Android tablets and Linux PCs get along fairly well: MTP mounts in most desktops, and KDE Connect or GSConnect can pair them. Still, MTP is slow and flaky with large folders, and pairing takes setup. People commonly move scanned documents, screen recordings, drawings or downloaded files from the tablet to a Linux workstation or NAS. Sendryo is the quick no-setup option: open the site in Chrome or Samsung Internet on the tablet, pick your files, then enter the code in Firefox or Chromium on Linux. Files land in ~/Downloads, and you can verify them with sha256sum.
How to transfer files from Android tablet to Linux PC, step by step
- Open Sendryo on your Android tablet. Open Chrome or Samsung Internet and go to sendryo.com, or scan the QR code shown on the other device with the camera.
- Add the files you want to send. Tap the add-files area to open Android's picker and choose from Photos, Downloads, internal storage or a microSD card; on Samsung DeX or a split screen you can also drag files from My Files.
- Tap “Get share code”. You’ll see a 6-digit code, a link and a QR code. Keep this page open during the transfer.
- Open Sendryo on your Linux PC and enter the code. Open Firefox or Chromium and go to sendryo.com; no packages, Flatpaks or dependencies are needed. Switch to Receive and type the code, or open the link.
- Save the files on your Linux PC. Files are saved by the browser like any normal download, so permissions and ownership are those of your user account.
Other ways to move files from Android Tablet to Linux
| Method | How it works | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| KDE Connect or GSConnect | Pair the tablet and share files to the Linux PC. | Requires installation and pairing on both devices and the same network. |
| USB cable (MTP) | Connect the tablet, choose 'File transfer' and copy in your file manager. | MTP is slow with many files and can disconnect mid-copy. |
| adb pull | Enable USB debugging and pull files with adb. | Requires developer mode and the command line. |
| Sendryo | Open the site on both devices and enter a 6‑digit code; files stream directly, encrypted. | Both devices must be online with the page open until the transfer finishes. |
If you use KDE Connect or GSConnect already, it's an excellent daily tool. For scripted backups, adb pull is more powerful.
Tips for a smooth transfer
- Tablets are great receivers for big video files; if yours has a microSD slot, consider moving large downloads there afterwards.
- Keep the tablet on charge and the browser tab open during long transfers, since some tablets suspend background tabs to save power.
- If you use a Flatpak or Snap browser, it may only have access to certain folders; drag files from a permitted location or adjust permissions with Flatseal.
- After receiving an ISO or build artifact, verify it with sha256sum or the checksum tool to be sure it arrived intact.
- On the same Wi‑Fi network, transfers are usually fastest. See why transfers can be slow.
Browsers that work
Android tablet: Chrome works best; Samsung Internet on Galaxy Tabs, Firefox and Edge also work well.
Linux PC: Firefox and Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Chromium, Brave, Edge) all work; Chrome or Chromium is a good pick for very large files.
Frequently asked questions
Is this faster than MTP?
Often, especially with many small files. On the same Wi-Fi, Sendryo usually takes the local route. For very large backups, a USB connection with adb can still be faster and doesn't rely on Wi-Fi quality. It also avoids the MTP habit of freezing the file manager while a big folder is being listed.
Can I send folders from the tablet?
Android's browser picker usually lets you select multiple files rather than folders. Select the files you need, then on Linux choose 'Download all (ZIP)' and extract it with unzip or your archive manager. File names inside the ZIP are kept, so photos and documents keep their original names. Choose files from different folders in one go to bundle everything you need into a single transfer.
Do I need to install anything on Linux?
No. Any modern browser works. If your browser is a Flatpak or Snap, files go to ~/Downloads by default. Check the browser's download settings if you've changed the location. Any recent Firefox, Chrome, Chromium or Brave build is fine, and no account or package installation is required. Run sha256sum afterwards if you want to confirm a file matches the original.
Is there a file size limit from Android Tablet to Linux?
Sendryo doesn’t set a size limit. Files stream directly to the Linux PC, so the practical limit is its free storage. For files of many gigabytes, keep both screens on and both devices charged.
Is it free and private?
Yes. Sendryo is free, needs no account, and files travel directly between your devices with end-to-end encryption. They are never uploaded to or stored on our servers.