Canary Mail Cross-Device Sync and Licensing | What Syncs - Help

What Is Cross-Device Sync in Canary Mail? (Quick Answer)

Canary Mail cross-device sync keeps your email accounts and selected settings consistent across Mac, iPhone, Windows, and Android when you sign into the same Canary Mail account.

What syncs:

Supported email accounts (when signed into the same Canary Mail account on all devices)
Selected preferences confirmed in the official sync documentation

What may not sync:

Device-specific UI and display preferences
Platform-level system settings
Any item not explicitly listed in the official sync docs - treat as device-specific

If Pro is not showing on a device: Confirm you are signed into the same Canary Mail account on all devices, then run Restore Purchase from app Settings.

If settings are not syncing: Check the cloud sync troubleshooting guide and the platform-specific sync guide for your device.

To escalate: Send logs to support directly from the app with a description of what is not syncing and on which devices.

What Cross-Device Sync Means in Canary Mail

Cross-device sync in Canary Mail allows supported email accounts and selected preferences to remain consistent when you use the app on multiple platforms. Sign into the same Canary Mail account on macOS, iOS, Windows, or Android and sync activates automatically for supported data.

This is especially useful if you work across a Mac and iPhone, or between Mac and Windows. The goal is to eliminate repeated manual setup and maintain a continuous email experience across all your devices.

Not every setting syncs. Some preferences are device-specific by design, either due to platform differences or intentional product decisions. Always refer to the official sync documentation to confirm what is and is not included for your platform.

This page reflects Canary Mail's official help documentation as of March 2026. For the most current sync behaviour, always refer to the linked official help articles.

Full sync scope documentation:

What is synced and what is not synced across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android

Platform setup guides:

What Syncs in Canary Mail vs What Stays Device-Specific

The following is based on Canary Mail's official sync documentation. Items not listed in the official docs should be treated as device-specific until confirmed.

Syncs Across Devices (when supported)	May Be Device-Specific
Email accounts (when signed into the same Canary Mail account)	Platform UI layout and display preferences
Preferences explicitly listed in the official sync documentation	System-level notification settings
Account settings confirmed in Canary Mail sync help articles	Features unique to a specific operating system
-	Any item not listed in the official sync docs - treat as device-specific

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For the authoritative and most current list: What is Synced and What is Not Synced across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android

Canary Mail Licensing: App Store, Restore, and Transfer Explained

Licensing in Canary Mail depends on where you purchased and which account you used. Here is how to navigate the most common situations.

Where did you purchase?

Purchased via the App Store (iOS or Mac App Store): Restore using that store's built-in restore flow.
Not sure which applies: Check the pricing page for current plan structure.

How to restore your Canary Mail purchase

If Pro is not showing on a device:

Open Canary Mail on the affected device.
Confirm you are signed into the exact same Canary Mail account used at purchase.
Go to Settings and run Restore Purchase.
If Pro still does not appear, follow the full guide: Unable to Sync Canary Mail Pro Purchase

How to transfer your license to a new device

If you are moving to a new Mac or device, follow the documented transfer process: How can I transfer my license?

Common licensing confusion and the correct action

Bought on one device but Pro not showing elsewhere : Confirm same Canary Mail account, then run Restore Purchase.
Upgraded but new device still shows free plan : Sign in with the same account first, then run Restore Purchase.
Unsure what plan you are on : Check the official pricing page
Want context on plan changes : See: Canary Mail Pricing Updated

For plan structure and current pricing, the official pricing page is always the source of truth

Canary Mail Sync and Licensing: Common Issues and Fixes

My purchase is not syncing

Confirm you are signed into the same Canary Mail account used at purchase.
Run Restore Purchase from app Settings.
Full guide: Unable to Sync Canary Mail Pro Purchase

My settings are not syncing

Confirm Cross-Device Sync is enabled in Settings.
Verify you are signed into the same Canary Mail account on all devices.
Review: My accounts and/or settings do not sync across my devices
Check which items are confirmed to sync: What is Synced and What is Not Synced across devices

One device shows Pro, another does not

Confirm account consistency - you must use the exact same Canary Mail account on all devices.
Run Restore Purchase on the device not showing Pro.
Guide: Unable to Sync Canary Mail Pro Purchase

Cross-device sync not working

Verify you are signed into the same Canary Mail account on every device.
Check the platform-specific sync guide for the affected device.
Follow cloud sync troubleshooting: Cloud Sync Not Working

How to Set Up Canary Mail Across Your Devices (By Use Case)

Solo Mac + iPhone

Best for: Users who want consistent email access between their Mac and iPhone without repeated manual setup.

