Sync modes

Start with a comparison

Before you sync, select the source folder—the folder you want to copy from—and the target folder you want to bring up to date. FileLever compares local folders on your computer (including Google Drive folders synced locally by the Google Drive client) and directly authorized Dropbox folders, then separates the result into clear groups:

Group	What it means
To Sync	Source files missing from the target, plus files whose target copy needs updating.
Target Only	Files in the target but not in the source.
Unchanged	Files that already match in both locations.

Set exclusions before comparing if temporary, generated, or personal files do not belong in the run.

Copy / Update: preserve target-only files

Copy/update adds missing source files and refreshes changed ones. It leaves Target Only files untouched.

Use it for backups, archives, or any target that may contain extra files you want to retain. It is the conservative choice when you want to bring a target up to date without making it an exact replica.

Mirror: make the target match the source

Mirror brings the target in line with the source, then removes Target Only files after copy/update succeeds. Use it only when the target is meant to be a deliberately maintained replica.

Mirror mode is powerful. Review the Target Only group carefully before you confirm the run. Those files may be old exports, archive material, or a sign that you selected the wrong target. For Google Drive client sync folders, cleanup is a local delete that Google’s client later reconciles with your Drive account. For Dropbox targets, mirror uses the direct Dropbox connection you authorized; check the preview and your Dropbox recovery settings before confirming remote cleanup.

Choose the right mode

If you want to…	Choose
Refresh a backup while preserving extra target files	Copy / Update
Keep an archive up to date without removing older material	Copy / Update
Make a maintained replica match the source exactly	Mirror

Explore next

• Folder Sync feature page
• Google Drive workflows
• Dropbox workflows
• Keep media backups in sync on Mac
• Mirror sync vs backup explained
• Safe delete guidance