Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions we were asked most often about Spanning Sync.
- What exactly does Spanning Sync sync?
- Two things: your iCal calendars with Google Calendar, and your Address Book contacts with Google Contacts. Both directions, so an edit made anywhere ends up everywhere.
- Is it a separate application?
- No. Spanning Sync installs as a pane in System Preferences and runs in the background through Mac OS X Sync Services. A small menu-bar item shows sync status and offers Sync Now.
- Do I need a Google account?
- Yes. Any free Gmail account or a Google Apps account works. Google stores the shared copy of your calendars and contacts, which is what lets other Macs and phones see the same data.
- Can I use it on more than one Mac?
- Yes. Install Spanning Sync on each Mac and sign in with the same Google account. One license covered every Mac that synced with that account.
- Does it work with the iPhone?
- Indirectly, and well. The iPhone syncs with Google using Google's own mobile sync; Google then syncs with your Mac through Spanning Sync. Any other phone that can sync with Google works the same way.
- What happens to events that already exist on both sides?
- They are merged. When you pair an iCal calendar with a Google Calendar that both contain events, Spanning Sync combines them into one calendar instead of deleting either set.
- How often does it sync?
- Since version 2.0, right away whenever you change something in iCal or Address Book. A schedule you set in the Options tab also runs periodically as a safety net, and you can always click Sync Now.
- What does not sync?
- iCal to-do items and attachments, because Google Calendar has no place to put them. Those stay on your Mac. Alarms and attendee lists follow each service's own rules.
- Was there a free trial?
- Yes, 15 days of the full product with no credit card. Buying afterwards activated the copy you already had installed.
- How much did it cost?
- $25 per year, or $65 as a one-time purchase that never expired. Both included all features, updates and email support.
- Which versions of Mac OS X are supported?
- The final release, Spanning Sync 3.3, requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later. The original 1.0 release ran on 10.4.8 and later. Every version was a Universal binary for Intel and PowerPC.
- Is Spanning Sync still available?
- No. Sales ended and the sync service was shut down on June 19, 2013. This site remains online so that the documentation, release history and support notes stay available.
- How do I uninstall it?
- Run the uninstaller included with the download. It removes the preference pane, the menu-bar item and the background components while leaving your calendars and contacts untouched. Details are on the download page.
Still have a question? Try the Support Center or the contact page.