How to properly set up one Android source folder with both a mirror and a permanent archive on Linux server?

[brko (Branislav Klocok)]

Hello, I need help designing the correct Syncthing setup for my use-case. I am running Syncthing 1.28.0 on openSUSE (root system service) and Syncthing-Fork on VollaOS (Android 13, de-Googled).

What I want to achieve

I have one folder on the phone:

• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera

I want to sync it to my Linux server in a way that gives me:

1. A real-time mirror of the phone’s files (so I can delete photos on the phone from the computer)

2. A permanent archive, where all files are kept even if deleted from the mirror or deleted on the phone

In short:

Phone folder → Server mirror (2-way sync)
Phone folder → Server archive (never delete anything)

What I tried

• I created a second folder on the server (“archive”) and checked “Share With → phone” when creating it.

• But the Android device never receives a folder offer, and the server-side folder remains visible only locally.

• The phone only shows the original folder, no request to choose a path.

• “Receive folder offers” is enabled.

• Syncthing is running (not paused).

• Both devices sync fine for the first folder.

My questions

1. Is it possible to sync a single source folder on the phone into two different server folders (mirror + archive) using Syncthing alone?

2. If not, what is the recommended Syncthing way to maintain a permanent backup of deleted files while keeping a live mirror that I can delete from?

3. Is File Versioning on the server the correct method for this scenario?

4. Why does the Android device never show the “new folder offered” dialog when the server shares a second folder with it?

   • Is this expected behavior because two folder IDs would point to the same path on Android?

   • Is there a log to check whether the offer was silently rejected?

Thank you — I would really appreciate guidance on the correct architecture for this setup.

[chaos]

I would recommend Syncthing for the first use case: “A real-time mirror of the phone’s files”.

I would then recommend some other backup solution for the second part, “A permanent archive.”

I’m not sure I can suggest a permanent archive solution, but I can come up with ideas for reasonable cloud or on-prem backup.

[sektor2sync]

You can use restic for a permanent archive/backup running on the central syncthing node. It allows headless operation e.g. doing hourly backups and therefore restores in case of accidental removal of files.

[brko (Branislav Klocok)]

So there is no way to have one folder on the phone backed up in 2 ways in 2 different folders on computer?

[mopani]

I have something like this.

1. Syncthing syncs all pictures to my home server (XigmaNAS), send/receive on both sides.
2. A periodic script copies the pictures to device/yyyy-mm directories in a different path using hardlinks, cp -ln so the files don’t take up extra space. If they are deleted from the phone then the hardlinked file is untouched.
3. This new path with device/yyyy-mm directories is synced to my laptop and desktop with Syncthing.

Works very well for me. I’ll see if I can make some time to publish a generic version of my script. Will reply here and link it when I do.