Synco App Setup Guide
How to install and configure the Synco tool on Android and desktop. Set up Bluetooth sync, Wi-Fi connection, and notification mirroring. Open-source on GitHub.
What is Synco? Android to PC Sync, Notification Mirroring & Bluetooth File Transfer
Synco is a free, open-source sync tool for Android and desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) that replaces cloud services like AirDroid. It mirrors Android notifications to your PC, handles calls from your desktop, transfers files from Android to PC wirelessly, and keeps your devices in sync over Bluetooth or your local Wi-Fi — no internet, no cloud, no accounts.
Built as a local-first alternative to AirDroid and scrcpy, Synco gives you Android notification mirroring, Bluetooth sync between Android and PC, wireless file transfer, media telemetry & control, and real-time call handling. All traffic is encrypted end-to-end (X25519 + AES-256-GCM) and never leaves your network. If you are searching for an AirDroid alternative, an open source sync tool, or an Android desktop sync solution, Synco is free forever — download the Synco app or get the source on GitHub.
Desktop Companion Tool Installation
The Synco Desktop Companion tool runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It acts as the server that your Android phone connects to over Bluetooth or your local network.
Prerequisites
- Java 17+ (JDK) installed on your system
- Git installed (to clone the repository)
- A Wi-Fi network that both your desktop and Android phone can access
Step 1: Clone the Repository
git clone https://github.com/dhruvesh07/Synco.git cd Synco
Step 2: Build and Launch
gradlew :desktop:installDist .\build\install\Synco\Synco.bat # Windows # or: build/install/Synco/bin/Synco # Linux/macOS
On first launch, the terminal displays your connection details:
Listening on Port: 8765 | PIN Code: 742189 Web Dashboard: http://localhost:8080?token=<32-char-base64url-token>
Android App Installation
The Android app connects to your Desktop Companion and mirrors notifications, calls, and media controls.
Option 1: Download APK (Recommended)
- Download the latest APK from the Download page
- Open the APK file on your Android device
- If prompted, enable Install from unknown sources in your device settings
- Complete the installation and open the Synco app
Option 2: Build from Source
gradlew :app:assembleDebug # APK output: app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk
Transfer the APK to your Android device and install it.
Required Android Permissions
Synco requires specific permissions to mirror notifications, handle calls, and control media. These are all processed locally — no data leaves your network.
1. Notification Access
Required to mirror app notifications to your desktop. Without this, Synco cannot forward incoming messages, alerts, or media updates.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Special app access > Notification access
- Enable notification access for Synco
- Select which apps you want to mirror notifications from within the Synco app
2. Phone & Call Handling
Allows Synco to detect incoming calls and display caller information on your desktop. Synco does not record or transmit call audio.
- Grant Phone permission when prompted
- Enable InCallService via Settings > Accessibility > Installed apps > Synco
- This enables incoming call notifications and caller ID on your desktop
3. Media & Audio
Allows Synco to read current media playback state (track title, artist, album art) and control playback remotely.
- Grant Notifications permission for media apps (Spotify, YouTube Music, etc.)
- Synco reads media notification data — no microphone access is used
4. Nearby Devices / Wi-Fi
Required to discover and maintain the connection to your Desktop Companion over the local network.
- Grant Nearby devices permission (Android 12+)
- Keep Wi-Fi enabled during use
- For hotspot mode, keep the hotspot active on your phone
5. Battery Optimization (Important)
To prevent your phone from killing the Synco background service, disable battery optimization for Synco.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Synco > Battery
- Select Unrestricted (or disable battery optimization)
- This ensures Synco stays connected even when the phone is idle
Connect Android App via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
Choose one of two connection methods to pair your Android phone with the Synco desktop tool. Both support Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.
