⭐ Key FeaturesAnd we need your help to go on for 13 more years. Support us with a Plus membership and enjoy an ad-free reading experience and get a Linux eBook for free.On Android, I had to rely on a third-party Warpinator client since there isn’t an official app yet. Connecting new devices can sometimes be a bit finnicky, requiring some troubleshooting before everything works smoothly, so keep that in mind.When you want to share just a few selected photos, it is easier to select on your phone and share them.Now, that I have presented these options, it is up to you to explore and decide the tool you would like to use for sharing files from your phone to your Linux system.LocalSend is an open source app built for seamless, encrypted file sharing across devices over the same local network. It supports Linux, Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS, making it one of the most versatile cross-platform tools in this list.
Table of Contents
1. Packet: No non-sense, simple transfer
⭐ Key FeaturesKDE Connect is a great fit for Linux distros that come with KDE Plasma, but it’s also usable on others. What’s cool is that it comes packed with features like file transfer, battery info, clipboard sharing, and more. You can turn each feature on or off so you’re not stuck with stuff you don’t need.⭐ Key FeaturesWhen configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Can be integrated with Nautilus
- Works with Android Quick Share
- Local network transfers with no internet dependency
When configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Phone battery level display on desktop
- Supports SMS messaging from desktop
- Ability to run commands remotely on your Linux computer
3. Syncthing: Sync (every) thing
When configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Syncs full folders with continuous updates
- Requires third-party Android app for syncing
- Web GUI for easy device and folder management
4. LocalSend: Alternative to AirDrop
When configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Broad cross-platform support
- No internet, no tracking, no ads
- End-to-end encrypted file transfers
When configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Automatic device discovery over local network
- Simultaneous transfers with optional data compression
- Manual connections for restricted network environments
Bonus: GSConnect – GNOME’s Unofficial KDEConnect Cousin
When configured correctly, transfers are fast and reliable, and the detailed sync status and logs help you keep track of what’s happening during syncing.
- Handy multimedia controls and notifications
- Full KDE Connect features on GNOME desktops
- Browser extension support for Chrome and Firefox
Conclusion
I use LocalSend in my workflow to quickly transfer documents and images from my phone to my computer. The only minor inconvenience is that I need to disable the VPN on both devices for them to detect each other in the app.Developed by the Linux Mint team, Warpinator is an open source tool for easy file transfers over local networks. It’s simple to use but has some quirks. For example, to unlock all features, you need to enable Secure Mode. Without this, the app automatically exits after 60 minutes.GSConnect is a shell extension based on KDE Connect that is built specifically for GNOME desktops. It works well with the KDE Connect Android app, providing most of the same features without needing to switch desktop environments.To sync files with Android, you will need a third-party app like Syncthing-Fork. Since Syncthing syncs entire folders rather than single files, I suggest creating a dedicated folder that stays empty until you drop files for transfer into it.
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