this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2023
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F-Droid
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F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device.
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It's super simple to setup on home server. Then you're not paying for cloud hosting. But, you need a home server running all the time. Which I do anyway, so may as well use it for syncthing
Just to clarify then: you use a home server - are you running Syncthing on Linux?
So, if I have an old laptop (win10) would I need to learn linux to use it as an home server - and could it use minimal power when it's always on? The power thing is an issue here in UK.
I have a nvidia shield for the tv, is that a possibility for a server - I go run plex on it?
These might sound to you like daft questions, but I'm just learning stuff. Thanks.
You don't need a server at all. Syncthing is peer to peer between devices. So you can just have it sync between two phones, or a phone and a laptop. They don't always have to be online either.
Interesting, would you mind explaining how I could use it to connect 2 (or more) android devices together? Where would it have to be run 'from' or installed 'to' ? From what I've gathered, it appears that it just runs from a central point - ie a server and that it keeps clients updated. Is that not correct?
If it's possible to run Syncthing between multiple devices that would be great, but, I'm not sure - in my head, how this functions between devices. Consider me a novice - could you please explain?
Many thanks for your reply.
You just install it on both devices, and then add the devices together using the QR code's.
You then add the folder you want to share, and select the device you want to share it with. On thr device you've chosen to share it with, you will get a prompt. You press accept and select the target folder.
The devices will now sync that folder.
Excellent! Got it installed now and it seems to work. It was the prompt bit I was getting confused with - I thought that I'd need to have both folders under the same structure on both machines. This is a brilliant app. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Hey there!
I do run a linux home server indeed. You can indeed use an old laptop, and many do, as they don't use a lot of power usually.
I am not sure about the nvidea shield, that would be cool. https://forum.syncthing.net/t/syncthing-on-nvidia-shield-tv-pro/20020 shows someone has done it. I'd be asking in those syncthing forums, people are very friendly there. That would be a great way to do it if it can handle it.
I hope that helps. If you want to get a handle on linux, run a virtualbox virtual machine first. I killed about 20 linux installs in virtualbox playing around before I went live on a real machine. It's a great way to find a distro you like also. I recommend pure Debian personally.
If you have further questions, I'll help as I can.