How do you keep a Serato library in sync across two computers?
Serato has no cloud sync for your library, so a main laptop and a backup have to be kept in step by hand or with a file-sync tool. The whole job comes down to two rules: move the _Serato_ folder and the music together, and keep the file paths identical on both machines. Get either wrong and the second computer fills with orange missing tracks. Here is how to do it reliably, plus the setup that avoids syncing altogether.
Sync a Serato library between two computers
- Know what to syncYour library is the _Serato_ folder in your Music directory (crates, cues, beatgrids, database) plus the music files themselves. Both have to move together.
- Match paths and username on both machinesSerato stores file locations, so the music must sit at the same path on each computer, which means the same username and folder structure. Mismatched paths turn everything orange.
- Pick a sync methodUse a manual copy for an occasional update, a folder-sync tool like Resilio Sync or FreeFileSync for two-way changes, or a cloud drive if you keep libraries small.
- Quit Serato before every syncSerato writes the database on exit and locks files while open. Always close it on both machines before copying or syncing, or you will corrupt the database.
- Sync the _Serato_ folder and the music togetherCopy both, keeping filenames identical. Never rename music files in transit, because the crate entries point at the exact names.
- Verify on the second computerOpen Serato on the other machine and confirm nothing is orange and cues and beatgrids are present. Fix any drift before you rely on it at a gig.
Why this is fiddly: Serato stores file paths
Serato does not keep your music inside its library. It keeps a database of pointers to files at specific locations, plus crates, cue points and beatgrids. Copy only the music to a second machine and the crates are gone; copy only the _Serato_ folder and every track is orange because the files are not where the database expects them. Both have to travel, to the same place.
That is also why the username matters. A path like /Users/alex/Music/... on one Mac and /Users/dj/Music/... on the other are different locations to Serato, even if the folders look the same. Matching the username and folder layout is what keeps the pointers valid.
Three ways to actually do it
Manual copy (occasional)
Quit Serato on both machines. Copy the _Serato_ folder from your Music directory and your music folders to the second computer at the identical path. Simple, reliable, and fine if you only update every so often. This is the same operation as a backup, so the steps in how to back up your Serato library apply directly.
Folder-sync tool (two-way)
Tools like Resilio Sync or FreeFileSync watch the _Serato_ folder and your music folders and mirror changes both directions, so a cue you set on the main laptop shows up on the backup. This is the closest thing to real sync, but only works if paths match and Serato is closed during the sync.
Cloud drive (small libraries)
iCloud Drive, Dropbox or Google Drive can hold the library, but only if you keep it small and let it fully download before opening Serato. Online-only files show as missing, and syncing mid-session risks a corrupt database.
The setup that skips syncing entirely
If you can, put the whole library, the _Serato_ folder and the music, on an external SSD and plug it into whichever computer you are using. Because everything lives on one drive at one path, there is nothing to sync and nothing goes orange. The only cost is remembering the drive and treating it as precious, which means still keeping a backup. Moving your library onto a drive follows the same process as moving a Serato library to a new Mac.
Keep both libraries clean, not just in sync
Syncing a messy library just gives you the same mess on two machines, and duplicates or missing files can multiply when paths differ slightly between computers. It is worth getting one library clean before you mirror it, and re-checking after a sync that nothing drifted. Crate Cleaner reads your Serato library directly and flags duplicates, missing files and other issues so both machines start and stay consistent. It runs locally on macOS with a free plan and no card required. If you are cleaning up first, start with how to clean up your Serato library. If paths drift and tracks turn orange on the second machine, Library Repair relinks them.
Try Crate Cleaner free → · See pricing →
FAQ
Can Serato sync a library across computers by itself? No. Serato has no built-in cloud sync for your library. You keep two machines in step by copying the _Serato_ folder and your music between them, or by using a third-party file-sync tool that watches those folders.
Can I use iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive? You can, if the library is small and you let it fully download before opening Serato. Cloud drives that only keep files online-only will show as missing, and syncing while Serato is open can corrupt the database.
Why do my cue points not carry across? Usually because the file paths differ between machines, or because the music synced but the _Serato_ folder did not. Cues and beatgrids live in both the file tags and the database, so both the files and the _Serato_ folder have to match.
What is the simplest reliable setup? An external SSD that you plug into either computer. Because the library and music live on the same drive at the same path, there is nothing to sync and nothing to go orange. The trade-off is remembering the drive.
Start both machines from a clean library
Crate Cleaner flags duplicates, missing files and corrupt tracks so you sync a library worth copying. Free plan on your real library.