How does 2sync work?
Learn how 2sync keeps Notion in sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, and Todoist. Covers setup through automatic two-way updates
2sync keeps Notion and your external apps in sync automatically. Once you connect your accounts, select what to sync, and map fields, 2sync checks both sides every 2–5 minutes, detects changes, and applies updates in both directions without any manual effort.
How does the sync process work?
Setup takes five steps. Once configured, syncing runs on autopilot.
Step 1: Connect your accounts
Link Notion and at least one external app (Google Calendar, Outlook, Todoist, or others). 2sync uses OAuth 2.0 so your passwords are never shared.
You only need to connect each account once. All automations reuse the same connection.
Step 2: Choose what to sync
Select the specific calendars, task lists, contact groups, or email labels you want to sync. You pick a Notion database as the destination.
Step 3: Map fields
Define how properties translate between apps. Map event titles to Notion page names, due dates to date properties, priorities to select options. 2sync suggests mappings automatically, but you can customize every field.
Step 4: Set preferences
Configure sync direction (two-way or one-way), filters to limit what syncs, and default values for new items. Choose your sync time window based on your plan.
Step 5: Activate and let it run
Click create and your automation starts working. No further action needed.
What happens during each sync cycle?
Every sync cycle follows the same pattern:
- 2sync reads data from both Notion and the connected app
- It compares items to detect new, updated, or deleted entries
- Changes are applied to the opposite side based on your field mapping and direction settings
- Data is discarded from memory after processing
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Fetch | Reads current data from both platforms |
| Compare | Detects new, changed, or deleted items |
| Apply | Pushes updates to the other side |
| Discard | Clears all data from memory |
Is 2sync real-time?
No. 2sync runs on a schedule, not in real-time. The frequency depends on your plan:
| Plan | Sync frequency |
|---|---|
| Solo | Every 5 minutes |
| Premium | Every 3 minutes |
| Pro | Every 2 minutes |
You can also click Sync Now on any automation to trigger an immediate cycle.
Most users find that 2-5 minute intervals feel near-instant for everyday workflows. Real-time sync is unnecessary for calendar events and tasks that don't change by the second.
What data does 2sync store?
2sync processes data transiently in memory and discards it after each cycle. It stores only connection metadata, field mappings, and sync timestamps. Your events, tasks, contacts, and emails are never written to disk.
Learn more about data handling in Security & Privacy.
Does 2sync require Notion?
Currently, every automation connects one Notion database to one external app. You cannot sync two non-Notion tools directly with each other yet.
2sync is built around Notion as the central hub:
- One-to-one mapping: Each automation links one Notion database to one external tool.
- Single sync journey: An item syncs between Notion and one app per automation. It cannot hop from App A through Notion to App B in a single automation.
- Multiple automations: To connect several tools, create separate automations. Each one syncs independently with its own Notion database (or the same one).
We are working on a new version that will allow syncing tools without Notion. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when it launches.
In the meantime, you can create multiple automations that share the same Notion database, effectively using Notion as a hub that stays in sync with all your tools.
What should I do next?
Now that you understand how syncing works:
Related
- Two-way vs one-way sync for choosing the right sync direction
- Filters for controlling which items sync
- Activity logs for monitoring sync history
- Conflict resolution for handling simultaneous edits
- Rate limits & retries for understanding sync reliability
FAQ
How long does the first sync take?
The initial sync typically completes within 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your database and the number of items. Subsequent cycles are faster because only changes are processed.
Can I sync multiple apps at the same time?
Yes. Each automation connects one Notion database to one app. Create multiple automations to sync different apps. The number of active automations depends on your plan.
What happens if both sides change the same item?
2sync applies updates in both directions based on your field-level sync direction settings. Changes to different fields both apply without conflict. To minimize issues, try to edit items in one place at a time.
Does 2sync work when my computer is off?
Yes. 2sync runs on cloud servers, not your device. Syncing continues 24/7 regardless of whether your computer is on or off.
Can I pause syncing temporarily?
Yes. Open your automation and click Pause. Items stop syncing until you resume. Existing data in both apps remains unchanged.
Can I sync two tools without using Notion?
Not yet, but we are working on a new version that will allow syncing tools without Notion. Currently, each automation connects one Notion database to one external app. Subscribe to our newsletter at 2sync.com to be the first to know when direct tool-to-tool sync launches.