Central place to store capcut edits/videos when using different machines

Hi,

You are aiming for a smooth workflow between your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro when working on CapCut videos, and file syncing isn't working as expected. Let us figure out how to best manage your CapCut projects across your devices.

Based on your description, it appears CapCut's "Auto upload" feature may not be designed for the seamless, real-time cross-device project syncing you are hoping for, especially with the desktop version. It is more likely intended for cloud storage and potentially some level of backup, but not for consistently working on the same project files across different machines in a way that avoids errors and feature limitations.

Here is a breakdown of how to approach this and achieve a more seamless workflow:

Understanding CapCut's auto upload and its limitations:

While CapCut does offer an "Auto upload" feature, it is important to understand what it likely does and doesn't do in the context of desktop use and cross-device workflows:

• Functionality: "Auto upload" in CapCut backs up your project files and media assets to CapCut's cloud storage. This is helpful for:
  • Project Backup: Protecting your work from local data loss on a single machine.
  • Accessing Projects on the Same Device After Reinstall/Reset: If you need to reinstall CapCut or reset your device, you can likely retrieve your projects from the cloud.
• Likely Limitations for Cross-Device Use: "Auto upload" is less likely to provide:
  • Real-time, Seamless Syncing: It doesn't continuously monitor for changes and instantly sync project files between devices like a dedicated cloud syncing service (e.g., iCloud Drive, Dropbox).
  • Guaranteed Feature Parity: Certain functionalities are specifically tied to the desktop application and not fully transferable or compatible when opening projects on a different machine, even if files are "uploaded."
  • Automatic File Consolidation Across Machines: It is unlikely to automatically merge or consolidate project data from two separate CapCut installations into a single, unified data folder.

Recommended workflow for seamless cross-device CapCut projects:

To achieve a more reliable and seamless workflow, it's best to use a dedicated cloud storage service to manage your CapCut project files manually. Here's how you can set this up:

1. Choose a Cloud Storage Service: Select a cloud storage service that you use on both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro. Good options include:

   • iCloud Drive: If you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, iCloud Drive is built-in and easy to use on Macs.
   • Google Drive: A widely compatible and popular option, especially if you use other Google services.
   • Dropbox: A well-established cloud storage service known for its reliable syncing.
   • Other Services: OneDrive, Box, etc., can also work.

2. Verifying and setting up Auto-Sync in CapCut Desktop:

   It's important to ensure auto-sync is correctly enabled on both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro. Here's how to check and set it up:

   • Launch CapCut on your Mac.
   • Open a new project (or an existing one you want to sync).
   • Access Settings: Look for a menu option (often in the top left corner or represented by a gear icon). Click on "Settings."
   • Go to "Draft": Within the Settings menu, find and select the "Draft" option.
   • Enable "Auto sync with Cloud": You should see an option labeled "Auto sync with Cloud" or similar, possibly with a toggle switch next to it. Ensure this toggle is switched ON.
   • Sign In: To use auto-sync, you must be signed in to your CapCut account. This is usually done via TikTok, Facebook, Google, or another linked service. Make sure you are logged into the same account on both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro.
   • Select Cloud Space: When you enable auto-sync for the first time, you might be prompted to select a cloud space to upload your projects to. Choose your account's cloud space.
   • Storage Space: Ensure you have enough storage space in your CapCut cloud account. If you're running out of space, you might need to upgrade to CapCut Pro for more storage or manage your existing projects by deleting older ones.
   • Save Changes: After enabling auto-sync and selecting your cloud space, click "Save" or "Apply" to confirm the settings.

   Repeat these steps on both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro. Make absolutely certain you are logged in with the identical CapCut account on both machines and that auto-sync is enabled in the Draft settings on both.

3. Locate Your CapCut Project Folder: You need to find where CapCut stores your project files and media assets on your Mac. While the exact location can sometimes vary slightly based on CapCut versions, a common location is within your user Library:

   • Open Finder.
   • Press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog.
   • Type ~/Library and press Go. This opens your user Library folder (which is usually hidden).
   • Within the Library folder, look for folders named something like Application Support or similar, and then try to find a folder related to CapCut or ByteDance (the developer of CapCut).
   • The exact folder structure inside might vary, but you're looking for the folder that contains your CapCut project data and media files. It might be named something like CapCut, drafts, projects, or similar.

