KDEConnect: Difference between revisions

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This is the community page for '''KDE Connect'''. Feel free to edit it! It should contain useful and up-to-date resources for both users and developers.
This is the community page for '''KDE Connect'''. Feel free to edit it! It should contain useful and up-to-date resources for both users and developers.


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More info at [http://albertvaka.wordpress.com Albert Vaka's] or [http://nicolasfella.wordpress.com Nico's] blog.
More info at [http://albertvaka.wordpress.com Albert Vaka's] or [http://nicolasfella.wordpress.com Nico's] blog.


== Installation ==
== Installation and Usage ==


You will most likely find the '''KDE Connect''' desktop component as a package in your distribution's repos. If not, you can ask them to package it.
Please see the '''KDE Connect''' [https://userbase.kde.org/KDEConnect Userbase page] for detailed information on the different ways '''KDE Connect''' can be installed and used.


Despite common misconception, you can use '''KDE Connect''' on all desktop environments. Since most  the developers are using Plasma, it may occur that a feature is broken or inaccessible on other desktop environments. In this case, please file a [https://bugs.kde.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=kdeconnect bug report]. There are multiple ways to enhance the '''KDE Connect''' experience on non-Plasma desktops. If you are a GNOME user you might prefer [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1319/gsconnect/ GSConnect], a GNOME shell extension. For desktops with AppIndicator support (Budgie, Cinnamon, LXDE, Pantheon, Unity) [https://github.com/Bajoja/indicator-kdeconnect indicator-kdeconnect] is available.
== Build KDE Connect from source ==
 
KDE Connect is a free/ libre open source software, being developed for over 8 years now.
The app for Android can be found in both the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kde.kdeconnect_tp Google Play Store] and the free and open store [https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.kde.kdeconnect_tp F-Droid].
 
There was some development of a '''KDE Connect''' client app for iOS in 2014 (see [https://cgit.kde.org/scratch/yangqiao/kdeconnect-ios.git/ source code]) but due to our experience and various technical and organizational factors it's unlikely that we will have official iOS support anytime soon.
 
'''KDE Connect''' is also available on [https://openrepos.net/content/piggz/kde-connect SailfishOS] and we are working on bringing it to other Linux-based phones (Plasma Mobile, PostmarketOS etc.)
 
== Usage ==
 
Please see the '''KDE Connect''' [https://userbase.kde.org/KDEConnect Userbase page] for detailed information on the different ways '''KDE Connect''' can be used.
 
== Browser Integration ==
 
[https://community.kde.org/Plasma/Browser_Integration Plasma Browser Integration] makes '''KDE Connect''' even more powerful. It allows you to control content from e.g. Youtube or Netflix from your phone and send browser tabs to your phone. Despite the name, it can also be used on non-Plasma desktops.
 
== Running KDE Connect over OpenVPN ==
 
There may be a variety of reasons for using '''KDE Connect''' with a VPN. Maybe you have left home and want to run a command, or maybe you’re on a public wifi network where your devices aren’t allowed to communicate and you want to use remote control to give a presentation.
 
=== Set up OpenVPN ===
 
If you have your own server with a public-facing IP address, you can set up '''OpenVPN''' yourself. It is not the easiest piece of software to set up, but by following a setup tutorial such as this one, you should be able to manage: https://openvpn.net/howto.html
 
In order to allow UDP broadcast packets, which are what '''KDE Connect''' uses to automatically discover two devices, '''OpenVPN''' needs to be set up for bridging (TAP device). If you use a tun device, you can still manually connect by IP address.
 
If you want to rent a pre-configured '''OpenVPN''' service rather than set up your own, it should work, but the same considerations about the server settings need to be taken into account.
 
Once the server is running, you can use the official '''OpenVPN''' client to connect the desktop to the server. There is no official '''OpenVPN''' client for Android, but the '''OpenVPN for Android''' client works well: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blinkt.openvpn
 
Once both devices are connected, test that they are able to communicate over the VPN by trying to do a network ping between them.
 
