How to sync and transfer files with rsync

Updated 7/20/2026

rsync is the standard tool for copying files efficiently: it transfers only the differences, so the second sync is much faster.

Local copy

rsync -av /source/ /destination/

-a preserves permissions and dates, -v shows progress.

rsync -avz /source/ root@SERVER_IP:/destination/

-z compresses data in transit, useful on slow connections.

rsync -av --delete /source/ /destination/

Careful: --delete removes from the destination any files no longer in the source.

rsync -av --dry-run /source/ /destination/

Combined with a mounted Backup Box, rsync becomes a simple, robust backup system, see mounting a Backup Box and automated backups with cron.

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