Choosing the Right Rclone Command: Copy, Sync, or Move
Last updated on 2025-02-18 | Edit this page
Estimated time: 25 minutes
Overview
Questions
- What is the difference between copy, sync and move?
- When should you choose one command over the others?
Objectives
- Be able to pick the most appropriate command to mvoe file(s)
- Determine which command is most appropriate for different file management scenarios.
Copy, Sync, or Move
When managing your files with rclone, you have three primary commands: copy, sync, and move. Each command handles your data differently, so it’s important to know their unique behaviors to choose the right one for your task.
Copy
The copy command duplicates files from the source to the
destination. It compares files (by size, modification time, or MD5
checksum) and transfers only those that are new or have changed. Copying
does not delete any files at the destination, making it safe when you
simply want to update or add files.
Syntax:
Notes:
- Only the contents of a directory are copied — not the directory itself.
- Use the
copytocommand for copying single files. - If the destination path does not exist, it will be created.
Sync
The sync command makes the destination an exact mirror of the source. It copies new or updated files and deletes files in the destination that are not present in the source. Use sync when you need both locations to be identical, but be cautious as it can remove files from the destination.
Syntax:
Move
The move command transfers files from the source to the destination and then deletes them from the source after a successful transfer. This is useful when you want to relocate files rather than keep copies in both places.
Important Note: Since this can cause data loss, test first with the –dry-run or the –interactive/-i flag.
Syntax:
Reference: https://rclone.org/commands/rclone_move/
Key Points
- Different ways to move or copy files: copy, sync, move
- Understand the difference between copy and sync