Install Canary Mail on macOS and on your iPhone or iPad from the App Store.
Sign into the same Canary Mail account on both devices.
Enable Cross-Device Sync in Settings on both platforms.
Verify your accounts appear consistently on each device.

Platform guides: How to use cross-device sync on macOS | How to use cross-device sync on iOS

Cross-Platform Mac + Windows

Best for: Users running both macOS and Windows who need accounts and supported settings in sync without manual re-configuration on each device.

On your Mac, install Canary Mail and sign into your Canary Mail account.
Add your email accounts and enable Sync Across Devices in Settings.
On Windows, install Canary Mail and open Cross-Device Sync.
Generate a QR code from your Mac and import it on Windows to sync accounts and supported settings.

Important: Do not manually add accounts on Windows when using QR sync.

Platform guides: How to use cross-device sync on macOS | How to use cross-device sync on Windows

Android Users

Best for: Users adding an Android device to an existing Canary Mail setup.

Install Canary Mail on your Android device.
Sign into the same Canary Mail account used on your other devices.
Enable Cross-Device Sync and follow the Android-specific setup steps.

Platform guide: How to use cross-device sync on Android

Privacy-First Setup (PGP User)

Best for: Users who rely on end-to-end encryption and need PGP settings correctly configured per platform before going live.

Configure your email accounts on your primary device.
Set up and confirm PGP settings per platform where applicable.
Review the official sync docs to confirm which preferences sync and which are device-specific.
Test sending and receiving encrypted email on each device before relying on it.

Reference: What is Synced and What is Not Synced across devices

Small Team Using Shared Workflows

Best for: Small teams who manage shared email workflows and need a consistent setup across all team members and devices.

Each team member installs Canary Mail on their devices and signs into their own Canary Mail account.
Each user enables Cross-Device Sync so their individual setup stays consistent across their own devices.
Set up shared email workflows using Shared Inbox, which is built for teams managing email together.

Support and Escalation

If troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, send logs to support using the official guide: How to Email Logs

When contacting support, include:

Your platform and Canary Mail version
A description of what is not syncing and on which devices it occurs
Whether the issue is with accounts, settings, or Pro status not appearing
Steps you have already tried
Logs attached from the app using the guide above

Send to: hello@canarymail.io

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Canary Mail sync email accounts across devices?

Yes. Supported email accounts sync across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android when you are signed into the same Canary Mail account on each device.

Why are my Canary Mail settings not syncing?

Some preferences are device-specific by design. Confirm Cross-Device Sync is enabled, you are signed into the same Canary Mail account, and check the official sync guide to see which settings are confirmed for your platform.

How do I restore my Canary Mail purchase?

Open Canary Mail, confirm you are signed into the same Canary Mail account used at purchase, then go to Settings and run Restore Purchase. Still not showing? See: Unable to Sync Canary Mail Pro Purchase.

Can I transfer my Canary Mail license to a new Mac?

Yes. Follow the steps in the official guide: How can I transfer my license?

What should I do if one device is Pro and another is not?

Confirm you are signed into the same Canary Mail account and run the restore process. If needed, review cloud sync troubleshooting.

What settings sync in Canary Mail across Mac, iPhone, and Windows?

The confirmed list is in the official sync documentation: What is Synced and What is Not Synced across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Anything not listed there should be treated as device-specific.

Does cross-device sync work between Mac and Windows?

Yes. Sign into the same Canary Mail account on both devices and use the QR code method to sync. Full steps: How to use cross-device sync on Windows.

Does my Canary Mail subscription work on all my devices?

Yes. Your subscription is tied to your Canary Mail account. Sign in on each device and run Restore Purchase if Pro is not showing. For plan details, see official pricing page.

Cross-Device Sync and Licensing in Canary Mail