GSConnect: Android and Ubuntu 18.10 Linux Integration

Word from the Tech Bench is that Ubuntu 18.10 Will Include Android Integration...

Heeey Techies, it's been crazy trying to integrate/sync your Android smartphone with your computer for years. Samsung tried it with the kies but as new Samsung phones came also came the confusion and incompatibility of versions with Kies versions. Daamn! That usually used to piss me off. I downloaded several Android apps that allow Windows to Android phone integration with no good luck--I gave up. Some laptops do come pre-installed with Ubuntu, most people remove it and install Windows, I prefer keeping it and installing Windows on the side so as to have both. Here's one reason why...

Now, with the Cosmic Cuttlefish -- Ubuntu 18.10 Linux, you can sync the clipboard or notifications, browse files wirelessly and much more other great features between your Android device and your desktop. Lets check it out...
GSConnect developed by Andy Holmes is a complete KDE Connect protocol implementation written in GJS (Gnome JavaScript) for Gnome Shell. GSConnect doesn't need KDE Connect or any KDE dependencies on your Gnome desktop but on your Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook KDE Connect Android app is still required. Your desktop only requires Gnome Shell 3.24 or newer i.e if you are not using Ubuntu 18.10 Linux.

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Just recently, on 26th of April 2018 Ubuntu 18.04 got released and Ubuntu desktop manager Will Cooke proposed the shipping of GSConnect GNOME Extension by default in the forth coming Ubuntu 18.10 Cosmic Cuttlefish. This is an awesome move by Ubuntu to Linux lovers, for one am really digging it in all ways much so as a KDEConnect alternative. It also integrates with Gnome Shell, Nautilus (Files), Google Chrome browser and Firefox browser. .

GSConnect by andyholmes

To connect an Android device, install the KDE Connect Android app from the Google Play Store or F-Droid. Next, your Android device and computer needs to be in the same WiFi network. If you're using a mobile phone connected to WiFi and a desktop without WiFi, make sure network isolation is disabled in your router.

If you have ever used KDE Connect for Android integration you might be familiar with GSConnect Android integration features too because they are pretty much identical but has much more other features like enabling and disabling plugins you don't want to use, synchronizing notifications, selecting which desktop applications can send notifications, or, for the Telephony plugin, you can select the incoming calls system volume, rather to pause media or not on incoming calls, and more.

Installing GSConnect 

For those not using Ubuntu 18.10 or got it without GSConnect you still can install it by using an AUR (Arch User Repository) - package or install it manually by downloading the extension from the Github site.
Note: If you are using a firewall, you should open the required ports. You can find instructions here.

Second, open to the GSConnect page on GNOME Extensions website in either Google Chrome or Firefox web browser:

Third, as I had mentioned you have to install the KDE Connect Android app on your compatible Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook. KDE Connect for Android is available on F-Droid and also from the Google Play Store:

Lastly, make sure that the Android device you’re using and your Ubuntu Linux PC are on the same network then go ahead and pair you devices for the KDE Connect app on your device, select the “Pair a new device” option then send pair request from your device to Ubuntu system by tapping on the system name.

Once you accept the pair request on the Ubuntu desktop your device will appear in the Status Menu on the Ubuntu desktop. Good work!

Now you can go ahead and configure or set-up some of the integrations you want to use manually via the ‘plugins’ page of the KDE Connect Android app and/or the ‘mobile settings’ panel of GSconnect on your desktop.

Related Posts: The History of Linux Operating System | JTechpreneur celebrating Linux OS at 25