For years, Linux users have shared a quiet wish: a simple, smooth, AirDrop-like way to move files wirelessly between phone and computer. Something fast, something private, and most importantly — something that just works on real setups, not only in ideal conditions. After diving deep into dozens of tools, testing them across Ubuntu, Android, iPadOS, and even Windows, three apps finally stood out as truly reliable.
And what’s beautiful is that each of these tools solves a different problem. One is perfect for lightning-quick one-time transfers. Another blends your phone and desktop into a single, unified workflow. And the third creates a cloud-free world where entire folders stay in sync without you ever clicking a button.
Let’s talk about all three apps, why they matter, and how you can begin using them today.
LocalSend — When You Just Need to Send a File Right Now
Before diving into more powerful integrations, it helps to start with something simple. LocalSend is the sort of tool you install once and then instantly forget — not because it’s unimportant, but because it works so flawlessly that it never needs your attention.
LocalSend behaves like a universal, open-source version of AirDrop. It doesn’t care whether you’re on Ubuntu or Fedora, whether your phone is Android or iOS, or whether your second device happens to run Windows. If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, LocalSend treats that network as your own private highway. Files glide across it at extraordinary speeds — often between 20 to 80 MB/s on Wi-Fi 6 — and because everything stays inside your network, nothing touches the cloud.
Using LocalSend feels natural. You open the app on both devices, they instantly discover each other, and you drag your file across. A thumbnail you created on Linux appears on your phone a second later. A large PDF jumps from your phone to your laptop in the blink of an eye. There are no QR codes to scan, no pairing rituals, no configuration steps. The app is intentionally minimal so that the transfer happens before you even think about it.
Another quiet benefit is how LocalSend keeps your data private. There are no servers, no analytics, and no accounts. Everything is peer-to-peer inside your own home or office network. If you value digital cleanliness, this is refreshing.
Installing LocalSend (Official Links Only)
- Website: https://localsend.org
- Cross-platform downloads: https://localsend.org/download
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.localsend.localsend_app
- Android (F-Droid): https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.localsend.localsend_app/
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/localsend/id1661733229
LocalSend also offers a web version for quick transfers without installing anything, making it useful in shared environments or on borrowed devices.
If you only need fast one-time transfers, LocalSend might be enough on its own. But if you want your phone and your Linux desktop to feel connected, not just paired — that’s where the next tool shines.
KDE Connect / GSConnect — Turning Your Phone Into an Extension of Your Desktop
There’s something delightful about an app that removes friction so well that using your computer suddenly feels calmer and more continuous. KDE Connect (or GSConnect if you’re on GNOME) provides exactly that feeling. It doesn’t simply move files. It integrates your phone and your desktop at a deeper level, the way a modern workspace should behave.
Imagine this: your phone is charging on your table. A message arrives. But instead of picking up your phone, the notification appears on your screen. You read it. You reply from your keyboard. The message sends from your phone automatically. Your workflow never breaks.
Or consider the moment you receive a one-time password on your phone. You tap to copy it there. Without doing anything else, you press Ctrl+V on your Linux system, and the code appears instantly on your desktop clipboard. The first time this happens, you feel an almost magical sense of relief — finally, a seamless bridge between devices.
KDE Connect also handles media elegantly. If you’re watching something on your computer and someone calls your phone, playback pauses automatically. When the call ends, you resume where you left off. Tiny touches like these make everyday computing feel more intelligent.
And then there’s remote control. Your phone can act as a wireless touchpad, a media controller, or even a keyboard. Presentations, movies, or even simple browsing suddenly become more convenient.
This tool shines brightest on Linux paired with Android. The integration is deep, consistent, and truly reliable. On iOS or iPadOS, Apple imposes limitations — notifications and clipboard syncing only work while the app is open — but basic transfers still work well.
Installing KDE Connect (Official Links Only)
For Ubuntu and other Debian-based distros:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kdeconnect
Mobile apps:
- Android (Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kde.kdeconnect_tp
- Android (F-Droid): https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.kde.kdeconnect_tp/
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/kde-connect/id1580245991
Download overview:
https://kdeconnect.kde.org/download.html
Installing GSConnect (for GNOME Desktop Users)
This is the GNOME-shell implementation of KDE Connect.
- Install Extension Manager:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager
- Open Extension Manager → Browse → Search GSConnect → Install.
Once paired, the devices stay connected as long as they share a network. From that moment onward, tiny conveniences start adding up until one day you realize you cannot imagine using Linux without this bridge.
Syncthing — A Cloud-Free, Always-On Sync Engine for Your Entire Workflow
Some tools help you send files. Some tools help you integrate devices. But Syncthing belongs to a different category altogether — one where your data quietly synchronizes across multiple devices, without cloud servers, subscriptions, or corporate dependencies.
Syncthing is essentially your own private Dropbox, but smarter, faster, and completely under your control. Instead of uploading files to a data center somewhere, your devices exchange data directly with each other, encrypted end-to-end. You own the system, you own the data, and nothing leaves your network unless you explicitly allow it.
Setting up Syncthing feels almost like planting a seed. You configure it once, pair your devices, and choose the folders you want to synchronize. After that, the system takes care of everything. Add a document to your Ubuntu desktop, and a moment later it’s on your laptop. Capture a photo on your phone, and it appears on your PC without you tapping a button.
But what makes Syncthing especially powerful is delta syncing. When a file changes, it doesn’t resend the entire file — only the modified parts. A tiny edit in a huge video project doesn’t trigger a massive transfer. Just the changed blocks move, saving bandwidth and time.
Syncthing is also designed with resilience in mind. It offers versioning, which means if you delete a file or overwrite something important, older versions can still be recovered. For long-term projects or shared workflows, this is invaluable.
On Linux, Syncthing is at its strongest. On Android, it works beautifully but needs battery optimizations disabled to avoid being killed in the background. On iOS, the experience is limited due to Apple’s restrictions, but usable with a workaround app.
Installing Syncthing on Ubuntu (Official Repository, NOT Snap)
Step 1: Add the signing key and repository:
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
sudo curl -L -o /etc/apt/keyrings/syncthing-archive-keyring.gpg https://syncthing.net/release-key.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/syncthing-archive-keyring.gpg] https://apt.syncthing.net/ syncthing stable-v2" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/syncthing.list
Step 2: Install Syncthing:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install syncthing
Official Website
Once installed, you access Syncthing through a local web page at http://localhost:8384, where pairing your devices and syncing your folders feels surprisingly straightforward.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Each of these tools solves a different need, and the best choice depends on how you work.
- LocalSend is your fastest option when you just want to send something right now.
- KDE Connect / GSConnect gives you true device integration — notifications, remote control, clipboard syncing, and light file management.
- Syncthing is your long-term, cloud-free syncing engine that keeps entire folders mirrored automatically.
Most users end up using more than one. LocalSend handles quick tasks. KDE Connect makes the phone–desktop relationship feel modern. Syncthing maintains your important work across all machines.
If you’re unsure where to begin, KDE Connect is usually the easiest and most instantly rewarding. Within a few minutes, your devices feel like they belong to a single environment.
Disclaimer
Wireless tools behave differently across distributions, desktop environments, and mobile platforms. Performance can vary depending on Wi-Fi quality, system policies, and battery optimization settings. Always download apps from official links only and avoid third-party rebuilds that may introduce security risks.
#Linux #Ubuntu #LocalSend #KDEConnect #GSConnect #Syncthing #FileTransfer #OpenSource #dtptips