Option A: Same Wi-Fi Network (with Bluetooth fallback)
- Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi router
- Find your desktop IP address:
- Windows: ipconfig (look for IPv4 Address)
- macOS/Linux: ip a or ifconfig
- On the Android Synco app, enter your desktop IP address and port 8765
- Enter the PIN code displayed in the Desktop Companion terminal
- Wait for the secure handshake to complete
Option B: Phone Hotspot
- Enable Hotspot on your Android phone
- Connect your desktop to the phone's hotspot Wi-Fi network
- The desktop will receive an IP in the 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x range
- Run the Desktop Companion on your desktop
- In the Android app, enter your desktop IP and port 8765
- Enter the PIN code and complete pairing
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
- Connection refused: Ensure the Desktop Companion is running and the firewall allows port 8765
- Pairing fails: Verify the PIN code matches exactly. Restart both the desktop app and Android app
- Cannot find desktop: Check that both devices are on the same network. Try pinging the desktop IP from your phone
- Connection drops: Disable battery optimization for Synco on your phone (see Permissions section)
- High latency: Switch to the same Wi-Fi band (both on 5GHz) or use hotspot for direct connection
Synco Features: Notification Mirroring, Bluetooth Sync & More
Mirror Android Notifications to PC
Forward WhatsApp, Slack, SMS, and app alerts to your desktop in real time with Android notification mirroring. Read and act on notifications without touching your phone. See how to enable notification access.
Bluetooth Sync Android to PC
Pair your phone and desktop with Bluetooth LE for always-on, low-power sync of notifications, battery telemetry, and proximity status. Set it up in the connection guide.
Transfer Files from Android to PC Wirelessly
Move photos, videos, and documents between Android and PC over your local Wi-Fi without USB cables or cloud uploads. This is a free, open source answer to AirDroid for wireless file transfer.
Handle Android Calls from Your PC
See incoming calls and caller details on your desktop, answer or decline from your keyboard — a lightweight alternative to AirDroid's call features with zero cloud dependency. Learn more in the FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Synco really free? Any hidden costs?
Yes, Synco is 100% free and open source. There are no subscriptions, no in-app purchases, and no premium tiers. It always will be.
Does Synco work over the internet?
No. Synco is designed for local network use only (Wi-Fi or hotspot). This ensures zero latency, complete privacy, and no dependency on internet connectivity. Both devices must be on the same local network.
Is my data secure? Can anyone intercept my connection?
Synco uses X25519 Diffie-Hellman key exchange with Ed25519 identity signatures and AES-256-GCM encryption for all data in transit. Every session generates a unique cryptographic key. Additionally, the connection is confined to your local network, making remote interception impossible without physical network access.
Do I need root access on my Android device?
No. Synco works on any Android device running Android 8.0+ (API 26+) without root. All required permissions are grantable through standard Android settings.
Does Synco drain my phone battery?
Synco is optimized for low power consumption. The foreground service uses a 5-second heartbeat interval with minimal data transfer. To maximize battery life, disable battery optimization for Synco (so the OS does not kill it), and the app will use negligible power during background operation.
Can I use Synco with multiple devices?
Yes. The Desktop Companion can handle multiple Android clients simultaneously. Each client goes through the secure pairing process independently.
How do I update Synco?
For the Android app, download the latest APK from the Download page and install it over the existing version. For the desktop app, pull the latest changes from the GitHub repository and rebuild: git pull && gradlew :desktop:installDist.
Why does the Android app need notification access?
Notification access is required to read and forward incoming notifications from apps like WhatsApp, Slack, and your music player to your desktop. This data is transmitted locally over your Wi-Fi network and never leaves your home. Without this permission, Synco cannot mirror notifications.
Can I use Synco with iOS instead of Android?
Currently, Synco supports only Android as the mobile client. iOS support may be considered in future releases.
I found a bug or have a feature request. How do I report it?
Open an issue on the GitHub Issues page. Include your device model, Android version, and a description of the problem. For feature requests, describe the use case and how it would benefit the Synco experience.
How does Synco compare to AirDroid?
Unlike AirDroid (proprietary, cloud-dependent, subscription-based), Synco is 100% free, open-source, and operates entirely over your local network with no cloud dependency. Synco uses end-to-end encryption with X25519 + AES-256-GCM, supports Bluetooth LE for low-power notification mirroring, and requires no account registration. Download Synco free and compare.
Synco vs scrcpy — what's the difference?
scrcpy mirrors your Android screen to desktop via USB/ADB. Synco focuses on background synchronization: notification mirroring, media control, and call handling over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi without a USB cable. Synco also supports Bluetooth LE for always-on low-power connectivity. Both are open-source and complementary — use scrcpy for screen mirroring and Synco for persistent device sync. Get the Synco app and check the code on GitHub.
Synco vs Syncthing — which one should I use?
Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization platform. Synco is a device synchronization tool focused on notification mirroring, media telemetry, and call handling rather than file sync. They serve different purposes: use Syncthing for file syncing and Synco for real-time device state synchronization. Both are open-source and privacy-first. Download Synco to complement your Syncthing setup.