=== Configure KDE Connect ===
 
If your '''OpenVPN''' instance is set up for bridging, '''KDE Connect''' should work just like on a local network.
 
If you are using '''OpenVPN''' with a tun device, you will have to manually add your devices by IP. Then, once you connect to the VPN, '''KDE Connect''' should automatically detect your device and either connect or be ready for pairing!
 
== Building KDE Connect ==
 
If you want to build KDE Connect yourself, you'll first need to grab the code from git. 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
git clone https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-kde.git
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Note: if you plan to contribute code to '''KDE Connect''', please follow the steps in [[KDEConnect#Setting_up_KDE_Connect_Repository_for_Development]]


=== Linux Desktop ===
=== Linux Desktop ===


'''KDE Connect''' uses cmake as a build system, which will tell you if you are missing any dependencies. On some distros you will need to install some development packages. Sometimes you will need to get the dependencies by yourself because the development branch of '''KDE Connect''' often uses new libraries not included in distro repositories, in which case you can build those yourself or use kdesrc-build. Helpfully, some package managers have a command which will automatically fetch the dependencies for you:
'''KDE Connect''' can be built directly from source using CMake and system-installed dependencies.  


<b> For Ubuntu </b>
Alternatively, you may use a meta-build system like [https://kdesrc-build.kde.org/ kdesrc-build] or [https://community.kde.org/Craft/ Craft],
both of which have the added benefit of leaving your linux installation unaffected and containing the dev files to a single directory.


you can go in to <code>/etc/apt/source.list</code> and
==== Using a meta-build system ====
enable the source repositories to install all build-dependencies.


<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
* Craft is a cross-platform meta-build system that works quite well on Windows and Linux for KDE Connect devel.
# apt update
** Set up Craft using [https://community.kde.org/Craft/Linux/ this link], and then visit [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Craft here] for instructions to use Craft to build KDE Connect.
# apt-get build-dep kdeconnect
* kdesrc-build is a meta-build system that is used by many long-term KDE developers as their daily driver for KDE devel on Linux. See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_kdesrc-build here] for comprehensive build instructions.
</syntaxhighlight>


<b> For openSUSE </b>
==== Without a meta-build system ====


you can use
KDE Connect uses CMake as its build system, which will tell you if you are missing any dependencies.
See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Linux here] for build instructions.


<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
=== Windows ===
# zypper si -d kdeconnect-kde
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Be sure to uninstall the package-provided version of kdeconnect before continuing, otherwise, you will end up in a confusing situation where some plugins are being provided by the system-installed version and others are coming from your new build.
 
==== Installing using prefix.sh ====
 
For development, it is recommended to install to your home directory using prefix.sh. This gives a faster development cycle and avoids clobbering your system-installed version with a potentially unstable WIP version.
 
These steps are roughly the same for any KDE project:
 
To configure use
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
cd kdeconnect-kde
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=~/kde-prefix ..
</syntaxhighlight>
 
To build use
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
make -j8 install
</syntaxhighlight>
 
To run the daemon, do
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
source build/prefix.sh
killall kdeconnectd; ~/kde-prefix/lib64/libexec/kdeconnectd
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Other executables, such as the SMS app or the settings app, are on the path provided by prefix.sh, and can be found in <code>~/kde-prefix/bin</code>
 
==== Installing to the System ====


If you want to use the new version of '''KDE Connect''' daily, you can install it to the system. This is not recommended for day-to-day development since it requires <code>sudo</code> access.
KDE Connect is officially supported on Windows.  
 
See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows here] for build instructions.
To configure use
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
cd kdeconnect-kde
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr ..
</syntaxhighlight>
To build use
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
make
sudo make install
</syntaxhighlight>
Note that this will override the '''KDE Connect''' provided by your distro
 
If you intend to develop '''KDE Connect''' or experience a crash and are asked to give a backtrace, build '''KDE Connect''' with debugging symbols:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug ..
</syntaxhighlight>
 
If you install '''KDE Connect''' in a custom location, you'll need to run <code>kdeconnectd</code> manually, since DBus doesn't know about it.
 
