Best Current File Transfer Methods?

[vap0rtranz]

Is it a problem to take out the MicroSD card frequently to update files? I imagine it would be cumbersome and a bit hard on the hardware, but it requires the least knowledge if it works.

I don't think so.  I've done this for a few years and my only worry is the back plastic case will eventually crack from taking it on & off.  So yea not long-term solution.

Most convenient would be if the USB connection worked as it does with Android phones so you could just connect the Pinephone to a Linux computer and browse the phone's filesystem. (A Windows computer doesn't grok Linux filesystems unless you install an appropriate driver.)  USB connection doesn't work for file transfer though, at least not in Mobian.

+1.  I re-tried USB dongle the other day to see if latest Mobian Bookworm fixed this, but no.  A new NIC is detected by my laptop, not a filesystem.  Evidently this is by design?? https://wiki.mobian-project.org/doku.php...networking


@britelite here's one way you could use scp:

1. Find the phone's IP address.
1.a. If your OS uses NetworkManager (most do), the phone's IP address on Wifi is under: Settings -> Wi-Fi -> gear icon next to the Wi-Fi name -> Details -> IPv4 Address.
1.b. a home network IP address should be something like 192.168.1.50

2. Find where the SDCard has been mounted by your PinePhone's OS
2.a. If using Portfolio file browser app, the SDCard is listed under Devices.  Example: you may see "32 GB Volume" and also something like "/media/mobian/4F7C-4334" <-- you need this mountpoint later
2.b. if using Gnome File app, I believe it's basically the same as 2.a. but I can't check right now

3. Enable SSH daemon on phone
I believe each OS wiki has the steps you'll need.  For Mobian, the wiki's steps are at: https://wiki.mobian-project.org/doku.php...y&s[]=sshd
You may already know but just encase others don't: use your OS' steps not some generic GoogleFu howto.  Manjaro is Arch based so they use pacman to install.  PostmarketOS still uses runlevels instead of systemd to manage daemons.  Mobian is Debian based so uses apt to install & systemd services. Etc.

4. Connect SSH/SCP on laptop/desktop
4.a. if your laptop/desktop is Linux/Mac, then scp/sftp should be installed already.  scp/sftp/ssh commands are usually all included in an SSH package like OpenSSH.
4.b. scp syntax is simply: 'scp <LOCAL_PATH_TO_FILE> <USER>@<PINEPHONE_IP_ADDR>:<SDCARD_MOUNTPOINT>
4.b.i. that ^ SDCARD_MOUNTPOINT refers back to whatever you found in 2.a. / 2.b. 
4.b.ii. USER is OS specific.  Mobian's default user is simply "mobian".  PostmarketOS is "user" IIRC but I could be wrong.  Again check your OS wiki for sshd details.  Example:

Code:

scp ./my-fav-song.flac mobian@192.168.0.50:/media/mobian/4F7C-4334/

4.c. if your laptop/desktop is Windows, AFAIK scp is now installed by default (since Win10 at least) and usable by running cmd. Otherwise you have to install an app like Putty
4.c.i. do same scp command as above
4.d. if the SSH connection is working, you'll be prompted for your PinePhone's password. It's the same one you use when unlocking the phone.

HTHs