Android to PC sync (cloud-free)
June 5, 2013 11:29 PM   Subscribe

Would like to be able to edit files on my android device and PC and sync folder/files so they are up to date on both. Without any involvement from the stupid cloud. Just a good old fashioned, iphone-style sync.

Something like Evernote without the clouds would be great, but failing that, just a way to sync a bunch of word docs, pdfs, pictures.

I don't want to use Sugar Sync, Google Drive, OneNote, Dropbox, or anything which sends my stuff away somewhere and I have to incur data charges to get it back. I have never used Kies because of the permissions.

If I can just have the files on my android and the PC, and transfer via wifi, bluetooth or usb that would be great.

There may be an incredibly obvious answer to this, but I don't know it! Thanks in advance.
posted by inkypinky to Computers & Internet (7 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
You could use a simple folder sync tool like Unison or GRSync to sync the folder(s) on your PC with the folder(s) on your Android.

Both of those are free (as in open source and as in cost) and relatively easy to use as long as you understand the basic concepts of how they work, which isn't hard to do. I've used them extensively on Mac and Linux without any issues at all. Never used either on Windows but I doubt there would be much difference.

This would definitely work if you didn't mind launching the tool manually whenever you'd plugged in your phone and wanted to perform a sync.

I'm fairly sure that with a bit of Googling you could also find a separate bit of software that notices when your phone's plugged in and automatically launches your file sync software for you, so you didn't have to trigger the sync manually, but it's a long time since I've used Windows for anything like that so I can't suggest anything specific, I'm afraid.
posted by infinitejones at 11:41 PM on June 5, 2013


You could check out Tonido Plug - a "personal cloud" device (you own it, physically) that you can connect to via wifi when you're at home, and which also gives you the option of connecting when away from home. Pretty cool, relatively inexpensive, relatively easy to use (Linux based). Add a few USB hard drives and you're set!
posted by gorbichov at 5:17 AM on June 6, 2013


What you want is AirSync - file transfer via Wifi. It's not automatic, but it's super easy to move files.
posted by canine epigram at 5:54 AM on June 6, 2013


Your Android, on the Web
AirDroid is a free and fast app that helps you manage your Android from a desk web browser, all over the air.
AirDroid philosophy:
※ One less cable.
Move things on and off your Android device without a USB cable. Even when the device is not nearby.
※ One less screen.
Send and receive SMS from your big-screen computer, without being distracted by the small-screen thing.
※ One less worry.
Locate and lock your Android when it’s lost. Cannot get it back? Simply wipe all data remotely.
posted by notyou at 7:30 AM on June 6, 2013


Oops. Forgot the link.

Airdroid.
posted by notyou at 9:02 AM on June 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


I like SwiFTP. Simple FTP server for Android. Turn it on, and then use whatever method you would normally use to synchronize files over FTP from your PC.
posted by anaelith at 4:19 AM on June 7, 2013


Like notyou, I use Airdroid for this. I have Tasker as well, so when I put it on a charger and my wifi is in range, Airdroid will sync automatically.
posted by Tzarius at 4:40 AM on June 7, 2013


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