Børge

When I come home and my phone connects to the wifi that my Linux (Gnome) PC is also connected to, I would like all my new photos to be automatically sent from my phone to my PC.

I would like this to happen without:
- sending the photos via any third party on the internet
- using any proprietary apps
- having to set up Syncthing or anything similarly difficult

Is this even possible? If not, what's the second best alternative?

Thank you!

#foss #linux #LinuxApps #syncing #askfedi #gnome

Mar 21 at 1:57pmWeb
Show threadRob Pumphrey1d ago
@forteller
Would also like to know a good way to do this
Show threadDavid S1d ago

@robpumphrey @forteller

I would say Syncthing, because it's not difficult IMHO.

The only other way I can think of is to run Immich or Ente in a docker container on the Linux PC and their mobile phone app which can auto sync, but that's going to be more complicated than Syncthing

Show threadAdhidarma Hadiwinoto 1d ago
@forteller I think using #syncthing is the most simple solution for your needs. I have no idea what thing make you feel it's difficult.
Show threadSanskritFritz1d ago
@adhisimon @forteller
Or you can always ask for help, the first steps might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, you'll love it. Promise. #Syncthing #BasicSync
Show threadBørge1d ago
@SanskritFritz @adhisimon I have set it up before. It was a hassle I would prefer not to have to go trough again. Then it worked fine for a long time, and suddenly it stopped, for no apparent reason. When that happened there was no indication of why or how to fix it, and I was unable to.
Show threadSanskritFritz1d ago
@forteller @adhisimon
Bugs and problems are completely normal in the IT world (sadly). I honestly don't think you'll find anything that will fulfill your expectations, software today is still at the stage of maturing. Just ask for help when stuck, many people are willing to help and you're even making friends in the process.
Show threadBørge1d ago
@SanskritFritz Ok, I guess I'll give it another shot. Thank you for your kind words! :) @adhisimon
Show threadSanskritFritz1d ago
@forteller @adhisimon
Maybe all we need sometimes is a word of incouragement 😇
Show threadAdhidarma Hadiwinoto 1d ago

@forteller yeah, there are many more advance and complex solutions. But I think syncthing is the simplest for your needs. No need for centralized server. For Android client, I can recommend "syncthing fork".

@SanskritFritz

Show threadSanskritFritz1d ago
@adhisimon @forteller
There was some turmoil regarding the original developer stepping down and the trustworthiness of the new dev. Hence the new contender #BasicSync was born, I highly recommend it, the developer is a well known Android developer with very good reputation. The biggest drawback there is that it is only available on Github https://github.com/chenxiaolong/BasicSync
not even on Fdroid. Using #Obtainium solves that problem.
GitHub - chenxiaolong/BasicSync: A simple app for running Syncthing on Android

A simple app for running Syncthing on Android. Contribute to chenxiaolong/BasicSync development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHub
Show threadedafe11h ago

@forteller @SanskritFritz @adhisimon

Maybe you are using a distribution that is based on Debian and this is useful.

https://edafe.de/2026/02/install-syncthing-2-x-for-continuous-file-synchronisation-on-debian-or-ubuntu-or-raspberry-pi-os/

#syncthing #linux #debian #ubuntu #linuxmint #rpi #raspi #raspberrypi

Install Syncthing 2.x for continuous file synchronisation on Debian or Ubuntu or Raspberry Pi OS

edafe.de/syncthing Syncthing is an open source tool that synchronises files continuously across multiple devices. It transfers data between two or more of your computers, without uploading any information to the cloud. Syncthing 2.0 has recently been described as 'A Giant Leap Forward in Decentralized File Synchronization'. Synchronisation for every platform Syncthing binary packages are available … Continue reading Install Syncthing 2.x for continuous file synchronisation on Debian or Ubuntu or Raspberry Pi OS

edafe.de
Show threadTorx1d ago

@forteller If violating 2) i can recommend #PhotoSync, a quite versatile paid APP for iOS and Android. It even Syncs on iOS which is rare since Apple disallow most background activity.

If violating 3) I can recommend #roundsync, a FOSS App available through #FDroid that is basically a GUI for #RClone with tasks that can be scheduled and check the Wifi condition. Just add the task multiple times to run it on more occasions, i just sync overnight but your usecase might be different.

Both Apps can connect to many different things, on your PC you must offer some kind of server like CIFS, NFS, ...

Show threadfab:log1d ago
@forteller
Without having tried myself, immich seems to do the job. There also seem to be hosted offers, so you do not necessarily have to set up your own server.
https://immich.app/
https://docs.immich.app/install/one-click/
Immich

Self-hosted photo and video management solution. Easily back up, organize, and manage your photos on your own server. Immich helps you browse, search and organize your photos and videos with ease, without sacrificing your privacy.

Immich
Show threadéric 🚲 🇪🇺 1d ago

@forteller

I don't have a solution for you unfortunately but I can mention what I do, a manual process, not automatic, in case it might be useful.

I use `kdeconnect` [*] to link my phone to my Linux desktop. From the phone, I select all the photos I want to send to my desktop and click on the share button. Done!

[*] despite the name, `kdeconnect` does not require the KDE desktop.

#foss #linux #syncing

Show threadDellion 🦔1d ago
@forteller Maybe you can try FolderSync that van sync with conditions (wifi) and you can sync between folder shares in/from phone and desktop.
Show threadDippyGeek1d ago
@forteller Not trivial to set up, but you can self host Nextcloud, install the client on your mobile, and set your mobile's Camera folder to auto upload but only over WiFi.
Show threadrelease_candidate1d ago
@forteller syncthing.
Show threadBård H. (lvl 49 🇳🇴)22h ago

@forteller

This sounds absolutely awful, but TECHNICALLY you could install SMB on your phone and use network sharing. Might want to give the phone a permanent local ip tied to its mac.

Then tell your computer to ping the ip, and copy out any new files every now and then, or simply wait for a while if there is no ping response.

But even though this is technically possibly, that doesn't mean it's actually a good idea...

Personally I'd rather go for a private nextcloud instance instead.

Show threadTiTiNoNero 15h ago

@forteller

As proprietary app, you mean non-FOSS?

I get that syncthing is to be avoided for difficulty, and in that case suggesting to write a script yourself is not helpful.

Last time I tried magic it was super-difficult, but maybe the latest version has improved, and it is now easier than syncthing.

If it is the only reasonable option it is not that difficult, and once set-up it simply works.

Show threadTaasz/Woof9h ago

@forteller The simplest option is a sync app connected via SFTP or SMB, a quick search in F-Droid shows 'Round Sync' as a potential option. Nothing to install on your PC this way.

The other option is Immich, it's more of a full photo management server you would install on your PC or a local always-on server, but the mobile app has auto-backup that works really well, and it gives you more functions like albums, face recognition, search, etc..

I do not recommend Syncthing as it cannot easily do one-way sync while also not syncing deletions, which is typically how people want photo sync/backup to function. And the mobile app doesn't often work well and can cause high battery drain in my experience.