🔄 Sync Features
Two-Way Contact Sync
This feature is still in beta, if you run into any issues or have feedback, please reach out to us at feedback@getdex.com
How it works?
- When you first connect your device to the Dex Sync Server, it downloads all your existing contacts.
- Any changes you make on your devices are automatically synced to your Dex account.
- Any changes made on Dex are automatically synced to your device.
- This happens in real-time or when your device checks for updates.
What gets synced?
- New contacts you create
- Deleted contacts will be removed from all your devices.
- Archived contacts will be removed from all your devices but can be restored anytime from https://getdex.com/appv3/archive.
- Name
- Description
- Emails & Phone Numbers
- Company & Job Title
- Addresses
- Social profiles
- Profile images
- Birthday
- Website URL
Limitations
Dex Contacts does not sync certain types of contact information. The following are the currently known limitations:- Dex only supports syncing a single website URL per contact; if multiple URLs are present, only the first one will be synced.
- Limited support for social media profile links.
- Special dates, such as anniversaries, are not supported and will not be synced to Dex.
- Custom fields will not be synced to Dex.
Get Started
This feature is being gradually rolled out to all users. To gain early access and help shape its development, you are invited to join the Dex Beta users group. Simply send an email to feedback@getdex.com to request enrollment.
1
Navigate to the Sync & Integrations page under Settings
From the home page, click on the dropdown icon at the top-right corner and choose Sync & Integrations.
2
Scroll down to the “Two-way Contact Sync (Card DAV)” and click “Setup contact sync
3
A modal will appear displaying your credentials to connect to the Sync Server, along with detailed platform-specific instructions.
Conflict Resolution
To ensure your contact data stays consistent across devices, an automatic conflict resolution process is used. Here’s how it works:- If the same contact is edited on multiple devices, the most recent update will take precedence and overwrite older changes.
- This is seamlessly handled in the background to prevent duplicate contacts and maintain data accuracy across all your devices.
Reliability
Dex is built to keep your contacts safe and in sync — no matter what.- Syncing is reliable and secure, so your updates are always protected.
- If your device goes offline, any changes you make will automatically sync once you’re back online.
- Your contacts are securely backed up on Dex’s servers, so you never lose important information.
Privacy & Security
Your contact information is safe with Dex.- All syncing is encrypted to keep your data private.
- Only you have access to your contacts—no one else can see them.
- Your information stays protected throughout the entire sync process.
FAQ
Is sync supported on all devices and operating systems?
Is sync supported on all devices and operating systems?
Two-way contact sync works with most major platforms that support CardDAV, including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Some third-party apps may have limited support. For the best experience, follow the platform-specific setup instructions provided in the Dex app.
Why don’t I see my contacts?
Why don’t I see my contacts?
After setting up sync, your device may take a few minutes to download your Dex contacts — especially if you have a large number of them. This is normal. Once the sync is complete, your contacts will appear in your device’s address book. If they don’t show up after a while, double-check that the account is enabled in your contact settings and that you followed all setup steps correctly.
Sync seems delayed – is that normal?
Sync seems delayed – is that normal?
Yes, that’s expected. Most devices sync contacts periodically, not in real time. So, after you make changes in Dex or on your device, it may take a little while for the updates to appear. The timing depends on your device’s sync schedule and your network connection. A stable internet connection helps ensure sync happens smoothly, but some delay is normal. If you don’t see updates after a reasonable time, try refreshing your contacts.
Do I need to keep the Dex app open for sync to work?
Do I need to keep the Dex app open for sync to work?
No — once sync is set up, your device handles syncing in the background using the CardDAV protocol. You don’t need to have the Dex app open for it to work.
How do I turn off contact sync?
How do I turn off contact sync?
You can disable sync by removing the Dex (CardDAV) account from your device’s contact settings. On most platforms, this can be done by going to Settings > Accounts > [Your Dex Sync Account] > Remove Account. This will stop future syncing and remove Dex contacts from your device’s address book.
Will changes I make on my phone overwrite my Dex contacts?
Will changes I make on my phone overwrite my Dex contacts?
Yes — changes made on your phone (like editing a contact’s name or number) will sync back to Dex. This is part of the two-way sync feature. If you prefer not to sync changes from your device, we recommend keeping sync disabled.
What happens if I delete a contact on my device?
What happens if I delete a contact on my device?
If you delete a synced Dex contact from your device, it will also be deleted in Dex. Be careful when removing contacts — the sync is two-way and changes are reflected across all connected platforms.
Can I choose which contacts to sync?
Can I choose which contacts to sync?
At this time, Dex syncs your full contact list — selective syncing isn’t supported yet. However, you can manage contact groups or tags within Dex to stay organized.
Can I sync contacts to more than one device?
Can I sync contacts to more than one device?
Yes — you can set up contact sync on multiple devices using the same Dex sync credentials. All connected devices will stay in sync with your Dex contacts.
How often does sync happen? Can I force a manual sync?
How often does sync happen? Can I force a manual sync?
Most devices perform sync automatically at regular intervals, for example every 30 minutes. The exact timing depends on the device and OS. Some platforms allow you to manually trigger a sync through settings — for example, by refreshing your contacts or using the “Sync now” option under account settings.
How can I make sure contacts are syncing with Dex using Google Contacts and DAVx⁵?
How can I make sure contacts are syncing with Dex using Google Contacts and DAVx⁵?
If you’re using Google Contacts along with DAVx⁵ to sync with Dex, here’s how to make sure everything is working correctly:
- Open the Google Contacts app on your phone.
- Tap “Accounts” (below the search bar).
- Select the account that represents Dex Contacts (the name may vary depending on your setup).
- Make sure this account is selected as the default when creating new contacts.
- This ensures any new contact you add is saved to your Dex account and will sync automatically. Note: Sync doesn’t happen in real time — but it will run periodically in the background and keep your contacts up to date. You can also refer to DAVx⁵ troubleshooting guide: Click here to learn more!