I’m newish to Linux, wondering if you can point me in the direction of an easy way to sync files across devices (Android, Linux, maybe Windows). Internet advice suggests syncthing but recent articles show it was pulled from Android play store. There’s is a fork listed there but is that going away too, who knows
What would be some easy alternatives? Nextcloud? Thanks in advance.
Syncthing!
I’m using Syncthing on Fedora and Syncthing-Fork on Android.
I’m fairly sure I followed the instructions on this page https://linuxiac.com/how-to-set-up-and-use-syncthing-to-sync-files/ But I will admit some of it doesn’t look familiar.
There is also GSConnect. I haven’t used it so can’t comment further. https://www.howtogeek.com/keep-linux-pc-and-android-phone-synced-with-gsconnect/
Do you use syncthing fork from the play store or fdroid? Or somewhere else?
When I have the choice I’ll always choose F-Droid over Play. I trust them much more. And often if there is a paid version alongside the free version you usually get the paid features on F-Droid for free.
I was using it from Fdroid but switched to Github/Obtainium so I get it direct from the dev. Usually, the updates are faster as well.
I use SyncMe on android to sync stuff from smb shares on my Linux server. Pretty easy and simple.
You almost certainly want Syncthing
The fork is going strong. Other than the occasional sync conflict to manually resolve I find sychthing works well.
Did you get it from the play store or fdroid? Or somewhere else?
I got it from play store. I use it to sync markdown files (Obsidian) works like a charm.
I use obtainium because i heard it recommended over fdroid for security reasons, but I don’t really understand the nuances there to be honest.
syncthing
If you don’t want a “same all the time” sync, and only want one-time transfer, use KDE Connect.
Syncthing is great and it has served me really well. I’m going to dip in and recommend a NAS which is so great for file storage and sharing between devices in this way. My Synology NAS started me on this journey and now I’m getting deeper and deeper into self - hosting and expanding my home server…so be warned that this is a hell of a rabbit hole to jump down.





