I just tested using Seedvault with Syncthing and to me it feels like a great setup. I still need to configure it for all time use, but so far, first test seems like everything works fine. It allows me to use a connected service where my data isn't just one place, without needing physical things like a USB flash drive, etc, but without needing to pay for the cloud, and dealing with bad speeds, especially with something that can be as demanding as device backups.
- Your device essentially has half the storage, since you'll need to keep your backups inside your phone, so there's redundant data there.
- This is not a fully tested setup, and you may lose data with it.
- Whatever data is usually visible to someone even without the passphrase, will still be the case here, unless you set up Syncthing encryption.
- You'll need to manually summon the restore command after setting up the device using the dialer.
- Multiple profiles can, and will be tricky.
- No need to pay for a cloud service.
- Extremely fast sync, P2P.
- Controlled by you.
- More storage with your own drive!
Configure Seedvault like you'd usually do, and use the device's local storage to store the backup.
Assuming you have already configured both clients to connect to each other, the next step is to create a folder which will contain your Seedvault folder.
In order to add the Seedvault folder to Syncthing, you'll need to go into the device's main internal shared storage (where folders like DCIM,
Android... are) and with the three dots at the top right select so it shows hidden files. Now, .SeedVaultAndroidBackup
.
When creating the folder on your mobile device, make sure to keep it 'Send only'. When adding the folder to the receiving device, make sure to keep it to 'Receive only'.
The restoring process is a bit more complicated, but still fine.
You'll need to copy that Seedvault synced folder into your device again, which you'll only be able to do after you finished the setup with the Setup Wizard, via USB, or if you randomly choose to put it in a WebDAV service.
After copying the folder to your device, you'll need to rename the folder to .SeedVaultAndroidBackup
so it can be found by Seedvault again.
To now trigger the restore screen again, you'll need to use a hidden menu which consists of writing *#*#RESTORE#*#*
(replace the letters with the numbers that have them on the dialer).
Now, select to restore from your device's local storage, and there you have it.
Because storage is separated depending on the profile, this is where you'd hit issues. I recommend having separate Seedvault folders and not try to merge anything, it might be safe but I haven't tested. You want these to be controlled solely by the right things.