This Linux app makes sharing files to Android a breeze – here’s how

Must. Connect. To. Linux.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Almost daily, I need to send a file from my Pop!_OS Linux desktop to my Android device. Over the years, I’ve found some solutions, but this latest option, called Packet, makes sending files from Linux to Android a breeze.

Packet works with Quick Share, and both desktop and mobile devices only have to be on the same wireless network to function. Once on the same network, sending a file to Android is simple. 

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Let me show you how to install and use Packet on Linux.

Installing Packet

What you’ll need: Packet is available as a Flatpak app, so you’ll need a Linux distribution with the universal package manager installed. 

You’ll also need an Android phone or tablet that includes Nearby Share (most versions of Android since Marshmallow) and a user with sudo privileges.

The first thing to do is open your default terminal window on your Linux machine.

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The installation of Packet can be done with a single command:

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flatpak install flathub io.github.nozwock.Packet

You’ll need to answer whether you want Packet installed system-wide or just for you. 

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Once you’ve made that choice, okay the installation and wait for it to finish. 

Finally, you can either log out and log back in (so Packet can be launched from your desktop menu), or you can run the app with the command:

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flatpak run io.github.nozwock.Packet

Using Packet

Now that you have Packet installed, here’s how you use it.

1. Connect to the same network

Before you use Packet, ensure both your desktop/laptop and your Android device are on the same wireless network.

2. Add your first file

From the main Packet window, click Add File and then, via your file manager, locate and select the file you want to add.

The Packet window is simple to use.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

3. Open Files

On your Android device, open Files and then tap Quick Share.

You’ll find the Quick Share button at the bottom-right corner of the Files window.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

4. Send the file

With Quick Share open on your Android device, it should then be listed in Packet. Click the name of your phone and then tap Accept on your Android device to accept the file being sent. 

Once the file has been sent, you can then delete it from Packet. If you don’t delete the file, the next time you go to send a file, it will be sent, along with the new file.

5. Receiving files

If you want to receive files from Android, it’s possible. However, you’ll have to make a configuration change. Click the three horizontal line menu and click Preferences. 

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In the Preferences window, scroll to the bottom and click the On/Off slider for Static Network Port until it’s in the On position. Once you’ve done that step, you’ll need to open the 9300 port for your firewall. 

If you’re using a Ubuntu-based distribution, that process is handled with the command:

sudo ufw allow 9300

You can change the static port number (but remember to open it on your firewall).

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

At this point, you can send files from Android to Linux, using the Quick Share feature. You’ll receive those files via Packet, and they’ll be saved in your ~/Downloads folder (which can be changed in Preferences).

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And that’s all there is to sending and receiving files between Linux and Android, with the help of Packet.