8 ms·

Show HN: It's 2022 and sharing files from Android to Mac is still a pain

28 points by alexstyl 4y ago

I always found sharing files from my Android phone to my Mac a pain. I wanted to have a way to share my photos, videos, documents etc from my phone directly to my MBP, without having to upload anything to the 'cloud' or some messaging app. Those ways tend to be less secure and fairly slow. Because of this I made this little app you see on the video that enables you to share the files directly from your phone to your laptop. I have been using it for a while now for personal use and it works really well! The app was recently made available to everyone. You can try it out for free via https://ubidrop.com Happy to answer any questions you might have.

amitripping 4y ago
why can't you just use https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ ?
ggm 4y ago
Its remarkable how a-social "ecology" owners are, when it comes to making it easy to do things into or across ecologies. So, I can imagine an iPhone and a Mac do this better, but my goodness, the lack of motivation to make it simple for an Android and a Mac. or rinse and repeat for an iPhone and a chromebook. "not my problem" and "hey, what if I said we sell more units inside our ecology if we make this a walled garden" come to mind.
- alexstyl 4y ago
  100%. In a perfect world, all devices would play nice together.
  - feet 4y ago
    Well that's what standards are for, but try telling that to Apple
    - fragmede 4y ago
      927
      - woojoo666 4y ago
        What is this magic number? This feels like trolling
        fragmede 4y ago
        https://xkcd.com/927/ https://xkcd.com/927/ comes up every time the word standards is mentioned to the point that I figured the number would be enough
johncoltrane 4y ago
Not to rain on your parade but Bluetooth has been solving that very problem across every OSes for _many_ years without having to install anything.
- alexstyl 4y ago
  if that was true, why do people keep sending files to themselves via email, whatsapp and telegram?
  - johncoltrane 4y ago
    I think it has been demonstrably true for maybe a good decade and half. As to why some people use alternative methods… maybe because they like it like that? Or maybe because they can't use Bluetooth for some reason? Or maybe they don't know better? Ask them. Select a file, tap on "share", tap on "bluetooth", choose a device, wait a few seconds, done.
    - rock3r 4y ago
      Personally, I don't use Bluetooth for these reasons: 1. It's clunky 2. It's slow 3. It's unreliable Anything that has a better UX than Bluetooth file sharing is a win for me.
      - johncoltrane 4y ago
        Well, I use Bluetooth because it has been part of every "device" I've owned in the last 15 years or so. Is it good for moving large files? Nope. Is it good for moving a handful of pics or videos between two devices? Yep. Hell, I'm even listening to my Mac's music on the TV via Bluetooth as I write this.
    - izerik 4y ago
      Have you actually tried to send files via bluetooth from Android -> MacOS or Android -> iOS? I can't make it work, the file just doesn't get through.
longnguyen 4y ago
It’s amazing to see you’re building and growing Ubidrop, Alex. I spent a few months using Android and then went back to iPhone because it’s so hard to get Android OS working with MacOS. So many incompatible or non-smooth integrations between them. Glad to see Ubidrop exist. I bet it will improve life of an Android user a lot. Congrats on the launch. Dan
- alexstyl 4y ago
  Thanks Dan. Integrations between Android and MacOS are really not great, and I think that's why many people are excited about Ubidrop so far.
izerik 4y ago
I feel your pain! Currently using Snapdrop[1] but will check out Ubidrop. [1] https://snapdrop.net https://snapdrop.net
- tgamma 4y ago
  I used Tailscale‘s Taildrop [1] which did the trick for me. [1] https://tailscale.com/kb/1106/taildrop https://tailscale.com/kb/1106/taildrop
notRobot 4y ago
Sharing files from Android to any computer is a pain. If you ever need to transfer lots of files (for example while making backups), my recommendation is to use an FTP server app on your phone and then download the files on your PC (explorer.exe has native FTP support but use can use Filezilla or a different FTP client too).
- goosedragons 4y ago
  I don't find using MTP on Windows or Linux that big a pain. It is a little more touchy than Mass Storage mode but compared to the dumpster fire of iOS and iTunes it may as well be perfection. Just plug in the cable and go pretty much. Of course Apple doesn't support it on Mac OS...
