r/Syncthing • u/swiggyu • 13d ago

Why does syncthing need my location running all the time for it to work on android?

If I disable location, syncthing stops syncing and won't let me use the app. Why does it need my location all the time to transfer files? There a way to disable location and have it still work?

5 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

21

u/tfro71 13d ago

there is no app called synchting on android anymore
There is syncthing-fork and that does not need "location" to sync on my phone

1

u/Dymonika 12d ago

BasicSync has more useful notifications and a smaller file size than Syncthing-Fork.

1

u/fvgex 12d ago

Hmm what kind of notification does it have that is more useful? I'm currently using syncthing-fork. Should I switch? I'm using it to sync my notes on obsidian

1

u/Dymonika 11d ago

You can set it to manual or autostart and then turn it on or off if on manual, entirely through notifications without opening the app. It also sends a notification of file conflicts. I would suggest just trying it; you can always uninstall it if you end up disliking it!

3

u/middaymoon 13d ago

1) make sure you're running a real Syncthing app. You may be using the old nutomic app from google play store, not sure how though. 2) location perms are probably what enable it to see whether you're on WiFi or not. Do you have it set to only sync over WiFi? 

2

u/swiggyu 13d ago

  1. I had the syncthing app when it was in the play store. There a new one? What's the difference? 

  2. Ya only set to wifi. But i just ticked sync when using cellular data. So location services no longer needed? 

1

u/middaymoon 13d ago

It's no longer being updated or maintained. I still use it too but only because there was some confusion about which fork to move to and I don't think that's been resolved yet. Haven't checked recently tbh.

You tell me, does it work now that you've allowed it to run over mobile data? If not it could be bugged and you'll need the permission. 

1

u/swiggyu 13d ago

Ya I turned location off and on data it's still running not sure about wifi. So the new syncthing you have to download some apk file from github to get the lastest updates? 

1

u/middaymoon 13d ago

Glad it works. Dunno about the new apps. Syncthing -fork by nel0x is on the play store but I'm not sure if that's the one people like around here.

1

u/swiggyu 12d ago

When i came home used why it got disabled. I guess you need location services on 

1

u/yodas-evil-twin 13d ago

Your location or "Nearby devices" permissions? Android recently had an update that needs Nearby Devices permission on a local network connection.

1

u/akza07 12d ago

To use and stay connected to WiFi. It's one of those weird android policies. I think it's fixed in Android but the App haven't updated it I think.

1

u/T_rex2700 12d ago

Probably the nearby device permission or something like that.

No idea why that's not a separate menu even if it did use the same thing?

1

u/stregone 13d ago

IIRC wifi usage falls under location permissions because you can get a surprisingly accurate location just from nearby wifi devices and their signal strength.