Syncthing for background syncing things like my keepass db I always want an offline, updated copy of. Smb over wg for general filesystem access and one-off bulk copies, usually via rsync. Both are served from the same fileserver cluster; the graphene phones and macbooks are all clients. Nextcloud for notes and photos, though I can also get at those over smb if necessary.
Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
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Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#12I don't personally think there is one single mechanism. I use some things which synchronise inside themselves or their own cloud sync, (bitwarden) and some things
which synchronise via Google Drive, and other things which use iCal/Caldev syncing, or IMAP syncing.
I help people who live entirely inside Apple, and the built in and cloud sync is very very good: Password store sync is within seconds.
But, for various reasons I think I will remain in Android, despite using a Macbook for my daily life.
Photo sync has more complex problems. Acceptance of "live" images HEIC is .. mixed in other apps.
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#13Syncthing?
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#14In my experience you can get to nominally working without too much pain, but getting beyond that is very hard no matter what you use. You really need to commit to an ecosystem to get seamless integration.
I’m not happy about this fwiw, just my experience.
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#15For small files with no hassle, any instant messenger app like Telegram, Google Chat, FB Messenger etc where you can send photos, videos, files to yourself.
For massive files at home, I own a Synology NAS hosting a SMB network folder. I drag files in and they transfer at ~1gbps in theory, a bit slower in practive.
For massive files on the go, I turn on mobile hotspot then use Total Commander in "Wi-Fi transfer" mode. Also ~1gbps in theory, a bit slower in practice. You use your browser to upload/download the files on the mac side.
Options I avoid because they suck: GDrive (slow and limited by internet speed), All those "snapdrop" "peardrop" "wormhole" etc sites. They promise a lot more than they deliver. They're usually slow and finicky.
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#16KDE connect (android, macos, linux, etc.) + Soduto (a kde connect client for macos - https://github.com/soduto/Soduto ) is decent for basic file-sharing as an alternative to apple airdrop.
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#17Syncthing?
This. Two Windows machines, Android and iOS (via paid Moebius Sync)
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#18Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#19Beeper is quite useful here with a pinned message to yourself - can quickly send urls/text and have that show up on all devices. Obviously also handles google chat/facebook/sms/discord messages etc in the same system.
For photos and other large files - dropbox, though the current price means I'll probably be dropping this next renewal.
Re: Ask HN: Those who use an Android and macOS, how do you manage sync?
#20KDE connect (android, macos, linux, etc.) + Soduto (a kde connect client for macos - https://github.com/soduto/Soduto ) is decent for basic file-sharing as an alternative to apple airdrop.
KDE Connect is incredible for iPhone + Linux workstation. It’s about as close as you can get to Apple’s interop. I wish they’d make a few UX improvements like putting a button in the app to open Files at the directory for incoming files, but otherwise I use it daily to transfer files and clipboard integration.