- dagw 4y ago
  Sharing files from Android to any computer is a pain. How so? On Windows and Linux I just plug it in and it shows up in my file browser. Mac is the only one that is difficult. Sharing files from an iPhone to a computer on the other hand...
  - feet 4y ago
    This has also been my experience. I have literally never had problems moving files between my phone and computer with both Linux and windows. The only OS I don't use is MacOS/iOS
  - fragmede 4y ago
    On that hand, if the computer is running MacOS it's easy, just use Airdrop. Vendor lock-in has its upsides!
    - cantSpellSober 4y ago
      That's incredibly slow compared to usb
      - fragmede 4y ago
Existenceblinks 4y ago
Your app is appealing since I use Signal to send my files .. the hustle is having to download from Signal desktop. And for image files I have to change ext to .zip in order to prevent compression.
Vibgyor5 4y ago
Your app is appealing and kudos for building it. But I have 3 questions: 1. How is it different from using KDE Connect (Android) -> Soduto (Mac)? What is it doing differently? 2. Can I use this app offline that is, without internet connection. If yes, then how? 3. I see that this is a paid app. Are you planning to add other features too? (Find my phone, browsing files remotely on my phone, incoming call notifications etc.)
- alexstyl 4y ago
  thanks! 1. Ubidrop focuses on getting the technical bits out of the way. The focus is sharing files without having to signin, exchange pin codes or do any sort of pairing. 2. The app works 100% offline. All files are transferred over your local network and nothing is shared over the Internet. 3. Right now I am focusing on nailing the file sharing experience. Not sure what I will focus on next. Those things change as the project evolves.
  - Vibgyor5 4y ago
    On point 2. How do I make it work without internet? App doesn't detect Mac as they're not on same Wifi (there is no wifi)
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
    - alexstyl 4y ago
      I see what you mean. It required both devices to be on the same WiFi for the time being. Making the app work without the need of WiFi is one of the most requested features and in the todo list
      - Vibgyor5 4y ago
        It'd be a big differentiator: look forward to this being rolled out.
    - 4y ago
wanderingmind 4y ago
For those who can hack around a bit, Tailscale + KDEConnect can help you to send files from Android to any device (and vice versa) even when not in same network.
charleshan 4y ago
For those who are looking for an open source alternative, you can use Syncthing to share and sync files without uploading anything to the cloud.
microflash 4y ago
I use VLC on iOS to transfer files from Android and PC. VLC offers a handy network share which basically starts an HTTP server. The devices on the same network can then access that URL and from there onwards it is just drag and drop of folders and files.
anta40 4y ago
I'm testing Ubidrop on Pixel 3 (latest OS update installed). "App update is needed to send to that device". Hmm what, so I'm not installing the latest APK?
- alexstyl 4y ago
  It sounds like you are using an older version of the Android app. The latest one is 1.10.0 and you can get it from https://www.ubidrop.com https://www.ubidrop.com (until Google approves the play store one)
- alexstyl 4y ago
  That's fixed in the latest desktop version. Get it from ubidrop.com
Jemm 4y ago
Apple is an anti-consumer company. They make choices designed to force users to stay within the ecosystem.
rakoo 4y ago
I use Syncthing with a "Documents" folder for that. All the stuff I want to keep goes there. Photos go in a different folder that is also synced with Syncthing. When I want to send a file, I just put it in Documents. Works over WiFi or internet. Bonus: the file is replicated on a server, so it's available and in an easy to find location.
GaryNumanVevo 4y ago
I've just been using AnyDrop.io, no application, just a website that works over local wifi to share files. I use it a ton if I can't use airdrop.
- Alifatisk 4y ago
  Sounds like snapdrop.net
mdni007 4y ago
That's because Apple has specially designed it to be difficult
yankexe 4y ago
Have been using Snapdrop (https://snapdrop.net https://snapdrop.net), but product demo on the homepage of ubidrop looks compelling.
bradknowles 4y ago
Is SyncThing not available on Android? Or something compatible with it?
aperubotla 4y ago
This is pretty cool! Transferring files from Android -> Mac is definitely a pain point for me and I'm sure many others. Nice work!

