GoodSync Explorer for Android
GoodSync Explorer for Android has two main components:
Server makes your device discoverable from any other device running GoodSync Connect.
App registers your device in GoodSync Connect network
and serves files from your device to other GoodSync Connect desktops and devices.
Explorer allows you to Explore any remote computer running GoodSync Connect.
Explorer can copy (download / upload) files and folders between local device and remote device.
Install and Configure
- In Google Play search for GoodSync Explorer and install it on your device.
- Install GoodSync on your desktop or laptop computer, it can be on Windows or Mac OS.
- In GoodSync or GoodSync Explorer (on your desktop) setup GoodSync Connect account. It is done when you install GoodSync, or from Tools -> GoodSync Connect Setup.
- Start GoodSync Server on Android device and provide your GoodSync Connect credentials to it. Same GoodSync Connect UserID and Password must be used on all your desktops and all Android devices, so that your GoodSync on desktop can locate GoodSync Server on your Android device and connect to it. (Learn more about GoodSync Connect).
- In desktop GoodSync click Browse, go to GoodSync Connect, click Servers button and it will list your GoodSync Connect computers, among them your Android device.
- You can now sync with it, download files from it and upload files to it. You can also rename, delete and copy files and folders.
Internal and External Storage Partitions
The app needs write access to file storages on your device to be able to manage files and serve them to other GoodSync Connect devices.Click on the 'Local' navigation tab. It shows all available storage partitions. Click on any of them to browse it or grant write access.
Internal Device Storage
Before Android 6 the access to the Device Storage is granted on installation (required permissions are declared in app listing).
Since Android 6 the access to the Device Storage is explicitly requested in the app.
Since Android 11 the access to internal Device Storage, SD Cards and connected USB devices is granted by new 'All files access' permission.
External Storage Partitions
In Android 4.4.x Google made External SD cards read-only for all applications.
In Android 5.0 writeability of External SD cards has returned (kind of),
with additional steps required by OS, lower speed and some limitations.
Since Android 11 the access to internal Device Storage, SD Cards and connected USB devices is granted by new 'All files access' permission.
Writable Folders
How to grant access to a particular folder within some storage partition (for Android 10 and lower):
* Start GS Explorer for Android, click on the 'Local' navigation tab.
* Click menu icon and select 'Pick writable folder'.
* Choose the folder to be made writable.
* Now GS Server will serve this folder as 'SDCard_A5'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost?
A: GoodSync Explorer for Android is free for personal or non-profit use on your Android device.
In order to connect to it, you will need GoodSync for Windows or Mac, either the Free or Pro version.
Q: Do you sync files via server or locally?
A:
If both your desktop and your Android device are on the same local network
(they are if they are connected to the same WiFi router) then
all files are synced via your local network and they never go to any outside server.
GoodSync Mediator server only helps in locating your device, it does not perform any actual file transfer.
Q: Will it consume expensive cellular bandwidth?
A:
It will happen only if you are connected to a cellular data network and your desktop is not on the same local network as your Android device.
In this case traffic will be routed via cellular network and you will be charged for using your cellular data plan by your wireless provider.
Run GoodSync Server only when you are connected to via WiFi router or other local network means.
Q: Will I be able to access multiple SD cards?
A:
Yes, you will.
Starting with version 11.7.1, GoodSync Explorer for Android supports write access to multiple SD Cards.
However, if your card cannot be found, consider using Root File System mode, see below.
Q: How can I see the entire file system of Android device, starting from the root?
A:
GoodSync Explorer deliberately hides root file system, so that
it is more difficult for you to accidentally damage it and this make your device unusable.
Note that GoodSync Explorer gives no more access to Root FS than rooting your device. Some folders may be inaccessible, some file operations may be unsupported.
However, you can see the entire file system of the device this way:
- Go to Preferences in Context menu.
- Enable Preference 'Browsing Root FS'.
- Open Local Screen. Root FS is shown in list of storage partitions.
Q: How can I reduce battery consumption by the app?
A:
GoodSync Explorer for Android doesn't perform any background activity except serving files when Server is running.
This state is shown as non-dismissable notification of GoodSync Explorer in system Notification Panel.
While being in this state the app prevents your device from sleeping to provide stable connection to other GoodSync Connect devices.
Hence the Server should be running only when access to the device is actually required. There are some Preferences to start and stop Server automatically:
- Start Server regularly on timer.
- Stop Server sometime after last input connection.
- Stop Server after timeout.
- Run Server only while Wi-Fi network is used.
Version News
Click here for Version News.