Seamless File Synchronization with Syncthing on Raspberry Pi

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

The Raspberry Pi, with its compact size and versatility, has proven to be a powerful tool for a variety of projects. Among these, using the Raspberry Pi as a dedicated device for file synchronization stands out as an incredibly useful application. Syncthing, an open-source program designed for easy file syncing across multiple devices, can transform your Raspberry Pi into a central synchronization hub. This guide will walk you through installing Syncthing on your Raspberry Pi, enabling you to keep your important files in sync, whether you're managing personal documents, media, or data across a small network.

What is Syncthing?

Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy, and decentralized. It ensures your data is your own and that it is transmitted over an encrypted connection. Syncthing doesn't require using a third-party cloud hosting service; instead, it provides direct synchronization between devices. This setup means you have full control over where and how your data is stored and shared.

Preparing Your Raspberry Pi

Before installing Syncthing, make sure your Raspberry Pi is set up with Raspberry Pi OS and has an internet connection. It’s recommended to update your system to the latest packages:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade -y

Installing Syncthing

Syncthing can be installed on the Raspberry Pi through the official package repository. Follow these steps to add the repository and install Syncthing:

  1. Add the Syncthing Repository: First, import the release PGP keys:
`curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | sudo apt-key add -

Then, add the Syncthing repository to your sources list:

echo  "deb https://apt.syncthing.net/ syncthing stable"  | sudo  tee/etc/apt/sources.list.d/syncthing.list
  1. Install Syncthing: Update your package lists to include the newly added repository and install Syncthing:
sudo apt update sudo apt install syncthing

Configuring Syncthing to Start Automatically

For Syncthing to run effectively on your Raspberry Pi, it should start automatically upon boot. You can achieve this by enabling Syncthing as a system service:

  1. Enable the Syncthing Service: Systemd is used to manage services on Raspberry Pi OS. Enable Syncthing for your user account (typically, pi):
systemctl  enable  [email protected] systemctl start [email protected]
  1. Verify Syncthing is Running: You can check if Syncthing is running properly by accessing its web interface:
systemctl status [email protected]

Or by visiting http://your_raspberry_pi_ip:8384 in a web browser.

Accessing the Syncthing Web Interface

The Syncthing web interface is where you'll manage your devices and folders. By default, it's accessible on port 8384:

  • Open a browser and navigate to http://your_raspberry_pi_ip:8384.
  • The web interface allows you to add devices (such as your computer, phone, or another Raspberry Pi) by their Device ID.
  • You can also specify which folders to synchronize and configure various settings.

Conclusion

Installing Syncthing on your Raspberry Pi provides a powerful, decentralized solution to keep your files synchronized across multiple devices. Its ease of use, combined with the efficiency and flexibility of the Raspberry Pi, offers a perfect solution for personal file management or small-scale data synchronization needs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a reliable file syncing system that keeps your data accessible and secure, all under your control.