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Syncthing keeps selected folders in sync across devices you configure yourself; it does not store your files in a Syncthing cloud account. When the devices are online together, changes can pass between them. That gives you control over where the files are stored, but it also means deletions and unwanted changes can spread. Use a separate backup if you need independent recovery.
What is Syncthing?
Syncthing is an application that synchronizes files across multiple devices. You choose the folders and devices, and Syncthing replicates creations, edits, and deletions between them. There is no Syncthing cloud account holding a central copy of your files; the devices exchange data when they can connect. Discovery and relay services may still help devices find or reach one another.
Syncthing is useful when you want files available on computers or other compatible devices while retaining control over storage locations. It is not automatic access to every file on every device: each device and shared folder must be configured.
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Install and start a Syncthing version on each device. The initial web interface is available on localhost by default. Device IDs are generated from device keys; they do not need to be kept secret, but you must configure both sides to recognize each other before they can connect.
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- Start Syncthing on both devices. Community-maintained platform versions use the same core, though installation and configuration can differ by platform.
- Find each device’s ID. In the web interface, locate the device ID shown for that device.
- Add the other device on each side. Add Device on one device, enter the other device’s ID, and accept or configure the corresponding connection on the other device.
- Choose a folder to share. Select an existing folder or create one, then share it with the other device.
- Accept and configure the folder on the receiving device. Choose its local path and confirm the folder mode before allowing synchronization.
- Check that both devices connect and the folder reaches the expected state. Keep them online while the initial contents are transferred.
Do not expose the administrative web interface broadly just to make file sync work. Remote GUI access is unnecessary for a typical installation; if you deliberately make the GUI remotely reachable, protect it with authentication and HTTPS.
Which folder mode should you use?
Choose the mode based on which device is allowed to change the shared contents. The wrong mode can distribute an unintended edit or deletion, and override or revert actions can replace or remove files.
| Mode | How changes flow | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Send & Receive | Changes go both ways. Edits and deletions on either device propagate to the other. | Devices that should maintain the same working folder and can both be sources of changes. |
| Send Only | This device sends its changes; it does not accept changes from other devices as the new contents of its folder. | A reference copy or source of truth that should not be changed by other devices. |
| Receive Only | This device receives changes from the cluster but does not distribute its local modifications. | A replica meant to follow another device rather than act as a source. |
Send Only and Receive Only include controls to override or revert local differences. Treat those actions as potentially destructive: an override can push one copy’s state to other devices, while a revert can discard local changes to bring a folder back in line. Make sure you understand which copy is authoritative before using either control.
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Is Syncthing a backup?
No. Syncthing’s FAQ says it is not a great backup application because modifications and deletions propagate to all devices. A second synchronized copy may protect you from a single device failure, but it does not necessarily protect against accidental deletion, unwanted edits, or other changes that sync onward.
Syncthing’s file versioning can preserve older versions of files received from other devices, but versioning is off by default and is configured per folder and device. It applies to changes received from other devices; enabling it on a device does not archive changes made locally on that same device.
Available approaches include a trash-can archive, simple retention, staggered retention, and an external command. These are policies with different retention behavior, not a promise to keep every version forever. Use versioning as a recovery layer, and keep an independent backup process for files you cannot afford to lose.
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How private and secure is Syncthing?
Syncthing protects device-to-device traffic with TLS and checks certificate fingerprints against the configured peer list, helping prevent uninvited devices from joining a cluster. A relay can carry a connection without being able to inspect the encrypted file data.
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That does not make Syncthing anonymous or invisible on a network. With global discovery enabled, the discovery service can associate device IDs with external IP addresses; local discovery exposes device IDs on the local network. Relays also learn the device IDs needed to establish a connection, and network observers may infer that Syncthing is in use.
Protect the devices’ keys and configuration as well as the network traffic. Someone who obtains a device’s TLS keys and configuration may be able to impersonate that device and access synchronized files. If a device is lost, revoke its access from the other devices. For confidential data, keep the configuration folder on encrypted storage when using disk encryption.
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Why might syncing be slow or fail to connect?
Syncthing can use a direct connection or a relay. A relay may make a connection possible when devices cannot connect directly, but it can perform worse than a direct path. Router or firewall configuration, including port forwarding where appropriate, may improve direct connectivity.
Under the default configuration, the firewall guide lists these ports:
- TCP 22000: sync traffic.
- UDP 22000: sync traffic.
- UDP 21027: local device discovery.
If you use custom listen addresses, adjust firewall rules accordingly. Do not open ports indiscriminately; only change network settings you understand and need.
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Check the connection path
In Syncthing’s device status, check whether the connection is direct or relayed. If it is relayed and transfers are slow, consider whether your network setup can support a direct connection. A relay is a useful fallback, not a speed guarantee.
Check network and device capacity
Transfer speed depends on the network path, the quality of the connection, endpoint processing capacity, and the amount and type of work Syncthing must do. The FAQ specifically notes that low-powered devices such as phones, Raspberry Pi systems, and NAS devices can be CPU-constrained. Check device load as well as network conditions before assuming the sync configuration is at fault.
Can you use Syncthing on an iPhone or iPad?
The official FAQ says there are no plans for official iOS support in the foreseeable future, citing iOS background-processing restrictions. Third-party apps attempt to work within those limits, but they are not official Syncthing releases. Availability, maintenance, and compatibility can change, so verify a specific app’s current status before relying on it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when both devices are not online at the same time?
They cannot exchange changes while disconnected. Synchronization can take place when they are online and able to connect.
Does Syncthing upload my files to the cloud?
Syncthing does not upload files to a Syncthing cloud account. Its devices exchange the data; discovery or relay services may help locate or connect peers without reading relayed encrypted file data.
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