2-way Sync for non-InstaWP Staging Users

InstaWP’s 2-way sync feature lets you merge content changes between your main site and staging environment offered by your hosting provider. With two-way sync, you can sync content updates, such as new pages or edits, between live and staging sites in both directions. Please note that changes made directly to the files or database are outside the plugin’s scope and will not be synchronized.

The 2-way sync feature is for InstaWP Connect users. Users who are not using the InstaWP Staging platform can still enjoy it with the InstaWP Connect Plugin.

In this documentation, we will explore how two sites can sync with each other without using the InstaWP hosting platform, with the following:

Step 1: Add InstaWP Connect to your Main Site
Step 2: Add InstaWP Connect to your Staging Site
Step 3: Link your Staging Site to the Main Site
Step 4: 2-way Sync
Example

👉 To do this, you'll need to create a user account on InstaWP.

Add InstaWP Connect to your Main Site

Let's connect with the InstaWP Connect Plugin first. In this process, the main site and the staging site's identity will be:

Main Site: Site 1 - https://site.sayandatta.co.in/
Staging Site: Site 2 - https://stage.site.sayandatta.co.in/

Step 1: Go to your main site's admin panel and click Plugins > Add Plugin.



Step 2: Search for InstaWP Connect in the search box and click Install Now to install the plugin. Then, click Activate.



Note: If you're using InstaWP Live to host your live site, ignore the first step. Your site is already an advanced managed site with the InstaWP Connect plugin pre-installed.

Step 3: Once the plugin is activated go to Tools > InstaWP. Click on Connect with InsraWP button.



Step 4: Now, click Approve to accept the request to connect with your InstaWP account.



Once connected successfully, it'll display on the admin panel dashboard.

Add InstaWP Connect to your Staging Site

Now, connect the staging site with InstaWP Connect following the same process.

Link your Staging Site to the Main Site

Step 1: Now, go to Manage from your InstaWP account and click on the horizontal ellipsis of your main site. Click Staging Sites from the options.



Step 2: A sidebar will open from the right panel. Click on the Link Staging Site button. Another pop-up will appear now.



Step 3: Locate your staging site link from the pop up box. Select the staging site and click the Link button.



Once done, a confirmation pop up will appear and your site will be listed on the staging sites list.



Now, go back to your main site's admin panel and make a refresh from Staging Sites option. It'll show your staging site on the panel.



Then, go back to you staging site's admin panel and reload it. It'll show up as a staging site.

2-Way Sync

Click Sync (Beta) and turn on the toggle switch for both ( Main Site and Staging Site) of the sites.



Now, your sites are connected for 2-way sync.

Example

Step 1: Lets make a change on the staging site. For example, add a new page or edit a post.



Step 2: Now, go to Tools > InstaWP > Sync (Beta). You'll get the list of items which remains sync. You can white Sync All button to sync all of them in one go or select item and Sync Selected ones.



Step 3: After selecting, a pop up will appear. Click Sync from the pop up and it'll start the process.



Once done, it'll show Completed for the synced items.



Now, go to your main site and look for the changes you made on staging.



💡 Did you know - You can enjoy 2-way Sync feature from the InstaWP hosted platform, too. Learn more about 2-way Sync for InstaWP hosted site.

Updated on: 14/05/2025