Sync Folders Between Devices with Syncthing

Run Syncthing to keep folders identical across your Linux machines and phone over the LAN or internet, privately and without a cloud account.

LinuxbackupFilessyncthingLow risk

Start syncthing serve, open http://127.0.0.1:8384 in a browser, and pair devices by exchanging their device IDs.

01Command

Command

$ syncthing serve --gui-address=127.0.0.1:8384

02What it does

Syncthing is a peer-to-peer sync daemon: two devices that have exchanged their device IDs discover each other (directly on LAN, or via relays) and continuously replicate the folders you mark as shared. The web GUI at port 8384 is where you add folders, accept partners, and set versioning. Most distros install it as a systemd user unit — systemctl --user enable --now syncthing.service keeps it running at login; data is TLS-encrypted in transit and never stored on a central server.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

Requirementssyncthing installed on every device (sudo apt install syncthing); peers must share device IDs

!Warning: Deleting a file on one device deletes it on all peers — enable file versioning in the folder settings if you want a safety net, and don't expose the GUI to 0.0.0.0 without a password.

04Undo

Undo

$ systemctl --user stop syncthing.service && systemctl --user disable syncthing.service

05Sources

syncthing — Command line documentation
Syncthing · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents syncthing serve, the --gui-address option, and running syncthing as a service.
Syncthing FAQ — security and how it works
Syncthing · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Explains that all data is encrypted in TLS transit and shared only with explicitly paired device IDs — no central cloud.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Security & Privacy

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