28 points by alexstyl 4y ago

amitripping 4y ago

why can't you just use https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ ?

ggm 4y ago

Its remarkable how a-social "ecology" owners are, when it comes to making it easy to do things into or across ecologies. So, I can imagine an iPhone and a Mac do this better, but my goodness, the lack of motivation to make it simple for an Android and a Mac. or rinse and repeat for an iPhone and a chromebook. "not my problem" and "hey, what if I said we sell more units inside our ecology if we make this a walled garden" come to mind.

alexstyl 4y ago
100%. In a perfect world, all devices would play nice together.
- feet 4y ago
  Well that's what standards are for, but try telling that to Apple
  - fragmede 4y ago
    927
    - woojoo666 4y ago
      What is this magic number? This feels like trolling
      - fragmede 4y ago
        https://xkcd.com/927/ https://xkcd.com/927/ comes up every time the word standards is mentioned to the point that I figured the number would be enough

johncoltrane 4y ago

Not to rain on your parade but Bluetooth has been solving that very problem across every OSes for _many_ years without having to install anything.

alexstyl 4y ago
if that was true, why do people keep sending files to themselves via email, whatsapp and telegram?
- johncoltrane 4y ago
  I think it has been demonstrably true for maybe a good decade and half. As to why some people use alternative methods… maybe because they like it like that? Or maybe because they can't use Bluetooth for some reason? Or maybe they don't know better? Ask them. Select a file, tap on "share", tap on "bluetooth", choose a device, wait a few seconds, done.
  - rock3r 4y ago
    Personally, I don't use Bluetooth for these reasons: 1. It's clunky 2. It's slow 3. It's unreliable Anything that has a better UX than Bluetooth file sharing is a win for me.
    - johncoltrane 4y ago
      Well, I use Bluetooth because it has been part of every "device" I've owned in the last 15 years or so. Is it good for moving large files? Nope. Is it good for moving a handful of pics or videos between two devices? Yep. Hell, I'm even listening to my Mac's music on the TV via Bluetooth as I write this.
  - izerik 4y ago
    Have you actually tried to send files via bluetooth from Android -> MacOS or Android -> iOS? I can't make it work, the file just doesn't get through.

longnguyen 4y ago

It’s amazing to see you’re building and growing Ubidrop, Alex. I spent a few months using Android and then went back to iPhone because it’s so hard to get Android OS working with MacOS. So many incompatible or non-smooth integrations between them. Glad to see Ubidrop exist. I bet it will improve life of an Android user a lot. Congrats on the launch. Dan

alexstyl 4y ago
Thanks Dan. Integrations between Android and MacOS are really not great, and I think that's why many people are excited about Ubidrop so far.

izerik 4y ago

I feel your pain! Currently using Snapdrop[1] but will check out Ubidrop. [1] https://snapdrop.net https://snapdrop.net

tgamma 4y ago
I used Tailscale‘s Taildrop [1] which did the trick for me. [1] https://tailscale.com/kb/1106/taildrop https://tailscale.com/kb/1106/taildrop

notRobot 4y ago

Sharing files from Android to any computer is a pain. If you ever need to transfer lots of files (for example while making backups), my recommendation is to use an FTP server app on your phone and then download the files on your PC (explorer.exe has native FTP support but use can use Filezilla or a different FTP client too).

