YOU’LL NEED THIS
SYNCTHING
(https://syncthing.net) plus at least two networked devices running one of Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or NAS (Synology or QNAP)
WANT TO KEEP TWO OR MORE FOLDERS in sync across multiple devices? Looking for a quick and easy way to set up a shared folder without having to worry about networking protocols (never mind file and folder permissions)? Interested in a file-sharing solution that works over the internet with friends and family? Or how about setting up a secure backup, one that can be encrypted before it’s transferred so your data is untouchable on any device you back up to?
Syncthing covers all these bases. It’s a continuous file synchronization app, which means you simply copy a file into a monitored folder, then Syncthing will automatically (and securely) transfer it to any devices you’ve linked to that specific folder. Any subsequent changes, such as editing, moving, or even deleting a file, will be replicated across all synced devices to keep the folders perfectly in sync.
In this tutorial, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from installing the program and introducing devices to each other to configuring shared folders and resolving potential file conflicts. The good news is that it’s all completely secure—thanks to TLS encryption and perfect forward secrecy, your data is safe from hackers or man-in-the-middle attacks.
1 INSTALLING SYNCTHING
You’ll need—plus you can use it to keep folders on your Synology or QNAP NAS in sync, too—you’ll find Syncthing in Synology’s official Package Center, while QNAP users will need to first add the repo (see for instructions), then install Syncthing through that.
