Who decides
The administrator sets the policy in the dashboard, Settings → Periodic sync:
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Sync frequency | Every hour, Every day, Every week or Every month. Default: every day. |
| Allow users to change their sync | If unticked, the frequency is enforced: users can neither change it nor turn it off in the app. |
| Allow user-side deactivation | If ticked, users can turn off the automatic sync of this directory. Has no effect if the previous box is unticked. Manual sync is always possible. |
Changes apply at the phones' next sync.
What the user sees
In the app, tap a directory's card: the detail offers Automatic sync (switch) and Sync frequency, with the four choices Every hour, Every day, Every week, Every month.
| Administrator's settings | In the app |
|---|---|
| Changes not allowed | "These settings are managed by your administrator." The frequency is the administrator's, and the sync stays on. |
| Changes allowed, deactivation not allowed | The user picks their frequency. The switch is locked: "Locked by your administrator." |
| Both allowed | The user picks their frequency and can turn the automatic sync off. |
A change takes effect at the next sync. Each directory has its own settings.
When the sync runs
For each directory, the app compares the date of this phone's last successful sync with the chosen interval (1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days). If the interval has elapsed, it syncs. This check happens:
- when the app opens and each time it returns to the foreground (at most once a minute);
- in the background, when the system launches RingSync's task. The system decides: on iPhone it is typically in idle windows, such as overnight, rather than every hour. The chosen frequency is therefore a minimum wait, never a guaranteed schedule.
If the system restricts the app's background tasks (low power mode, background refresh turned off), only the check on opening remains. Each phone has its own date: a second phone is not held back by the first one's syncs.
A departure in the directory reaches the phone at its next sync, not instantly. Only the removal of an access is handled separately: see Understanding seats and contact limits.
One operation at a time
Manual and automatic sync share the same lock per directory: a second trigger joins the sync in progress. A contact removal (access removed, Remove synced contacts) waits for the sync to finish, and a sync started during a removal waits until it is done.
When the sync does not run
It stops if the organization's access is suspended (trial ended, unpaid invoice) or if the synced contacts limit is reached. See Invoices, payment methods and VAT. For the engine's technical detail, see How sync works.