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To sync files with Syncthing on Linux, start Syncthing on each computer, add each computer’s device ID to the other, then share the same folder ID between them. You can keep a different local folder path on each computer. The administration GUI is available locally at http://localhost:8384/ by default.

Install and start Syncthing on Linux

  1. Install Syncthing using the instructions for your Linux distribution. Syncthing’s Getting Started guide includes Debian and Ubuntu repository instructions; package availability and release versions vary by distribution.

  2. Start Syncthing. On first start, it creates its configuration and encryption keys and opens the administration GUI in a browser.

  3. If the GUI does not open automatically, visit http://localhost:8384/ on the computer running Syncthing.

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Connect two devices

Each Syncthing installation has a unique device ID. The devices must each be configured with the other’s ID before they can connect; adding a device on only one side is not enough.

  1. On the first computer, find its device ID in the Syncthing GUI.

  2. On the second computer, choose Add Remote Device, enter the first computer’s ID, and save. A device name is optional and only serves as a label.

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  3. On the first computer, add the second computer’s device ID as a remote device, then save.

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For the GUI workflow and first-run details, see Syncthing’s Getting Started guide.

Share a folder between the devices

  1. In the GUI, add or select the folder you want to synchronize. Confirm its local path is the directory you intend to share.

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  2. In the folder’s sharing settings, select the remote device or devices that should receive it, then save.

  3. On the other computer, accept or configure the folder and choose where its local copy should live. Repeat for any other device that should participate.

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The folder’s ID identifies the shared folder and must match on all participating devices. Its physical path can differ from machine to machine. Keeping the automatically generated folder ID helps avoid conflicts with another folder that happens to have the same name. A folder that exists locally is not shared until you select the remote device for it. See An Intro to the GUI.

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Check whether synchronization is working

Look at the folder state in the GUI. Syncthing describes these states in its GUI guide:

  • Unshared: No remote device is sharing this folder.
  • Scanning or Preparing to Sync: Syncthing is processing the folder or preparing changes for synchronization.
  • Up to Date: The folder is synchronized with its other devices.
  • Stopped: The folder has encountered an error; inspect the GUI for details.

You can pause a folder or force a rescan from the GUI. If a change does not appear, check that the folder is shared with the intended device, the folder IDs match, and the displayed paths point to the expected directories.

Know where Linux stores Syncthing data

On current Unix-like installations, Syncthing generally stores its configuration and index database in $XDG_STATE_HOME/syncthing, or in $HOME/.local/state/syncthing when XDG_STATE_HOME is unset. Syncthing’s configuration documentation for version 2.1.5 says this default changed in version 1.27.0. Existing installations can retain older locations, including $HOME/.config/syncthing, so check the installation rather than assuming one path applies universally.

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The configuration directory includes config.xml and device key material. The index database records file metadata and hashes.

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Keep the administration GUI secure

By default, the GUI and REST API listen on 127.0.0.1:8384, which limits access to the local computer. Syncthing’s GUI listen address guidance recommends taking additional precautions if you deliberately expose the GUI to a network.

  • Use a username and strong password.
  • Enable HTTPS.
  • Use firewall rules to control which clients can reach the GUI. Binding to a LAN address alone does not restrict requests to local-network clients.
  • Do not generally run Syncthing as root.

Changing the listener to 0.0.0.0:8384 makes the GUI listen on all network interfaces; do so only when network access is intentional and the access controls above are in place.

Troubleshoot devices that do not connect

  • Confirm both IDs are configured: Each device needs the other device’s ID.
  • Check the GUI or console errors: They can identify configuration or connection problems.
  • Review firewall settings: A firewall can prevent devices from connecting. Syncthing’s Usage documentation links to further guides, including firewall setup.
  • Allow configuration changes to take effect: After updating settings, give Syncthing time to apply them before diagnosing the connection again.
  • Verify the folder configuration: Confirm the folder is shared with the remote device and has the same folder ID on both sides.

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