# How to properly set up one Android source folder with both a mirror and a permanent archive on Linux server?
**URL:** https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703
**Category:** Android
**Created:** [November 18, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703 "2025-11-18T22:22:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@brko](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/brko)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703/1 "2025-11-18T22:22:20Z")
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:
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```plaintext
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?
Thank you — I would really appreciate guidance on the correct architecture for this setup.
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### Author:  [@chaos](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/chaos)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703/2 "2025-11-19T00:39:58Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@brko](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/brko)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703/4 "2025-11-19T23:02:26Z")
So there is no way to have one folder on the phone backed up in 2 ways in 2 different folders on computer?
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### Author:  [@mopani](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/mopani)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703/5 "2025-11-20T23:19:20Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@system](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/system)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/how-to-properly-set-up-one-android-source-folder-with-both-a-mirror-and-a-permanent-archive-on-linux-server/25703/6 "2025-12-20T23:19:47Z")
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