---
title: Desktop sync app
path: user-guide/desktop-app
status: published
---

The ScaiDrive desktop app keeps a folder on your computer in two-way sync with a share on the server. Edit a file locally, it appears on the server seconds later — and vice versa. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Installing

Download the installer for your platform from your organization's ScaiDrive download page:

- **Windows** — `.msi` installer
- **macOS** — `.dmg`, drag to Applications
- **Linux** — `.deb`, `.rpm`, or AppImage

After install, launch **ScaiDrive** and sign in with your organization SSO. The app opens a browser tab to complete the sign-in flow; once authenticated, you're returned to the app.

## Choosing what to sync

After signing in, the **Add share** dialog lists every share you have access to. For each share you want to sync:

1. Pick a **local folder** (defaults to `~/ScaiDrive/<share-name>`).
2. Choose **everything** or **selective sync** (a subset of subfolders).
3. Click **Add**.

The first sync downloads all files in the share to your chosen folder. After that, changes flow both ways automatically.

You can sync multiple shares to different local folders; each is managed independently.

## Tray icon

The ScaiDrive icon lives in your menu bar (macOS) or system tray (Windows / Linux). The icon shows status:

| Icon state | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solid | Idle, everything in sync |
| Animated | Sync in progress |
| Badge | Conflict or error needs attention |

Click the icon for quick actions: open sync folder, pause/resume, view recent activity, settings, sign out.

## Pause and resume

Click the tray icon → **Pause sync** to stop transferring (useful on a slow connection or before a big upload). **Resume** picks up where it left off — no full re-scan.

## Selective sync

Open **Settings → Sync** to change which subfolders of a share are kept locally. Files in unsynced folders stay on the server; if you change your mind, tick the folder again and the missing files download.

## Conflicts

If you and a colleague edit the same file at the same time, the server detects the conflict. By default ScaiDrive keeps both versions: yours becomes `report (conflict 2026-05-12).docx` next to the original. You can change the policy in **Settings → Sync** (last-writer-wins, keep-both, manual review). See [Sync model](/docs/scaidrive/core-concepts/sync-model) for the technical detail.

## File-on-demand (Windows / macOS)

On Windows 10+ and macOS 12+ the desktop app integrates with the OS file provider. Files in your sync folder appear in Explorer or Finder with a cloud icon; opening one downloads it on demand. Right-click → **Make available offline** to keep it cached locally; **Free up space** removes the local copy but keeps the placeholder.

## Camera upload

In **Settings → Backup** you can select a local folder (e.g., a camera-import folder) and a destination share. New files added there are uploaded automatically.

## Search

The desktop app has a built-in search window (tray menu → **Search**). It hits the same keyword and semantic search as the web client — but you can launch it from anywhere with a keyboard shortcut.

## Signing out

Tray menu → **Sign out**. Your local sync folder stays on disk; sync stops until you sign back in.

## What's next

- [Mobile apps](/docs/scaidrive/user-guide/mobile-apps).
- [Sync model](/docs/scaidrive/core-concepts/sync-model) — what's happening under the hood.