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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSyncthing keeps selected folders synchronized directly between devices you configure, without storing your files in a Syncthing cloud account. When two devices are online together, changes can pass between them; that includes edits and deletions. It is useful for keeping your own devices in step, but synchronization is not a substitute for an independent backup.
What Syncthing does—and what “without the cloud” means
Syncthing is an application for synchronizing files across multiple devices. You choose the folders and the devices; Syncthing replicates file creation, modification, and deletion between them. The files are exchanged between your machines when they are online at the same time, rather than uploaded to a Syncthing cloud storage account. Syncthing’s FAQ describes its core function as synchronizing files across multiple devices.
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“Without the cloud” does not mean that no supporting infrastructure is involved. Discovery services can help devices find one another, and relays can carry traffic when a direct connection is unavailable. Those services do not act as a hosted copy of your synced folders, but they can learn connection-related metadata. The files themselves travel between devices over encrypted connections.
Syncthing is a fit when you want to choose where your copies live and are willing to set up and maintain the participating devices. It does not provide a single hosted account that keeps files available while all of your devices are offline.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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Set up a basic connection between two devices
Install and start a Syncthing version on each device. The core application is available in community-maintained flavors as well as platform-specific packages; installation and background-operation details can differ by platform. The Getting Started guide walks through the initial setup.
- Open the local web interface. The web GUI is available on localhost by default. Use it on each device to manage devices and folders.
- Exchange device IDs. Each installation has a device ID generated using device keys. IDs do not need to be secret, but each side must be configured to recognize the other before a connection is established.
- Add the other device on both sides. In each device’s GUI, add the other device’s ID and confirm the connection as prompted. Adding a device on only one side does not complete the mutual setup.
- Choose a folder to share. Select an existing folder or create one, then share it with the other device. Accept or add that folder on the receiving device and choose its local path.
- Check the folder mode and status. Confirm that each device has the intended role before relying on the copies. The first scan and transfer depend on the data, devices, and connection.
The administrative GUI is local-only by default for security. Typical installations do not require remote GUI access. If you deliberately make it remotely reachable, the FAQ recommends authentication and HTTPS; do not expose an unauthenticated administrative interface to the network.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Choose a folder mode that matches your source of truth
Folder mode determines which changes travel in which direction. Use the mode that reflects where edits should originate, rather than treating the labels as a performance setting.
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| Folder mode | How changes flow | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Send & Receive | Changes are sent and received in both directions. | You expect to edit files on multiple devices and want those edits synchronized. |
| Send Only | The device sends its folder contents and is intended to remain the reference copy, rather than taking changes from other devices. | One device is the intended source of truth for the folder. |
| Receive Only | The device receives changes from the cluster but does not distribute local modifications. | A device should hold a replica without becoming a source of changes for other devices. |
Modes can include actions to override or revert changes. These can overwrite or delete files, so use them only after checking which device’s contents should win. The folder type documentation explains the modes and their effects.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why synchronization is not a backup
Syncthing’s FAQ answers “Is Syncthing my ideal backup application?” with “No.” If a file is modified or deleted on a participating device, that change can propagate to the others. A second synchronized copy is therefore not necessarily an independent recovery copy: the same unwanted change may reach every device.
Keep a separate backup process for recovery from accidental deletion, unwanted edits, device failure, or other loss. Syncthing’s file versioning can add a recovery layer, but it is not a replacement for that separate backup.
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- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What file versioning can and cannot recover
Versioning is off by default and is configured per folder on each device. It archives changes received from other devices; the versioning setting on a device does not archive changes made locally on that same device. Available strategies include a trash-can approach, simple retention, staggered retention, and handling through an external command. Each strategy has different retention behavior, so archived versions are not a promise that every past state will remain available forever.
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Syncthing protects device-to-device traffic with TLS and checks peer certificate fingerprints against the configured device list. This helps prevent an uninvited device from joining a connection. It does not make Syncthing anonymous or invisible on a network.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- 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 learn the device IDs needed to connect peers, but cannot inspect the encrypted file data.
- A network observer may be able to infer that Syncthing is in use. Encryption of file traffic does not conceal every kind of metadata or endpoint information.
- Someone who gains access to a device’s Syncthing TLS keys and configuration may be able to impersonate that device and access synced files.
Protect devices and their configuration folders accordingly. If a device is lost, revoke its access from the other devices. For confidential data, the security documentation advises keeping the configuration folder on encrypted storage when using disk encryption. See Syncthing’s security principles for the details.
Connections, ports, and slow transfers
Syncthing can connect directly when the network allows it. If devices cannot establish a direct route, a relay may help them connect, but relay transfers may perform worse than direct ones. Router or firewall configuration can improve direct connectivity; port forwarding is one option when appropriate for your network.
Under the default configuration, the firewall guide lists TCP 22000 and UDP 22000 for sync traffic, plus UDP 21027 for local discovery. If you use custom listen addresses, firewall rules need to match those settings. Avoid opening ports without understanding your network’s security requirements. Consult the firewall setup guide before changing router or firewall rules.
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If synchronization is slower than expected
- Check whether the devices connected directly or are using a relay.
- Check the network connection at both ends; the slower or less reliable path can constrain transfer.
- Consider endpoint CPU limits. Phones, Raspberry Pi systems, and NAS devices can be constrained while processing sync work.
- Account for the workload as well as the network: no single transfer speed can be assumed across different files, devices, and connection paths.
Syncthing’s FAQ recommends checking the connection type, network, and endpoint CPU when troubleshooting slow sync. A relay is not automatically a fault; it may be the connection available, with performance trade-offs.
Phones and iOS support
Syncthing’s official FAQ says there are no plans for official iOS support in the foreseeable future, citing iOS background-processing restrictions. It identifies third-party apps that attempt to work within those limits, but those are not official Syncthing releases. App availability, maintenance, and compatibility can change, so check the specific app’s current status before depending on it. See the official FAQ for the platform caveat.
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