you could also use it to automate other tasks and keep your Linux computer and Android smartphone in sync.
What Is GSConnect?
GSConnect is a complete redevelopment of the KDE Connect program that comes bundled as part of theKDE Plasma desktop.
Lucas Gouveia / Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek | Best Buy
It allows you to pair your setup with your Android phone.
On KDE Plasma, KDE Connect is tightly integrated into the desktop.
It doesnt take much time, and the benefits significantly outweigh the effort.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
This is how to set it up.
The easiest way to check is to give a shot to install it.
If youve already got it, your package installer will tell you.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Chrome and Firefox users can install an optional add-on to share links from their browsers to their smartphones.
Youll find the add-on in theGoogle Chrome Web Storeand on theFirefox Add-ons site.
When its running, youll see a GSConnect entry in the System Menu.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Integration With Nautilus
Again, this is one for GNOME users only.
It adds a Send to your smartphone option to the menu when you right-click a file.
You should see the name of your setup in the list of available devices.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Tap “Request Pairing.”
A notification appears on your GNOME desktop.
poke the “Accept” button.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
On your smartphone, the app will populate with tiles and options.
Options that require extra permissions are listed at the bottom of the screen.
Tap each one that you wish to allow the app to control.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Its not immediately obvious, but there are more prefs tucked away.
Tap the three-dot menu and select “Plugin prefs.”
Youll see a list of options with sliders.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
This opens the GSConnect extension dialog.
Your connected smartphone will be listed.
Clicking on it takes you to the options for that machine.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Also, ensure that the Advanced > Clipboard slider is set to On.
That should be the default, but check anyway.
The options under the other category headings give you granular control over the permissions your smartphone will have.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
A long press selects a file and puts a tick in its lower left corner.
Tapping the “Select” option in the top right corner sends your selection to your system.
The “Send Clipboard” tile sends the contents of your smartphones clipboard to your machine.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Automatic Syncs
With these controls, youll have automatic syncing of your contacts and clipboard contents.
The directory holdsJSONfiles that are kept in sync with your Android phones contacts.
With clipboard syncing set up, the contents of your computers clipboard are sent to your smartphone automatically.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Every shortcut you enter is reported as being in use.
The bug has beenopen since December 2021, so dont expect a quick fix for this.
Just for the on-screen notifications, its worth it.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
The file transfers make life easy, but the clipboard and contacts syncs take it to another level.
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek
Dave McKay / How-To Geek