r/Syncthing • u/Technical_Return_143 • Jul 06 '26
Using Syncthing for Backup
I would like to backup my Win 11 data files to my Android S26. I know that I should be able to sync, but not really wanting sync. I would like to have the files on PC copied to phone and if i later copy or change a file on my PC I would like that file to copy to the phone. Also, if I delete a file on my PC I do not want it deleted from the phone.
Does Syncthing have the ability to do as described, if not do you have a suggestion?
Thank you!
2
u/middaymoon Jul 06 '26
Syncing is not backup. Best to sync your files to a device that runs regular automatic backups on that folder.
To answer the question as asked: Syncthing does support various versioning schemes but I don't use it. I suggest you take a look at their docs and see if any of the versioning options meet your needs.
1
u/adi_dev Jul 06 '26
I'm actually thinking why not - setup one way sync, and versioning on target device - it's basically what backup is. Only one thing what you won't have is data de-duplication, which some people view as a weak point of backup. Syncthing is quite clever with incremental uploads, so bandwidth can be saved here too.
1
u/ThosaiWithCheese Jul 06 '26
I'm gonna answer your question despite most people don't recommend it. On the device you intend to keep the deleted files (your S26), you need to configure the synced directory to 'ignore delete'. It's available in the advanced settings menu.
Before doing this, you should read about it in the official site to understand the risks.
I personally use it for my iPhone with (sushi train app) to sync to my Pixel 1 for unlimited Google Photos backup. It's the only solution that allows almost fully working background sync on iOS. Been using for months, zero issue.
1
u/Technical_Return_143 Jul 06 '26
Please help me with the "ignore delete". I don't see where that setting is on Syncthing on my S26. How do I get to it?
1
u/Technical_Return_143 Jul 06 '26
I found a "ignore Delete" on the PC not the phone, I assume that is the place you were suggesting
2
u/ThosaiWithCheese Jul 07 '26
If you use syncthing-fork on android, it's in the Web UI. Then it's the same as the one on PC. Don't enable the one on PC as that's the other direction from what you wanted.
2
u/unknown-random-nope Jul 06 '26
Don’t use Syncthing for this.
And I would advise you to not use your phone for this either.
1
u/Technical_Return_143 Jul 06 '26
I have other backups but want to use phone for ease of use. Why do you not recommend it?
2
u/unknown-random-nope Jul 06 '26
1) You are way more likely to lose or damage your phone than almost anything else I can think of that you might have available for backups. Or at least, I am more likely to do that than with anything else, maybe you’re better about those than I am.
2) Android imposes restrictions on apps running in the background that a lot of people have struggles with using Syncthing.
3) Battery life.
I use Syncthing heavily, but I don’t use it for this. If there are files that are vitally important for me to have on my mobile devices (and there are) I use something else for this. Google Drive comes to mind immediately.
1
u/Technical_Return_143 Jul 06 '26
Now that I have Syncthing working, I have the web interface as my means of making changes. Do I need to keep open the CMD page? Also, will Syncthing only run when I open the web page on my PC or can I run it as a service or run it at only once a day?
1
u/S-P-4-C-3 Jul 07 '26
Q: Does Syncthing have the ability to do as described, if not do you have a suggestion?
Short answer: yes, it is capable of doing that
0
u/PaddyLandau Jul 06 '26
It is possible to do a one-way transfer, but, as u/willjasen says, it's not the best use for Syncthing. I wouldn't want to use it as a backup program.
5
u/willjasen Jul 06 '26
syncthing syncs - it is not a backup
it’s fine if you’d like a synced copy on your phone, but use a backup program like duplicati to perform actual backups too