I have been searching, but can’t find a definitive answer to my question.
Is the Android Syncthing-Fork on Google Play Store the same app as the recommended syncthing-fork on GitHub?
My phone is pretty much locked down for security, so installing directly from GitHub, while possible, is rather more difficult than installing from Google Play Store, and I’m unsure if it will even update automatically in that case.
No it is not the same.
Following the link shows you that that GitHub repo is archived (retired) and is the latest release for that project in Dec 2025. Most likely no more updates.
If you care – personally I use BasicSync - BasicSync | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository .
They are basically the same except for any changes required by Play Store.
Argh! I can’t believe that I didn’t think to look there! I feel silly now.
Thank you for pointing that out.
However, what I see is nearly identical to yours: The dates and words match exactly, but all of the links that contain /nel0x/ differ.
Here is the screenshot from my desktop:
Just to be clear, this is the link that I have:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid
I’ve checked on three phones, with Android 10, 14 and 16 respectively, and they all show the same as my desktop.
It’s rather strange, because this is the only app shown under nel0x. What is going on?
com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid
This is the actual Android or Java package name.
I think you probably installed the version before Neelox set up his own repo when the cat friend repo got silently switched to a new owner. So, I think if you actually uninstalled the app on all your devices and disassociated or actually if you went to Google Play Store, not logged in as yourself, you would see the current links like I showed in my screenshot.
Thanks. I haven’t ever installed it on any device, though, so that can’t be the reason why. I also looked at the entry in a Guest profile (where, obviously, I’m not logged in), and I still get the same results; I can’t duplicate yours.
Still, the app looks like it’s safe to install.
I imagine that I could install the app directly from GitHub, but that isn’t (as far as I know) automatically updated when a new version is released.
the app looks like it’s safe to install.
I imagine that I could install the app directly from GitHub, but that isn’t (as far as I know) automatically updated when a new version is released.
Yes this is the last public release before the repo was silently transferred to a new owner (there is another thread about that).
But that Google Play version will not be updated either from what I can tell.
There is no Syncthing on Google Play that will update. F-Droid is a safe alternative store, and I’ve shown you the one I use that is getting regular updates (just yesteday even! 
)
Good luck.
Thank you!
I’ll have to decide between sideloading the GitHub or adding F-Droid. The first involves reducing (temporarily) the security profile on my phone. I’ve never even looked at F-Droid, so I don’t know how that works — it will be a new learning experience for me!
Thank you, @halteach. I ended up installing the F-Droid version.
Fdroid is a good choice. Having the actual app on your phone will enable you to receive notifications when updates to the software are available. The notification will automatically open the app and it’s one button to do the upgrade.
Not for me! My phone is locked down for security, so I have to temporarily open it, allow the upgrade, and lock it down again.
It’s straightforward, though.
It’s tough working with a phone that’s locked down. My Android phone has both the personal section and a work section and I have a lot of difficulty getting the work section to let me do what I want to do.
I do like and use the Samsung secure folder option.
Another tool you might like.
Stc is a command line tool for Syncthing. It can be used to quickly check status of Syncthing from a terminal / command line without need of a Web Browser. For example on a remote machine over ssh, without port forwarding or if you have large number of machines to query. Also run from a script, crontab, scheduled task, etc.
Thank you. I’ll stick to the F-Droid version; it seems to do exactly what I want, and it’s user-friendly.
Cool.
I have maybe four or five software programs installed on my phone from Fdroid and it’s very reliable whenever any of the software gets an update I get a notification in Android and I tap the notification it opens fdroid and you’ll see an update button.
Take care.