4. Move or Symlink Your CapCut Project Folder to Cloud Storage:

   • Option A (Moving - Simpler but uses cloud storage space):

     • Copy the entire CapCut project folder you located in step 2 into your chosen cloud storage folder (e.g., your iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox folder).
     • On both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro, delete the original CapCut project folder from its original location (e.g., in ~/Library/Application Support).
     • On both Macs, create a shortcut or alias to the CapCut project folder that is now located in your cloud storage and place this shortcut in the original location where CapCut expects to find its project folder (e.g., ~/Library/Application Support). This "tricks" CapCut into using the cloud-synced folder.

   • Option B (Symlinking - More advanced, keeps original folder structure, uses cloud storage space):

     • Move the original CapCut project folder to your cloud storage folder.
     • Use the Terminal application on both Macs to create a symbolic link (symlink). A symlink acts like a pointer, making it appear to CapCut that the project folder is still in its original location, even though it's actually in your cloud storage.
     • The command would be something like:
       Bash

       ln -s "/path/to/your/cloud/storage/CapCutProjectFolder" "~/Library/Application Support/CapCutProjectFolder"
       

       (Replace "/path/to/your/cloud/storage/CapCutProjectFolder" with the actual path to the CapCut folder in your cloud storage, and ~/Library/Application Support/CapCutProjectFolder with the original path you found in step 2).

5. Workflow for working on projects:

   • Always open and save CapCut projects from the cloud-synced folder. Since you've either moved or symlinked the CapCut project folder to your cloud storage, CapCut should automatically be working directly within the synced location.
   • Let Cloud Storage Sync: After you finish working on a project on one Mac, ensure that your cloud storage service has fully synced the changes before you open the project on the other Mac. Cloud services usually have an indicator to show sync status.
   • Close CapCut on one machine before opening on the other: To avoid potential file conflicts or data corruption, it's a good practice to close CapCut on one Mac completely before opening and working on the same project on your other Mac.

If auto-upload isn't functioning as expected, consider manually uploading projects to the cloud. This ensures that all necessary files are accessible from any device. Alternatively, use an external hard drive to store and transfer project files between devices. This method ensures that you're working with the most recent versions of your projects.

For a video guide on syncing CapCut projects across devices, you might find this tutorial helpful:

Important points to note:

• Cloud Storage Space: Be mindful of your cloud storage limits, especially if you work with large video files. You might need to upgrade your cloud storage plan if your CapCut projects take up a lot of space.
• Very large or complex projects with lots of high-resolution media can take a significant time to upload and download, even with auto-sync. Be patient, and allow sufficient time for projects to fully synchronize, especially when initially uploading a large project.
• Internet Connection: A stable and reasonably fast internet connection is essential for cloud syncing to work effectively. You'll need to be online to work on cloud-synced CapCut projects.
• "Desktop-Only Features" Errors: Even with cloud syncing, you might still encounter errors related to "desktop-only features." This is because some functionalities might be inherently tied to the desktop application's capabilities and not fully transferable across devices, even if the project files are synced. You may need to complete certain tasks on your Mac Mini if they rely on these specific features.
• Ensure both your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro meet the minimum system requirements for CapCut Desktop. Outdated operating systems or insufficient hardware can sometimes cause unexpected errors or feature limitations. Keep both macOS versions and CapCut Desktop updated to the latest versions.
• If you are working on the same project simultaneously on both Macs, it could lead to conflicts in syncing. It's best to work on a project on one machine, allow it to sync fully, and then open it on the other machine. Avoid editing the same project concurrently on two devices.
• Testing: After setting up cloud syncing, thoroughly test the workflow by creating a small test project, editing it on one Mac, letting it sync, and then opening and continuing to edit it on your other Mac to ensure everything is working as expected.
• If you are still encountering issues, try completely closing and restarting the CapCut application on both Macs. Sometimes, restarting your Macs themselves can also resolve temporary software glitches that might be interfering with syncing.

In summary, while CapCut's built-in "Auto upload" might not be sufficient for truly seamless cross-device project editing, using a dedicated cloud storage service to manage your CapCut project folder and media assets manually offers a much more reliable solution for working on your videos across your Mac Mini and MacBook Pro. Remember to choose a cloud service you're comfortable with, carefully locate your CapCut project folder, and follow the steps to move or symlink it to your cloud storage.