2sync

Delete behavior

Configure how deletions are handled across platforms

2sync uses a safety-first approach to deletion. By default, deleting items un-syncs them rather than removing them from both platforms. This protects against accidental data loss while giving you control when you need it.

What is the default delete behavior?

When you delete an item in one app:

Delete in external app → Notion

By default:

  • The Notion page is un-synced (disconnected)
  • The page remains in Notion
  • The Sync Status shows "Removed"
  • No data is lost

Delete in Notion → external app

By default:

  • The external item is un-synced
  • The item remains in the external app
  • The link is broken

This prevents a Notion cleanup from accidentally deleting your calendar events or tasks.

How do I enable deletion?

To allow deletions to propagate:

  1. Open your automation
  2. Go to Sync Settings
  3. Find Allow event/task deletion
  4. Enable the toggle
  5. Confirm the warning

Enabling deletion means deleting in one app removes from both. Test with non-critical data first.

Per-direction deletion

Some automations offer directional control:

  • Delete from external app: Removes Notion page when external item deleted
  • Delete from Notion: Removes external item when Notion page deleted

Enable only the direction you need for safer operation.

How does the trigger deletion field work?

For calendar events, map the Trigger deletion field to automatically delete based on a property:

Setup

  1. In Field Mapping, click + Add Field
  2. Select Trigger deletion on [App]
  3. Map to a Checkbox, Status, or Formula property
  4. Confirm the warning

How it works

When the mapped property becomes true/checked/complete:

  • 2sync deletes the item from the external app
  • The Notion page remains (or is deleted, based on settings)

Use case: auto-delete completed events

  1. Map Trigger deletion on Google Calendar to "Done" checkbox
  2. When you check "Done" in Notion
  3. The event is removed from Google Calendar
Field mapping showing Trigger deletion on Google Calendar mapped to the Done checkbox property

When mapping Trigger deletion, all currently-checked items will be deleted on the next sync. Review your database first!

How do I recover deleted data?

In Notion

Deleted pages go to Trash:

  1. Open the sidebar
  2. Click Trash
  3. Find and restore the page

In external apps

Most apps have their own recovery options:

  • Google Calendar: Check "Trash" or "Deleted events"
  • Todoist: View deleted tasks in activity log
  • Gmail: Check Trash folder

2sync doesn't store data

For privacy, 2sync doesn't store your data. Once deleted from both platforms, recovery isn't possible through 2sync.

What is the auto-stop safeguard?

2sync has an automatic stop safeguard when unusual deletion activity is detected:

What triggers it

  • Mass deletion detected
  • Unusually high delete rate
  • Potential sync loop

What happens

  • Automation pauses automatically
  • You receive a notification
  • Manual restart required

To resume

  1. Review what caused the stoppage
  2. Check your filters and settings
  3. Click Resume or Restart in the automation

Bypass option

For legitimate bulk operations, you can enable Bypass Auto-Stop in Advanced sync settings:

  • Use only when you expect mass deletions
  • Re-enable the safeguard after

How do I prevent accidental deletion?

Keep deletion disabled

The safest approach is leaving deletion off. Un-synced items accumulate but nothing is lost.

Use sync status

Map Sync Status to track item states. See Sync item statuses for the full list:

  • Synced: Active link
  • Ignored: Excluded by filter
  • Removed: Source item deleted

Filter Notion views to hide removed items without actually deleting them.

Review before enabling

Before enabling deletion:

  1. Check what would be affected
  2. Test with a few items
  3. Have backups if needed

One-way sync for archives

For archival use cases (email, completed tasks), use one-way sync:

  • External app → Notion only
  • Nothing flows back
  • Deletion in Notion never affects source

What are common deletion issues?

Items keep reappearing

Cause: Deletion disabled, so items un-sync but don't delete.

Fix: Enable deletion if you want items removed from both places. Or use filters to prevent re-sync.

Duplicates after deletion

Cause: Editing recurring events or conflicting automations.

Fix: See Recurring Events guide for handling duplicates.

Deleted wrong items

Cause: Filter changes or bulk operations.

Fix: Check Notion Trash and external app recovery options immediately.

How does deletion work per integration?

Calendar (Google/Outlook)

  • Deleted events un-sync by default
  • Enable deletion to remove from both
  • Trigger deletion available for completion-based removal

Tasks (Todoist/Google Tasks)

  • Deleted tasks un-sync by default
  • Completed task behavior is separate from deletion
  • Trigger deletion can link to completion status

Contacts (Google/Outlook)

Extra cautious by default:

  • Deleting a contact in Notion never affects Google/Outlook
  • Must explicitly enable deletion to propagate
  • Prevents contact list cleanup from wiping phone contacts

Email (Gmail/Outlook)

One-way protection:

  • Email sync is one-way (email app → Notion)
  • Deleting in Notion never affects your inbox
  • Deleting in email un-syncs but keeps Notion page

Related

FAQ

What's the safest deletion setting?

Leave deletion disabled (the default). Items un-sync rather than delete. You can manually clean up Notion pages without affecting external apps.

If I delete an automation, are my items deleted?

No. Deleting an automation just removes the sync link. Your data in both Notion and the external app remains untouched.

Can I recover items deleted through 2sync?

Check Notion's Trash and your external app's recovery options. 2sync doesn't store data, so recovery depends on the platforms themselves.

What triggers the auto-stop safeguard?

Unusual deletion patterns—like mass deletions or rapid delete rates. It's designed to catch sync issues before they cause damage.

How do I clean up un-synced items?

Map Sync Status and create a Notion view filtered to 'Removed' or 'Ignored.' Then delete those items manually in Notion.

If I delete a section from Todoist, will the related Notion page also be deleted?

No. Deleting a Todoist section that is mapped to a section relationship does not delete the corresponding Notion page. You need to delete the page in Notion manually if you want both platforms to reflect the change.

Why are some events not being deleted?

By default, 2sync un-syncs items instead of permanently deleting them when you remove them from either side. This prevents accidental data loss. Un-synced items remain in the app but are no longer tracked by 2sync. To hide them in Notion, add a view filter on the Sync Status property to exclude items with a Removed status.