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How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

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Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#62

I typically just run a python3 -m http.server command from a command line on whatever device I need to send from and then hit it on a webpage. You can run that on an iOS device even with something like Libterm

I also use uploadserver[1] so I can upload from other devices without anything additional on the client.

1: https://pypi.org/project/uploadserver/

Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#64

I was forced to go digging for a solution that supported Mac, iOS, Android and Windows. Localsend is available through the app stores and on github. I haven't had much occasion to use it yet, but here's another to add to your lists: https://github.com/localsend/localsend

I use localsend almost everyday, mostly for copying images/PDFs between my Macbook Air and 3 Android devices.

So far works great, no issue.

Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#67
post #31
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

that could be complicated for people. some have never used a terminal before. people will literally write "command src dst" https://www.theverge.com/22684730/students-file-folder-direc...

Right. So my point is that if we define a non-technical user as "someone who doesn't know how to do the thing yet", and any amount of teaching them to do the thing is thus implicitly deemed an unacceptable cost, then the problem simply has no solution

As the defacto I.T. support man for family and friends of varied skill levels… sometimes it’s really daunting trying to get them to do things that seem very intuitive to the technically experienced. I’m not saying we should just give up ok trying to show people new tools but I can empathize with the terror of even imagining handing a terminal off to some of these people, hah! A simple GUI goes a long way for people who don’t, for example, know how to write a file path or don’t know the difference between a forward slash and a backslash!

Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#68

It's insane to me that this is a frustration I've had back maybe 20 years now and I still feel like there isn't a particularly great solution. My current iteration is just a "transfer" SyncThing folder that is on all my devices. It's not clean or convenient but at least its incredibly fast.

If only we had something like AirDrop that reliably worked cross-platform.

Proximity-based sharing just makes significantly more sense than uploading files to some server miles away, then immediately redownloading them back when the computer was two feet away from you the whole time.

Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#69

Use WhatsApp: - create a group and add 1 person - remove that person - share whatever you like with yourself via WhatsApp web :)

iMessage or the notes app works with mac and iOS or a combo of those.

iCloud Drive probably does too, but it’s horrible in my opinion.

Re: How to copy a file between devices? (2022)

#70
Syncthing checks all 4 of the boxes:

1) No account needed

2) Easy to use for non-technical people: just copy files into shared folders (like Dropbox)

3) Works the same way across platforms

4) It is distributed, you can share a folder with local devices only

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