Hey,

I was wondering what folks use to quickly send a file or a link between your PC and android phone in a lightweight and self hosted way.

Currently I use syncthing to copy files around, but I’m looking for something more immediate, and quick than doesn’t involve searching for folders in a file manager.

Example use case: Send a file from PC to phone. Notification pops up on phone, tap it to access.

(PC runs OpenBSD)

What lightweight software do you guys use?

Stuff I tried so far:

  • syncthing
  • xmpp
  • tox
  • scp and termux.
  • magic wormhole
  • telegram saved messages
  • deadcatbounce@reddthat.comEnglish
    1·
    4 hours ago

    Syncthing is fast. I have an IPv6 setup too which seems to help.

    I have my downloads directory on my desktop linked to a downloads directory on my Android; you can’t link to the real Android downloads directory anymore so I use another.

    When the file is removed from the desktop downloads directory it disappears from mobile.

    I tried using Bluetooth between them but it’s more fiddly than Syncthing with my config. Switch Bluetooth on on desktop, connect to desktop, send file, disconnect, move file. Whereas Syncthing is always on.

    However, before I started using Obsidian notes I used to transfer URLs using Signal’s Note-to-self thing. Signal on both desktop and mobile.

    Obviously, I sync between mobile and desktop Obsidian using Syncthing.

  • Lettuce eat lettuce@lemmy.mlEnglish
    16·
    11 hours ago

    I love localsend.

    Works on Linux, Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It is basically an OS agnostic Airdrop.

    It’s FOSS, so you can go to the Github and build from source for OpenBSD, but I have no idea if that would work.

  • vinnymac@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    14 hours ago

    Here are a bunch of local services I’ve used at one point or another from phone to PC or PC to PC. Not sure if any links are out of date.

    KDE Connect

    Wormhole (Closed Source)

    LocalSend

    SnapDrop

    ShareDrop

    FilePizza

    Original Wormhole

    PeerTransfer

    JustBeamIt

    Send Visee

  • Deckweiss@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    15 hours ago

    https://pairdrop.net/

    open source, can be self hosted or you can use the official instance.

    Personally I have been using KDE connect most of the time when I am at home.

    Pairdrop I use more when sharing with other people across the internet.

    • vext01@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      9 hours ago

      pairdrop

      I like this a lot.

      A question. Docs say:

      Your files are sent using WebRTC, encrypting them in transit. Still you have to trust the PairDrop server. To ensure the connection is secure and there is no MITM there is a plan to make PairDrop zero trust by encrypting the signaling and implementing a verification process. See issue #180 to keep updated.

      Does this mean if you self-host on your LAN for personal use without https, then nothing is encrypted, or does WebRTC negotiate its own crypto?

    • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      2·
      14 hours ago

      Yeah, can recommend that one too Although it sometimes seems to have some performance problems with a large amount of files - could be, that it’s already fixed though

      • MangoPenguinEnglish
        2·
        12 hours ago

        Yeah for large folders and stuff probably better to use SFTP or WebDAV

  • JTskulk@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    9 hours ago

    I use SyncMe which synchronizes smb shares to your phone. It’s great once you have it set up, but it does take a little setup. Gotta have shares and whatnot.

  • JASN_DE@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    15 hours ago

    As I have basically all devices connected to my Nextcloud instance, I simply use that. I don’t have any “time-critical” file transfers though.

    • vext01@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      15 hours ago

      Well my transfers aren’t “time critical” either, but life feels easier if I don’t have to jump through hoops to solve a task that involves copy files around.

      Re: next cloud, looking for something more lightweight than that.

  • lka1988@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    14 hours ago

    FX File Explorer has a local web-access feature. Start it on your phone and access via local IP, then just turn it off when you’re done.

    Don’t use on public wifi, it’s http-only.

  • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.deEnglish
    3·
    13 hours ago

    I use Cx file explorer and mount my PC via sshfs in there. It’s closed source but it supports a whole bunch of protocols including samba, ftp and webdav. And it can launch a webserver on your phone to offer the phone’s files. But sshfs is the most convenient for me.

    And for links and other small texts I use either KDEConnect’s copy and paste sync or just send myself the text in Signal.

  • reddwarf@feddit.nlEnglish
    1·
    11 hours ago

    You got some good replies and I personally am enamored by LocalSend, it is worth checking it out.

    However, there is a simple way if a) you use whatsapp and b) the devices involved have access to whatsapp.
    This involves not just sending files but you can send text and whatever whatsapp supports and you’ll have a history of these chats should you need to have them later again. Probably possible with other platforms but I use whatsapp so that is what I setup for information transfer to myself.
    The thing you want to do is create a chat group, add a friend for a very brief moment, remove said friend again after they accepted, enjoy your private group where you can dump any and all info into and pick up from wherever you have whatsapp available. The trick is to add a friend for a couple of seconds. If you create a group you are automatically in it but you cannot use it until you add someone else, then it becomes active and use-able. The fact that you end up alone in that group does not make it unavailable again. Weird but it works.