Syncthing - Continuous File Synchronization Program

Imagine having a program that effortlessly synchronizes your folders across multiple devices and with different people. Whether between your PC, Android phone, laptop, or any other device, this program ensures your data is always up-to-date and accessible.

Consider your game save files as an example. You might have an emulator on your Android device that saves your game progress locally. If you want to continue playing on your PC, this program can seamlessly share the saved data between your Android device and PC. Whenever the save file changes on either device, it syncs across both.

This program eliminates the need for cloud services or even a specific IP address. It works seamlessly over LAN and the internet, providing a hassle-free synchronization experience.

You can download the program here

How to manage and connect more devices

Assuming the program is already installed on your PC, you can manage and modify its content and connected devices through a web interface. Simply open your web browser and enter http://127.0.0.1:8384 in the address bar. This will take you to the program's dashboard, where you can adjust the shared content and configure the devices you want to connect with.

Create the folder

To create your first shareable folder, follow these steps:

1. Click on the icon with the plus symbol and select "Add Folder."
2. In the "Folder Label" field, enter a name for your folder.
3. In the "Folder Path" field, enter the full path of your folder.

This will set up your shareable folder with ease.

Add remote device

To add a remote device, you can either go to your PC and select "Add Remote Device", you can also perform the same action on the other device. To find your ID, go to "Actions" (the gear icon in the upper right) and select "Show ID". On the other device, you can scan the QR code with your camera or manually enter your full-length ID code.

After successfully naming and saving your device, a prompt will appear on the other device suggesting that you add this device to your devices list.

Synchronize the folder between devices

Now that you have successfully added your remote device, follow these steps to share a folder:

1. Go to your unshared created folder and click on it.
2. Select "Edit" and navigate to the "Sharing" tab.
3. Choose the remote device you want to share with and click "Save".

On the remote device, a popup will appear. To complete the setup:

1. Select the path to your local device folder (e.g., on your mobile).
2. Name your folder.
3. Click "Save".

You're now ready to share anything you want between your devices.

Now that you’re ready to share files, here’s a key tip: this method requires both devices to be online for successful file synchronization. If either device is offline, they can't compare or transfer files.

You have many options to select from and numerous features to explore. While I haven’t covered everything, you can discover more on their website. It’s an amazing program, and the authors truly deserve recognition for making our lives easier. Plus, it’s free and open-source. What an incredible team!