device
- Step 5: Activate the license
- Step 6: Restore and verify your jobs
- Step 7: Remove the old device
- If the old device is unavailable
- Troubleshooting
Before you begin
Before starting the transfer, confirm that you have:
- The email address or UserID and password for the GoodSync Account that holds the license.
- Access to the account's configured OTP method or email address.
- The name of the old device as it appears under the account's "Devices" and "Licenses" tabs.
- A backup of the jobs and settings from the old device, if the device is still available.
Keep the old device available until the jobs have been successfully tested on the new device. Do not allow the same jobs to run from both devices during the migration.
Step 1: Prepare the old device
- Open GoodSync on the old device.
- Stop any running jobs and temporarily disable all automatic job settings, schedules, and startup triggers.
- Export the jobs to a safe location:
- Windows: Select "Tools" > "Export All Jobs."
- macOS: Select "GoodSync" > "Export All Jobs."
- Save the exported job file somewhere that can be accessed from the new device.
For complete instructions, see How can I export/import my jobs?
You may also use Account Sync to transfer Jobs, Groups, Program Options, and Server Accounts. For details, see How can I transfer jobs and settings between computers?
Use one job-transfer method and review the imported configuration before running any job.
Step 2: Install GoodSync on the new device
- Go to the GoodSync Download page.
- Download and install the latest GoodSync edition that matches both the new device's operating system and the subscription license:
- GoodSync Personal for a personal-use device with a GS-Personal license.
- GoodSync Workstation for a business workstation with a Workstation license.
- GoodSync Server for Windows Server with a Server license.
The latest GoodSync Server installer for Windows Server can also be downloaded directly from GoodSync Server for Windows.
The installed GoodSync edition must match the license type. Installing the wrong edition may prevent the new device from activating. For help checking the license and installed platform, see GoodSync Account License Understanding.
If GoodSync is installed through a software deployment or endpoint-management tool, confirm that the configured package matches the assigned license before continuing. See Resolving GoodSync License Issues Caused by Automated Deployment Tools.
Step 3: Release the license from the old device
- Log in to the GoodSync Account that holds the license.
- Select "Licenses" from the menu on the left.
- Locate the license under "Assigned Device Licenses."
- Click "UnAssign" next to the old device.
- Confirm the change by clicking "YES."
- Verify that the license now appears under "Available Device Licenses."
Do not click "Delete" under "Available Device Licenses." The "UnAssign" option releases the license from the old device so it can be used again. The "Delete" option removes the license group from the current GoodSync Account.
For more information, see How to Assign and Unassign Device Licenses.
Step 4: Add and authorize the new device
- Open GoodSync on the new device.
- Open GoodSync Account Setup:
- Windows: Select "Tools" > "GoodSync Account Setup."
- macOS: Select "GoodSync" > "GoodSync Account Setup."
- Enter the email address or UserID and password for the GoodSync Account that holds the license.
- Enter or confirm a clear, unique name for the new device.
- Complete the one-time password verification when prompted.
All new devices added to a GoodSync Account require one-time password (OTP) authorization, even if no OTP method was manually configured on the account.
- If the account has an OTP method configured, use that method, such as an authenticator app, email, or SMS.
- If no OTP method was 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.
Step 5: Activate the license
- In GoodSync on the new device, select "Help" > "Activate License."
- Review the displayed GoodSync Account and license type, then continue with the activation.
- If activation is not offered in the application, log in to your GoodSync Account, open the "Devices" tab, and click "Activate" next to the new device.
- Return to the "Licenses" tab and confirm that the license appears under "Assigned Device Licenses" with the new device name.
If the new device does not have internet access, do not use the standard online steps. Enterprise customers should follow GoodSync online/offline activation for Windows computers.
Step 6: Restore and verify your jobs
- Import the previously exported jobs:
- Windows: Select "Tools" > "Import Job List."
- macOS: Select "GoodSync" > "Import Job List."
- If Account Sync was used instead, perform Account Sync on the new device and carefully review the proposed changes before accepting them.
- Review every job and confirm that its left and right folders point to the correct locations on the new device.
- Reconnect or reauthorize any cloud accounts, network shares, NAS devices, or other file systems that require credentials.
- Confirm that the Windows service account or macOS user running GoodSync has permission to access all job folders.
- Run "Analyze" first and review all proposed copies, changes, and deletions before selecting "Sync."
- Run each job manually and confirm that it completes as expected.
- After successful testing, re-enable the required automatic job settings and schedules on the new device.
Do not delete the GoodSync State File as part of a normal license or device migration. The State File helps GoodSync retain the history used to determine synchronization changes.
Step 7: Remove the old device
After the new device has been activated and all jobs have been tested:
- Confirm that automatic jobs remain disabled on the old device.
- Log in to your GoodSync Account and select "Devices."
- Locate the old device and click "Delete."
- Uninstall GoodSync from the old device if it will no longer be used.
Unassign the license before deleting the old device. Deleting a device entry is a cleanup step and should not be used as a substitute for releasing its assigned license.
If the old device is unavailable
You can still move the license if the old device has failed, was replaced, or is no longer accessible:
- Log in to your GoodSync Account.
- Open "Licenses" and click "UnAssign" next to the unavailable device.
- Confirm that the license returns to "Available Device Licenses."
- Install GoodSync on the new device and complete Account Setup, OTP authorization, and license activation.
- After activation, open "Devices" and delete the old device entry.
Jobs and settings can only be restored if they were previously exported or saved using Account Sync. Otherwise, the jobs must be recreated on the new device.
Troubleshooting
The license is not available on the new device
- Confirm that the license was unassigned from the correct old device.
- Verify that the license appears under "Available Device Licenses."
- Confirm that the new device is signed in to the same GoodSync Account that holds the license.
The installed platform does not match the license
- If software is deployed automatically, stop or correct the deployment package before reinstalling GoodSync.
- Download and install the edition that matches the Personal, Workstation, or Server license.
- Return to the account's "Devices" tab and confirm that the "Platform" and "Licenses" values match.
The new device is not listed under "Devices"
- Complete GoodSync Account Setup on the new device.
- Confirm that the device can communicate with GoodSync services.
- Complete the OTP authorization prompt.
The OTP is not received or cannot be entered
- Use the authentication method configured for the GoodSync Account.
- If email is used, check the inbox and spam or junk folder for the account email address.
- An account administrator can review the new device under "Devices" and use the available authorization option when appropriate.
Both the old and new devices must remain active
- A single device license cannot remain assigned to both devices.
- Purchase or assign an additional available license before running GoodSync on both devices.