Frequently asked questions
What is the privacy policy for Synctrain?
Where can I ask questions that are not answered here?
Please contact by e-mail.
How can I report issues or ideas about the app?
If you are using aTestFlight pre-release version of the app, you can make a screenshot while inside the app. iOS will then provide you a screen where you can submit feedback. This is the preferred way to submit feedback as it comes with some data telling us exactly which version of the app and type of device you are using.
If you are not a TestFlight tester, you may raise your issue or idea on our Discussions page on GitHub or this thread on the Syncthing forum. Please do not use the Syncthing forum to ask for support on the iOS app specifically. The forum is a good place however to discuss things that may be broader than just the iOS app. Alternatively, feel free to contact me directly by e-mail.
In all cases, please ensure that you clearly describe your idea or issue you are experiencing, including any steps I should take to reproduce it. Also include the exact version number of the app you are using, the type of device you are using, and the iOS version. To the extent possible please also describe your configuration (i.e. folders you are synchronizing and in which mode).
Is there a roadmap for the app?
We are tracking issues and feature requests for the app in a private tracker. Prioritization of bug fixes and features is at our full discretion. Follow the developments in the GitHub repository or in our forum thread over at the Syncthing forum for more information. If you are a developer and want to discuss collaboration, feel free to get in touch!
What is the minimum supported version of iOS?
Currently, the most recent version of iOS 17 is required.
The minimum version will be raised either when the maintenance burden of keeping compatibility with older version becomes too large, and/or when we want to add features that can only be added when raising the minimum supported version.
Is there also a version for macOS?
A native version of Synctrain for macOS is available in the Mac App Store for free.
In what regions is Synctrain available?
As of november 2024, both the iOS and macOS app are available on the Apple App Store in most EU countries.
Notably, the app is not available in either the US or France at this time. The reason is that either country requires a declaration on the use of cryptography. Synctrain uses standard cryptography algorithms. Because we are embedding Syncthing, some of the cryptographic operations are implemented in Go code and do not use the cryptographic implementations provided by the operating system. This means we have to specify our encryption use. For the US, such a declaration has been submitted and we are awaiting its approval. For France, no attempt has been made yet as the forms are all in French.
If you are a native speaker and resident of a country where the app is not available and you know how to help us navigate the regulatory requirements, feel free to get in touch, help is much appreciated.
Is Synctrain suitable for backing up files?
Not on its own. Synctrain provides file synchronization between different devices. The main goal is to make files available on multiple locations at once, and to propagate changes to files between devices as quickly as possible. Because inadvertent changes will also be propagated as quickly as possible, this makes Synctrain by itself very unsuitable for back-up purposes. By the time you find out your precious files have been inadvertently or maliciously deleted by a virus, they will have been deleted on all peers as well.
That said, you could combine Synctrain with other solutions (such as snapshotting software or Syncthing’s versioning features) to build a proper back-up solution. It is your own responsibility to determine the requirements for a back-up system to keep your data safe, and to evaluate whether Synctrain is a suitable part for that.
Can I rely on Synctrain to keep my files safe?
Synctrain makes a best effort to handle your files are carefully as possible. Synctrain is built on Syncthing, and its number one goal is “Safe from data loss”. That said, we cannot guarantee zero data loss. While we are very careful and employ a defensive coding strategy, issues may exist in current and future Syncthing and Synctrain code. Additionally, changes in the underlying operating system, libraries or hardware may cause the app to fail in unexpected ways that we cannot always anticipate. Finally, as discussed above, issues on other devices may cause files to be deleted on a device running Synctrain (in which case Synctrain can’t really know and is simply working as designed). In no event can the authors of the app be held responsible or accountable for data loss. It is your sole responsibility to ensure you have current back-ups of all data that Synctrain may have access to. We will not help you retrieve data that was lost through the use of Synctrain: you may restore your back-up.