How do I synchronize files or directories on an Android device with Ubuntu One?

Question

I'm missing some very basic Ubuntu One usage information, like how to synchronize the files between Ubuntu One, my Android phone, and my Ubuntu 12.04 PC.

Is there a users guide or reference manual someplace?

Solution 1

FolderSync is an app that lets you sync selected folders between Android and various cloud services, including Ubuntu One. The free version shows ads and limits the number of cloud services you can use simultaneously.

Solution 2

The android app can be found here.

The way this works is that everything in the Ubuntu One folder (located in your home folder) is automatically synchronized to the cloud. You can add more folders to be synchronized by right clicking on them in the file manager and navigating to the Ubuntu One sub menu and finally clicking Synchronize This Folder.

On Android your photos are uploaded to a folder named after the model of your phone (mine is Pictures - HTC Ruby), and you can select files to be downloaded from Ubuntu One to your phone. These are not synchronized with their versions in the cloud after download, however.
You can upload files within the android app by navigating into a folder and hitting the + icon in the right. You will need an app like File Manager installed to be able to just select any file from the SD card, however. To do this, select Add file after tapping the + icon and select File Manager (or your preferred app) from the list.

To get your pictures or other files in Ubuntu One on your PC you need to use the Ubuntu One app for Ubuntu (Open the dash and type Ubuntu One). Select the folders here that you want to sync to your computer:

The folders in the cloud that you select will be placed in your home folder and synchronized with other computers. For example I sync my scripts so I always have my most current work no matter which machine I turn on.

There is also a music app for Ubuntu One that requires a subscription to work. It can stream your whole music collection to you, which is great if you have an unlimited data plan. It can be found here, if you are interested.

Comments

[Admin]

Thanks for the help. The simple piece that I was missing was that my computer was not logged into U1, so even tho there were files in the Ubuntu one folder they weren't getting synced. When I right clicked on another folder to sync it, I got a prompt to log in. –

[dobey]

Just to be clear, the Android U1 files client does NOT synchronize files. It allows you to download files to your Android device, but any modifications you make there will not be re-uploaded.

[user68186]

Full and automatic sync is not available in the "Ubuntu One for Android." You have to manually choose which files you want to download from the cloud to the Android device. Files can also be uploaded manually, though the process requires a file browsing app like "File Expert."

[Leland Reardon]

So, I can upload a file from android into U1, but if I edit the file on android, it doesn't get synced. Is there no way to force a synce on a modified file from android? If I modify the file from linux, it gets synced right away.

[Leland Reardon]

It looks like the work around to get it synced from android is to upload the file again from the /U1 folder. Seems like something pretty basic that they would have included.

[jalkoby]

That would be the only way until they add the feature.

[Anthony]

This is just a question--how do I get the music files on my usb to go to Ubuntu1; what about using Rythmbox to play the cloud files?

[nutty about natty]

How frustrating that neither Dropbox nor Ubuntu One seem to offer this basic functionality natively...