Best way to transfer files and messages between Android phone and linux laptop locally (no cloud)? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 days ago by Osm@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Hi everyone,

I currently use Telegram to send photos, PDFs and text messages between my Android phone and my Debian laptop. It works, but everything goes through a third-party server, and I would like a fully local, privacy-friendly alternative.

What I need: Send photos, PDFs and other files in both directions (phone ↔ laptop) Send short text messages or clipboard content Works locally

Thanks for any advice and experience!

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[-] nafzib@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

KDE Connect is phenomenal! I freaking love that when I copy text on my PC or Phone it shows up on the clipboard of the other one. And being able to take real screenshots with Print Screen, crop them, and send them straight to my phone with like 3 clicks instead of taking an awkward photo of my monitor when I'm trying to text someone about something on my computer is perfect.

[-] Zak@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

being able to take real screenshots with Print Screen... when I’m trying to text someone about something on my computer is perfect.

I'm surprised by this workflow instead of sending the text from the computer (using KDE connect if "text" means SMS in this context).

[-] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

i just wish it worked with Signal, GVoice. my cell # is more of a placeholder than an in-use communication endpoint.

[-] Zak@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Those have a desktop app and a web version, respectively. I can see the appeal of having everything in one place, but you can already use Signal and GVoice from your PC.

[-] nafzib@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

I did mean SMS, yes. I guess I just haven't fully explored the options of the app yet and just saw the "send to phone" option and ran with it. Lol

this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2026

94 points (97.0% liked)

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