How to Sync Settings and Extensions in Visual Studio Code Across Devices

Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Visual Studio Code, often referred to as VSCode, is a popular code editor among developers, thanks to its rich set of features and extensions. One valuable feature it offers is the ability to keep your settings and extensions synced across multiple devices. This means that no matter where you are, as long as you are using VSCode, you can maintain the same development environment. This consistency is important for many developers who work from different locations or switch between different devices. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on how to sync settings and extensions across devices using Visual Studio Code.

Introduction to synchronization in Visual Studio Code

Synchronization in Visual Studio Code is a great feature for keeping your editor setup consistent across multiple devices. This feature allows you to seamlessly sync your settings, themes, keybindings, and installed extensions. When you turn on Settings Sync, VSCode uploads your preferences and configuration to your account, which you can then download to any other instance of VSCode you use.

Requirements for setting up synchronization

To use the Settings Sync feature in VSCode, you need to fulfill a few pre-requisites:

• A Microsoft or GitHub account for authentication purposes.
• A stable internet connection ensures that data can be uploaded and downloaded from the server.
• Updated version of Visual Studio Code. Make sure your VSCode application is updated as the synchronization feature may improve with every release.

How to enable synchronization

Step 1: Sign in to your account

To start synchronization, first sign in to a Microsoft or GitHub account. Here's how:

1. Open VSCode.
2. Go to the account icon located at the bottom left corner of the window in the status bar.
3. Click "Sign in to Sync Settings."
4. Select either "Sign in with Microsoft" or "Sign in with GitHub," depending on which account you want to use.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the authentication process.

Step 2: Turn on Settings Sync

To enable sync:

1. After signing in, return to the account icon in the status bar.
2. Click "Turn on settings sync."

Step 3: Customize synchronization preferences

You can decide which aspects of VSCode you want to synchronize:

1. Click the cogwheel icon in the bottom left corner or press Ctrl + , to open Settings.
2. Settings Sync: Configure.
3. Here, you can select the specific items you want to sync: settings, extensions, keybindings, snippets, or UI state.

Access synced settings across devices

Suppose you have set up synchronization on one device and you want to access your synchronized settings on another device; follow these steps:

1. Open Visual Studio Code on your new device.
2. Sign in with the same Microsoft or GitHub account you used previously, using the account icon in the status bar.
3. After you sign in, you'll be asked to turn on settings sync.
4. Accept the prompts to download settings, extensions, and other customized configurations from your account.

Managing conflicts during synchronization

Sometimes conflicts occur if settings have been changed on different devices. VSCode handles this efficiently:

1. When a dispute arises, you will receive a notification with options for dealing with it.
2. You can choose to sync all changes from a specific device or resolve conflicts manually.
3. There is also an option to look at conflicting settings one by one to decide which version to keep.

Best practices for synchronizing in Visual Studio Code

To get the most out of the VSCode sync feature, here are some best practices:

• Update VSCode regularly: Keep your editor up to date to enjoy new syncing features and improvements.
• Customize selectively: Sync only the settings you really need. For example, if you use different machines for different projects, don't sync debug settings.
• Back up manually: Occasionally, export your settings manually as a backup. This is especially important if you make frequent changes to your setup.
• Stay signed in: To ensure continued syncing, log out of your account only when necessary.

How synchronization works behind the scenes

It can be very enlightening to understand how sync works:

• Data storage: When synchronization is turned on, VSCode stores a copy of your settings, key bindings, extension list, and UI state in the cloud. This copy is tied to your account (either Microsoft or GitHub).
• Data transfer: Whenever you make changes to your configuration, VSCode uploads this data to the cloud. Similarly, whenever you log in from another device and turn on synchronization, the data is pulled from the cloud.
• Security: Uploaded data is protected by your account credentials. To further improve security, it is advisable to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Microsoft or GitHub account.

Examples of synced configurations

Here's more detailed information on the types of configurations you can sync:

1. Settings: Preferences that control the behavior of your editor, such as font size, themes, and editor layout.
2. Extensions: Plugins that extend the functionality of VSCode; having the same set of extensions ensures consistent access to tools such as linters or debuggers.
3. Keybindings: Custom shortcuts that allow you to execute commands faster; this is important for developers who rely on efficient navigation within the editor.
4. User Snippets: Custom code snippets tailored to your needs for faster coding.
5. UI state: Visual aspects of the editor such as window size and layout. If you prefer to keep the editor panels in a particular arrangement, syncing UI state will ensure that it stays consistent across devices.

Troubleshoot synchronization issues

Sometimes, you may encounter synchronization issues, but VSCode provides ways to troubleshoot:

• Make sure you're signed in with the correct account associated with settings sync.
• Check your Internet connection as sync relies on cloud data storage.
• When it seems like changes aren't syncing, manually initiate a sync by using F1 and then type Sync: Turn On Sync...
• Review the Output panel for errors. You can access this panel by clicking View → Output and selecting Log (Settings Sync) from the dropdown.
• If all else fails, try signing out and signing back in, then turning sync off and on again.

Conclusion

Synchronization in Visual Studio Code provides a seamless and efficient way to move your customized development environment between devices. By using a Microsoft or GitHub account, you can ensure that your settings, extensions, and other configurations follow you, improving stability and productivity. With careful attention to best practices and troubleshooting methods, you can make the most of the synchronization feature in VSCode, enhancing your coding experience across different workspaces. Happy coding!

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