Title: FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF
Author: Shane Muirhead
Published: <strong>July 2, 2026</strong>
Last modified: July 2, 2026

---

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# FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF

 By [Shane Muirhead](https://profiles.wordpress.org/shanemuir/)

[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf.1.0.0.zip)

 * [Details](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/#description)
 * [Reviews](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/#reviews)
 *  [Installation](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/#installation)
 * [Development](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/#developers)

 [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/)

## Description

FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF detects ACF field-group JSON files that do not yet 
exist in the WordPress database or have a newer modified timestamp. While a sync
is pending, it:

 * Shows an administrator notice with a link to ACF’s sync screen.
 * Disables the Update button on ACF field-group edit screens.
 * Blocks normal field-group saves on the server.

Private Local JSON files are ignored. Detection is cached briefly and runs only 
in the WordPress administrator. The plugin works with ACF and ACF PRO, and does 
not include ACF.

FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF is an independent compatibility plugin and is not affiliated
with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the owners of ACF or ACF PRO.

The plugin makes no remote requests, collects no telemetry, and contains no upsells.

## Installation

 1. Upload the plugin directory to `/wp-content/plugins/`, or install the plugin ZIP
    through Plugins > Add New.
 2. Activate ACF or ACF PRO.
 3. Activate FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF.
 4. When a warning appears, follow its link and sync the pending field groups in ACF.

## FAQ

### What counts as a pending sync?

A non-private `group_` Local JSON item is pending when its key does not exist as
an `acf-field-group` post in the database, or when its `modified` timestamp is newer
than the database post’s modified timestamp.

### Can lock behaviour be customized?

Yes. Developers can use these filters:

 * `fieldlock_sync_guard_for_acf_should_lock` changes the final lock decision.
 * `fieldlock_sync_guard_for_acf_sync_url` changes the notice link.
 * `fieldlock_sync_guard_for_acf_cache_lifetime` changes the transient lifetime 
   in seconds.
 * `fieldlock_sync_guard_for_acf_capability` changes the capability used for notices
   and locks.

Example:

    ```
    add_filter( 'fieldlock_sync_guard_for_acf_cache_lifetime', function () { return 30; } );
    ```

## Reviews

There are no reviews for this plugin.

## Contributors & Developers

“FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF” is open source software. The following people have
contributed to this plugin.

Contributors

 *   [ Shane Muirhead ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/shanemuir/)

[Translate “FieldLock Sync Guard for ACF” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf)

### Interested in development?

[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/),
check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/),
or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/)
by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).

## Changelog

#### 1.0.0

 * Initial release.

## Meta

 *  Version **1.0.0**
 *  Last updated **3 days ago**
 *  Active installations **Fewer than 10**
 *  WordPress version ** 7.0 or higher **
 *  Tested up to **7.0**
 *  PHP version ** 8.2 or higher **
 *  Language
 * [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/)
 * Tags
 * [acf](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/acf/)[advanced custom fields](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/advanced-custom-fields/)
   [field groups](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/field-groups/)[sync](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/sync/)
 *  [Advanced View](https://vec.wordpress.org/plugins/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/advanced/)

## Ratings

No reviews have been submitted yet.

[Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/reviews/#new-post)

[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/reviews/)

## Contributors

 *   [ Shane Muirhead ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/shanemuir/)

## Support

Got something to say? Need help?

 [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/fieldlock-sync-guard-for-acf/)