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.

A Linux laptop with Tux sitting on the keyboard holding an Android phone

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.

The KDE Connect app in Google Play, on an Android phone

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.

The GSConnect GNOME extension webpage

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.

The GSConnect entry in the GNOME desktop 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.

The GSConnect “Send to smartphone” option in the Files right-click menu

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

Tap “Request Pairing.”

A notification appears on your GNOME desktop.

poke the “Accept” button.

The Pair New Device option in the KDE Connect Android app

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.

The Request Pairing button in the KDE Connect Android app

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.

The GNOME desktop notification for the KDE Connect Android app pairing request

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.

The KDE Connect Android app after pairing with a Linux computer

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.

The plugin Settings option in the KDE Connect Android app’s three-dot menu

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.

The Plugin Settings list in the KDE Connect Android app

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.

The Moble Settings option in the GSConnect menu

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.

The GSCOnnect GNOME extension settings dialog

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

The file transfers make life easy, but the clipboard and contacts syncs take it to another level.

The Clipboard settings in the GSConnect GNOME extension settings dialog

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

The Clipboard setting in the Advanced section of the GSConnect GNOME extension settings dialog

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

The file location selection menu in the KDE Connect Android app

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

Two images selected for transfer in the KDE Connect Android app

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

In the KDE Connect Android app, the “send” button is labelled Select

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

Selecting the Google account address book in the GNOME COntacts app

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

Receiving the contents of a computer’s clipboard on an Android smartphone

Dave McKay / How-To Geek

The keyboard shortcut screen in the GSConnect GNOME extension settings dialog

Dave McKay / How-To Geek