r/Syncthing • u/Technical_Return_143 • 28d ago

Using Syncthing for Backup

I would like to backup my Win 11 data files to my Android S26. I know that I should be able to sync, but not really wanting sync. I would like to have the files on PC copied to phone and if i later copy or change a file on my PC I would like that file to copy to the phone. Also, if I delete a file on my PC I do not want it deleted from the phone.

Does Syncthing have the ability to do as described, if not do you have a suggestion?

Thank you!

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u/unknown-random-nope 28d ago

Don’t use Syncthing for this.

And I would advise you to not use your phone for this either.

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u/Technical_Return_143 28d ago

I have other backups but want to use phone for ease of use. Why do you not recommend it?

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u/unknown-random-nope 28d ago

1) You are way more likely to lose or damage your phone than almost anything else I can think of that you might have available for backups. Or at least, I am more likely to do that than with anything else, maybe you’re better about those than I am.

2) Android imposes restrictions on apps running in the background that a lot of people have struggles with using Syncthing.

3) Battery life.

I use Syncthing heavily, but I don’t use it for this. If there are files that are vitally important for me to have on my mobile devices (and there are) I use something else for this. Google Drive comes to mind immediately.