### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/1 "2026-05-07T16:29:54Z")
I have been searching, but can’t find a definitive answer to my question.
Is the Android Syncthing-Fork on [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid) the same app as the recommended syncthing-fork [on GitHub](https://github.com/researchxxl/syncthing-android)?
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.
---
### Author:  [@sedlund](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/sedlund)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/2 "2026-05-08T00:52:47Z")
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](https://f-droid.org/packages/com.chiller3.basicsync/) .
* * *
>
>
> Open and decentralized file synchronization - A Wrapper for Syncthin...
* * *
* * *
* * *
---
### Author:  [@mar2112](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/mar2112)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/3 "2026-05-08T01:01:05Z")
They are basically the same except for any changes required by Play Store.
---
### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 6:54am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/4 "2026-05-08T06:54:15Z")
> [@sedlund](#):
>
> Following the link…
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:
```plaintext
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?
---
### Author:  [@sedlund](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/sedlund)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 8:03am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/5 "2026-05-08T08:03:14Z")
> 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.
---
### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 10:13am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/6 "2026-05-08T10:13:23Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@sedlund](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/sedlund)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 10:30am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/7 "2026-05-08T10:30:04Z")
> 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.
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### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2026, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/8 "2026-05-08T10:46:45Z")
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!
---
### Author:  [@halteach](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/halteach)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/9 "2026-05-11T21:41:37Z")
I asked the developer about the future of the app:
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### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2026, 9:49am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/10 "2026-05-12T09:49:39Z")
Thank you, @halteach. I ended up installing the F-Droid version.
---
### Author:  [@Wank](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/Wank)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/11 "2026-05-13T03:10:22Z")
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.
---
### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2026, 9:17am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/12 "2026-05-13T09:17:05Z")
> [@Wank](#):
>
> 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.
---
### Author:  [@Wank](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/Wank)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2026, 9:35am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/13 "2026-05-13T09:35:16Z")
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 - Syncthing Cli](https://github.com/tenox7/stc)
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.
---
### Author:  [@paddylandau](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/paddylandau)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/14 "2026-05-13T12:21:45Z")
Thank you. I’ll stick to the F-Droid version; it seems to do exactly what I want, and it’s user-friendly.
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### Author:  [@Wank](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/Wank)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/16 "2026-05-14T01:39:10Z")
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.
---
### Author:  [@system](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/system)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/is-the-android-version-of-syncthing-fork-the-same-as-the-github-one/26636/17 "2026-06-13T01:39:35Z")
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