Sharing files between your smartphone and laptop
Using unison to automatically sync between GNU/Linux and the iPhone
Sep. 16, 2020 - Willem L. Middelkoop
In order to optimise my workflow, I was looking for a way to seamlessly access the same files on both my computer and smartphone. This is useful to when you want to quickly send files from your computer using your smartphone through various messaging apps and vice versa. Read along to find out how I did it.
Continue reading![Accessing files using the native iOS Files app enables you to use many different apps and shortcuts](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_04_Accessing-files-using-the-native-iOS-Files-app-enables-you-to-use-many-different-apps-and-shortcuts_500px.jpg)
![My cron command is wrapped in a check to prevent starting synchronisation when it is already running](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_02_My-cron-command-is-wrapped-in-a-check-to-prevent-starting-synchronisation-when-it-is-already-running_500px.png)
![Download and configure Secure ShellFish to connect to my “WillemCloud”](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_03_Download-and-configure-Secure-ShellFish-to-connect-to-my-WillemCloud_500px.jpg)
![My Unison profile with parameters for the ‘WillemCloud’](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_01_My-Unison-profile-with-parameters-for-the-WillemCloud_500px.png)
![Synchronising files between my tablet and iPhone: the NAS server act as an intermediate station; overcoming differences in protocol and connection](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_00_Synchronising-files-between-my-tablet-and-iPhone-the-NAS-server-act-as-an-intermediate-station-overc_500px.png)
![The same files on both my smartphone and tablet - it just works!](/blog/2020-09-16_syncing-files-seamlessly-between-smartphone-and-tablet/images/i_05_The-same-files-on-both-my-smartphone-and-tablet-it-just-works_500px.jpg)