goosedragons 4y ago
I don't find using MTP on Windows or Linux that big a pain. It is a little more touchy than Mass Storage mode but compared to the dumpster fire of iOS and iTunes it may as well be perfection. Just plug in the cable and go pretty much. Of course Apple doesn't support it on Mac OS...
dagw 4y ago
Sharing files from Android to any computer is a pain. How so? On Windows and Linux I just plug it in and it shows up in my file browser. Mac is the only one that is difficult. Sharing files from an iPhone to a computer on the other hand...
- feet 4y ago
  This has also been my experience. I have literally never had problems moving files between my phone and computer with both Linux and windows. The only OS I don't use is MacOS/iOS
- fragmede 4y ago
  On that hand, if the computer is running MacOS it's easy, just use Airdrop. Vendor lock-in has its upsides!
  - cantSpellSober 4y ago
    That's incredibly slow compared to usb
    - fragmede 4y ago

Existenceblinks 4y ago

Your app is appealing since I use Signal to send my files .. the hustle is having to download from Signal desktop. And for image files I have to change ext to .zip in order to prevent compression.

Vibgyor5 4y ago

Your app is appealing and kudos for building it. But I have 3 questions: 1. How is it different from using KDE Connect (Android) -> Soduto (Mac)? What is it doing differently? 2. Can I use this app offline that is, without internet connection. If yes, then how? 3. I see that this is a paid app. Are you planning to add other features too? (Find my phone, browsing files remotely on my phone, incoming call notifications etc.)

alexstyl 4y ago
thanks! 1. Ubidrop focuses on getting the technical bits out of the way. The focus is sharing files without having to signin, exchange pin codes or do any sort of pairing. 2. The app works 100% offline. All files are transferred over your local network and nothing is shared over the Internet. 3. Right now I am focusing on nailing the file sharing experience. Not sure what I will focus on next. Those things change as the project evolves.
- Vibgyor5 4y ago
  On point 2. How do I make it work without internet? App doesn't detect Mac as they're not on same Wifi (there is no wifi)
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - alexstyl 4y ago
    I see what you mean. It required both devices to be on the same WiFi for the time being. Making the app work without the need of WiFi is one of the most requested features and in the todo list
    - Vibgyor5 4y ago
      It'd be a big differentiator: look forward to this being rolled out.
  - 4y ago

wanderingmind 4y ago

For those who can hack around a bit, Tailscale + KDEConnect can help you to send files from Android to any device (and vice versa) even when not in same network.

charleshan 4y ago

For those who are looking for an open source alternative, you can use Syncthing to share and sync files without uploading anything to the cloud.

microflash 4y ago

I use VLC on iOS to transfer files from Android and PC. VLC offers a handy network share which basically starts an HTTP server. The devices on the same network can then access that URL and from there onwards it is just drag and drop of folders and files.

anta40 4y ago

I'm testing Ubidrop on Pixel 3 (latest OS update installed). "App update is needed to send to that device". Hmm what, so I'm not installing the latest APK?

alexstyl 4y ago
It sounds like you are using an older version of the Android app. The latest one is 1.10.0 and you can get it from https://www.ubidrop.com https://www.ubidrop.com (until Google approves the play store one)
alexstyl 4y ago
That's fixed in the latest desktop version. Get it from ubidrop.com

Jemm 4y ago

Apple is an anti-consumer company. They make choices designed to force users to stay within the ecosystem.

rakoo 4y ago

I use Syncthing with a "Documents" folder for that. All the stuff I want to keep goes there. Photos go in a different folder that is also synced with Syncthing. When I want to send a file, I just put it in Documents. Works over WiFi or internet. Bonus: the file is replicated on a server, so it's available and in an easy to find location.

GaryNumanVevo 4y ago

I've just been using AnyDrop.io, no application, just a website that works over local wifi to share files. I use it a ton if I can't use airdrop.

Alifatisk 4y ago
Sounds like snapdrop.net

mdni007 4y ago

That's because Apple has specially designed it to be difficult

yankexe 4y ago

Have been using Snapdrop (https://snapdrop.net https://snapdrop.net), but product demo on the homepage of ubidrop looks compelling.

bradknowles 4y ago

Is SyncThing not available on Android? Or something compatible with it?

aperubotla 4y ago

This is pretty cool! Transferring files from Android -> Mac is definitely a pain point for me and I'm sure many others. Nice work!