KDE Connect has become the most important tool I run locally, especially as a first app run.
- Supports Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, etc. Can be run as portable (no installation). Github repo
- Fully ported to Gnome as GSConnect
- Functional over WiFi, Bluetooth, and over VPN
- Equally useful to connect to someone to share a photo on a remote hike without service, etc. Install it now and profit later.
This tool becomes far more useful once you dig into the actual settings menu.
- Supports phones, tablets and computers
- Connects over VPN without issue.
- Share Clipboard between multiple devices
- Share files (allows for basic one-way sync over WiFi and Bluetooth)
- File system browser for sFTP
- Send Ping
- Find My Device (ring the thing until I say stop)
- Multimedia Control from lock screen: Youtube, Music, Media
- Remote media volume control
- Treat a device as keyboard or mouse
- SMS text messages, send and receive
- Supports any additional services running on the device ala Signal, etc.
- Telephony notifications of incoming calls
- Pause media/video during call
- Battery monitoring of connected devices aka cell phones
Once you enabled these additional options within the Settings menu your KDE Connect service will become an absolute beast. It actually makes Linux feels like you would expect on an iphone, where you of your mobile device without having to look at it.
- This makes KDE Connect excellent as the first app you install on a phone, in order to then set up everything else.
- Excellent fallback solution for sharing files/clipboards/locating devices over a network or bluetooth.
If you haven't, definitely consider looking a little deeper into KDE Connect settings. You'll no doubt find some options that are extremely helpful! Once it is on your machine you can always fallback to it to quickly share a photo or password between devices, or even between people connected directly over local wifi or bluetooth.