Sync automated assets between Hubspot accounts

Working with a Hubspot standard sandbox lets you safely test changes before they reach your live portal. To keep both environments aligned, you can sync automated emails, forms, lists, and workflows from your production account into a connected standard sandbox account.

This guide explains what the sync tool can and cannot do, how to prepare both accounts, and the exact steps to copy assets while avoiding conflicts.

What the Hubspot sandbox sync tool can do

The sync feature is designed to help you reuse automation across a production Hubspot account and a linked standard sandbox account. It focuses on selected asset types so you can mirror core automation logic for testing.

You can sync these assets from production to sandbox:

• Automated marketing emails
• Forms
• Active and static lists
• Workflows

Only one direction is supported. Assets always sync from the production account to the standard sandbox account, not the other way around.

Limitations when syncing Hubspot assets

Before running a sync, understand what is not copied or supported so you can plan your testing in the sandbox environment.

Assets and data that do not sync in Hubspot

• No contacts, companies, deals, or other CRM records
• No analytics data such as opens, clicks, or submissions
• No content from other tools like landing pages, blogs, or website pages
• No workflow history or past enrollment logs

The sync tool is meant for configuration, not data migration. You will need to manually create test records in your standard sandbox account.

Conditions for syncing Hubspot workflows

Workflows have extra limitations:

• Only workflows that are turned off in production can be synced.
• Only workflows that are not archived are included.
• If a synced workflow is already in the sandbox, the tool updates it instead of creating a duplicate.

Review any active workflows in your Hubspot production account and pause them if they must be synced.

Prepare your Hubspot accounts for sync

Preparation ensures a clean sync and reduces issues such as missing dependencies or naming conflicts.

Confirm the correct standard sandbox in Hubspot

1. Sign in to your production Hubspot account.
2. Open the account switcher in the top navigation and confirm that a standard sandbox is connected.
3. If no standard sandbox exists, create one from your account settings before you attempt a sync.

Only a standard sandbox account can receive synced assets. Developer sandboxes are not supported.

Check required user permissions in Hubspot

Your user must have permissions to view and edit the assets that will be synced. At minimum, confirm that you can:

• Edit marketing emails
• Edit forms
• View and edit lists
• View and edit workflows
• Access the standard sandbox account through the account switcher

If you do not see either account or cannot open the sync settings, contact your Hubspot super admin to adjust permissions.

How to sync assets from Hubspot production to sandbox

After both accounts are confirmed, use the automated sync interface to copy your assets.

Step 1: Open the Hubspot sandbox sync tool

1. Log in to your production Hubspot account.
2. Click the settings icon in the main navigation.
3. In the left sidebar, navigate to the section for Sandboxes or Standard sandbox management.
4. Select the connected standard sandbox you want to sync to.
5. Open the option for Sync assets or Sync settings for that sandbox.

You will see a panel or page listing eligible asset types that can be synced.

Step 2: Choose which Hubspot assets to sync

Within the sync tool, assets are grouped by type. You can pick all or some for each category.

Select your assets:

1. Automated emails
   • Choose specific automated emails or select all available emails.
   • Confirm that each email is published and not archived.
2. Forms
   • Select the forms used in your workflows or nurture programs.
   • Note that any associated pages are not synced; you will need to rebuild them in the sandbox.
3. Lists
   • Check both active and static lists.
   • Only list definitions sync, not list membership.
4. Workflows
   • Choose only workflows that are turned off in production.
   • Review dependencies such as lists, forms, and emails to ensure they are also selected for sync.

The interface will usually highlight dependencies, but it is best practice to manually confirm that all related assets are selected.

Step 3: Review and start the Hubspot sync

Before you run the sync, review the summary screen.

Typical items to check:

• The correct standard sandbox is selected as the target.
• The number of emails, forms, lists, and workflows being synced.
• Any warnings about missing dependencies or unsupported assets.

When ready, click the button to Start sync or Run sync. The tool will begin copying assets from your production Hubspot account to the sandbox in the background.

What happens in the Hubspot sandbox after sync

Once the sync completes, review the standard sandbox to confirm that assets behave as expected.

Validate synced Hubspot emails, forms, and lists

In the sandbox account:

• Open the marketing email tool and verify that synced automated emails appear with the correct name and content.
• Check the forms tool to confirm field mappings and options match production.
• Inspect lists to be sure filters and segmentation rules are accurate.

Remember that list memberships and analytics are not copied, so counts may be zero until you add test records.

Test synced Hubspot workflows safely

For workflows in the standard sandbox:

• Confirm that enrollment triggers reference the correct synced lists or forms.
• Review each action step, including email sends, property updates, and delays.
• Use test contacts to enroll in workflows and observe the behavior.

This testing allows you to adjust automation logic without affecting your live Hubspot production account.

Maintain alignment between Hubspot production and sandbox

As you update automation in production, regularly re-run the sync to keep your standard sandbox in sync.

Best practices include:

• Sync changes after major workflow or email updates.
• Use consistent naming conventions across both accounts.
• Document which workflows are actively tested in the sandbox.

If you need broader RevOps or CRM support around your Hubspot setup, you can also work with a specialist consultancy such as Consultevo to design scalable processes.

Learn more about the official Hubspot sandbox sync feature

For the most accurate and detailed reference, review the official documentation on syncing automated emails, forms, lists, and workflows to a standard sandbox account. You can find it on the Hubspot Knowledge Base at this support article.

Using this feature correctly keeps your Hubspot production and sandbox accounts closely aligned, so you can test with confidence before deploying critical automation to your live environment.

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