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Incremental sync

An incremental sync is a synchronization process that copies only the data that has changed since the previous synchronization between data sets or systems, instead of copying all the data again.

In plain English

This kind of sync updates an existing copy by transferring just the parts that are different. It works from what has changed since the last time the data sets or systems were synchronized, instead of sending everything again.

In context

Here, “Incremental sync” labels a sync mode in which the systems copy only data changed since the last synchronization.

Situation
Connecting integrations, syncing data, and running imports or exports
What it communicates
label for a sync mode that sends only changes

Meaning limits

The term alone does not say how changes are identified or how often the synchronization happens.

Examples

“After the initial copy, an incremental sync transferred only the files that had changed since the previous sync.”

Core meaning

“The server switched from a full copy to an incremental sync between the two data sets.”

In context