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https://github.com/fector101/laner

A Mobile/Desktop app for securely sharing files between wireless PC and Phone.
https://github.com/fector101/laner

cross-platform file-sharing http-server kivymd localhost-management mobile-development open-source python-app python-desktop-application python-mobile-apps

Last synced: 12 months ago
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A Mobile/Desktop app for securely sharing files between wireless PC and Phone.

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README 

          
# How to Use Laner



Laner is a fast and secure file-sharing application that allows seamless file transfer between your PC and phone and vice-verse over a local network. Here's how to use both the desktop and phone versions effectively:



---



## Desktop Version (Host)



### Starting the Server



1. **Launch the App**: Open the Laner desktop application on your PC.  

2. **Connect to a Local Network**:  

   - Make sure your PC is connected to a local network or hotspot.  

   - Internet access is not required.  



3. **Start the Server**:  

   - Click the **Start Server** button.  

   - The app will display your local server address (IP code).  

   - This code will be used to connect your phone to the desktop.  



4. **Server Status**:  

   - The status label will show **"Server Running"** once the server starts.  

   - Avoid sharing the displayed code with unauthorized users.  



5. **Optional**:  

   - Use the **Hide Code** button to conceal the IP address for privacy.  

   - Click **End Server** to stop hosting files.  



---



### System Tray Features



- The app runs in the system tray when minimized.  

- Right-click the tray icon to access:  

  - **Show**: Reopen the app.  

  - **Quit**: Close the app entirely.  



---



## Phone Version (Client)



### Connecting to the Desktop



1. **Install and Open the App**: Launch the Laner app on your phone.  

2. **Enter the Server Code**:  

   - Navigate to the **Link** tab.  

   - Input the server code (IP address) displayed on the desktop app.  



3. **Verify Connection**:  

   - If successful, the app will display the file system from your PC.  

   - If not, ensure both devices are on the same network.  



---



### Browsing and Downloading Files



1. **Browse Files**:  

   - Use the grid layout to explore the folders and files hosted on your PC.  

2. **Download Files**:  

   - Tap the **Download** button on a file card.  

   - Files are saved in the `Downloads/Laner` folder on your phone.  



---



### Uploading Files to Desktop



1. **Select Files to Upload**:  

   - Tap the **Upload** button in the app.  

   - Choose files from your phone’s storage.  



2. **Transfer Files**:  

   - The selected files are uploaded to the current folder on your PC.  



---



### Managing Hidden Files



- To view hidden files on your PC, enable the **Show Hidden Files** option in the phone app's **Settings** tab.  



---



## Troubleshooting



- Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi or hotspot.  

- Restart the desktop server if the connection fails.  

- Grant necessary permissions on the phone app (storage access, notifications).



# FAQs



### 1. **Do I need an active internet connection to use Laner?**  



No, Laner works entirely over a local network. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi or hotspot.  



### 2. **Where are downloaded files saved on my phone?**  



All downloaded files are stored in the `Downloads/Laner` folder on your phone.  



### 3. **How do I stop the server on my desktop?**  



Click the **End Server** button in the desktop app. This stops hosting files and ends the connection.  



### 4. **What if I can’t connect my phone to the server?**  



- Ensure both devices are connected to the same local network.  

- Verify the IP address (code) shown on the desktop app matches the one entered on your phone.  

- Restart the desktop server or your router if necessary.  



### 5. **Can I hide files from being shared?**  



Yes, hidden files can be excluded by default. Use the **Show Hidden Files** toggle in the phone app's settings to control this.  



### 6. **What happens when I minimize the desktop app?**  



The desktop app runs in the system tray. You can reopen it by right-clicking the tray icon and selecting **Show**.  



### 7. **Can I upload files from my phone to the PC?**  



Yes, use the **Upload** button in the phone app to select files for upload. Files will be saved to the desktop folder on your PC.  



### 8. **Does Laner support large file transfers?**  



Yes, but ensure both devices have sufficient storage space and a stable connection for large files.  



---



# Advanced Settings



### **For Desktop Users**



1. **Running in Background**  

   - The desktop app can continue serving files while minimized to the system tray. Use the tray menu for quick controls.  



3. **Using a Static IP Address**  

   - If your network assigns dynamic IPs, the server address might change. Configure a static IP on your router for consistency.  



---



### **For Phone Users**



1. **Customizing Themes**  

   - Laner supports dark and light themes. Switch between them via your phone's system theme settings.  



2. **Default Download Location**  

   - Downloads are saved in `Downloads/Laner`. If needed, you can modify this path in the app code by updating the `makeDownloadFolder()` function in `templates.py`.



3. **Offline Mode**  

   - While the app doesn't require the internet, you can use a phone hotspot with no data plan to create a local network.  



---



### **For Developers**



1. **Extending Functionality**  

   - Laner is open-source. You can add features like file previews, password-protected sharing, or multi-user support by extending its existing codebase.



2. **Changing the Default Port**

   - By default, Laner uses port `8000` for the server.  



- To scan a list of ports and use the first available one, update the `run_server()` method in the desktop app's main file:



   ```python

   ports = [8000, 8080, 9090]  # List of ports to scan



   for port in ports:

       try:

           # Attempt to start the server on the current port

           self.server = FileSharingServer(port, '/')

           self.server.start()  # Start the server

           print(f"Server running on port {port}")

           break  # Exit the loop if the server starts successfully

       except OSError:

           print(f"Port {port} is unavailable, trying the next one...")

   else:

       print("All specified ports are in use. Please free up a port and try again.")

   ```



- This ensures the server scans through a list of ports (`8000`, `8080`, `9090`, etc.) and uses the first available one. If no port is available, an error message will be displayed.



3. **Contributing to Laner**  

   - Fork the project repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request for review.