Does Otterdock Sync Between Macs? Local Groups and Files
Learn what Otterdock stores locally, whether groups sync through iCloud, and what to expect when using or moving to another Mac.
No. Otterdock does not currently sync group definitions, settings, or item lists between Macs through iCloud or another Otterdock cloud service. A group you create on one Mac should be treated as local to that Mac; installing Otterdock on another Mac does not make the group appear there automatically.
What stays on each Mac?
Otterdock saves its group configuration locally. A widget reads the selected group from the Otterdock installation on that same Mac; the shared app container used by the app and its widget extension is not iCloud sync. This applies to the group and its item entries, such as app, file, folder, and web-link references. Otterdock does not host a cloud copy of the files you add.
Will the items themselves be available on a second Mac?
That depends on the item, not on Otterdock. An app needs to be installed on the other Mac. A file or folder path may point to a location that exists only on the original Mac. If the file is independently stored in iCloud Drive or another sync service, that service may make the file available, but Otterdock still does not sync the group entry that points to it. Web links can be opened on either Mac, while each browser and its signed-in state are managed separately.
How should I use Otterdock on two Macs?
Plan to create and maintain groups separately on each Mac. Re-create an entry only after checking that its app is installed or its target file or folder is reachable on that computer. If you are moving to a new Mac and need to preserve an existing setup, do not assume there is a supported automatic migration or export/import flow; check current Otterdock support before relying on one. Avoid copying internal support files by hand.
The Direct and Mac App Store editions also differ in Dock access and system permissions, but neither changes the cross-Mac sync behavior described here. See the Otterdock edition comparison if you are choosing which version to install.
Does “stored locally” describe all network activity?
No. This article describes where Otterdock keeps group configuration and whether it syncs that configuration. It is not a blanket statement that the app never uses a network connection. For the app’s current analytics and data-use disclosures, read the Otterdock privacy policy.
Source note: Group storage and widget behavior were checked against Otterdock’s current implementation on September 25, 2026. Product features can change; confirm the current support information before planning a device migration.