For instructions on how to integrate the build with '''KDevelop''', check out this [https://nicolasfella.wordpress.com/2018/03/30/building-kde-connect/ blog post].


=== Android ===
=== Android ===


You can find the code on [https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-android Invent]. It's easiest to use '''Android Studio''' to build the app and install it to your phone, although it can be done on the command line using gradle.
The most convenient dev-flow way is to pass the [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-android project URL] to '''Android Studio''', build the app and install it to your phone.
 
Remember to uninstall any already-installed KDE Connect app from your target Android device.
Running '''KDE Connect''' in the emulator is possible, but needs an advanced networking setup. See the guide posted for the [[/Android_Emulator/]]
You can also build the android app through CLI using gradle.


=== Windows ===
You can also run the app in an emulated Android device for devel. See [/Android_Emulator/ here] for instructions.


'''KDE Connect''' works quite well on Windows, with many features ported.
=== iOS ===
See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows here] for build instructions
Since [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-ios KDE Connect iOS] is being developed in native frameworks, a recent version of Xcode is required to build the app. However, due to the special entitlements used in the complete version of KDE Connect, it can only be signed by the KDE e.V. development team. A wiki page is currently being written with information on how building and distribution would work and the possible resources available to contributors without macOS access.


=== MacOS ===
=== MacOS ===


'''KDE Connect''' works fairly well on macOS. But there is no official release for it yet. See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_MacOS here] for build instructions.
'''KDE Connect''' works fairly well on macOS, however there is no official version as of yet. See [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_MacOS here] for build instructions.


You can get the Nightly Build from the [https://binary-factory.kde.org/view/MacOS/job/kdeconnect-kde_Nightly_macos/ Binary Factory]
You can get the Nightly Build from the [https://binary-factory.kde.org/view/MacOS/job/kdeconnect-kde_Nightly_macos/ Binary Factory].


=== Mobile-Friendly QML App ===
=== Special Mentions ===
Special instructions for specfic topics.


'''KDE Connect''' provides an alternative mobile-friendly interface, targeted at mobile Linux platforms such as Plasma Mobile. The app is usable on the desktop as well. It is built from the same sources as the desktop component. The build steps are mostly the same, just one additional step is needed to enable building the app.
==== Plasmoid Development ====


<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
You can use <code>plasmawindowed</code> to easily run the Plasmoid (even on non-KDE environments).
cd build
cmake -DEXPERIMENTALAPP_ENABLED=True .
</syntaxhighlight>
 
This will result in an additional 'kcapp' executable being built


=== Desktop SMS Messaging App ===
Set up your dev environment as above, then run <code>make install</code>, then run <code>plasmawindowed org.kde.kdeconnect</code> to launch the Plasmoid and see your changes.


'''KDE Connect''' has an SMS messaging app which lets you type and view SMS messages from your computer. It supports basic features and works correctly most of the time. If you are interested in trying or developing it, you can build it from source. It is automatically built as part of the rest of '''KDE Connect''' and is output as 'kdeconnect-sms'.
==== Mobile-Friendly QML App ====


== Troubleshooting ==
The kdeconnect-app component of the desktop version is suitable for mobile Linux environments, too.


=== I have two devices running KDE Connect on the same network, but they can't see each other ===
==== Desktop SMS Messaging App ====


'''KDE Connect''' uses dynamic ports in the range 1714-1764 for UDP and TCP. So if you are behind a firewall, make sure to open this port range for both TCP and UDP. Otherwise, make sure your network is not blocking UDP broadcast packets.
'''KDE Connect''' has an SMS messaging app which lets you type and view SMS messages from your computer.  
 
It supports basic features and works correctly most of the time.  
==== ufw ====
If you are interested in trying or developing it, you can build it from source.  
 
It is automatically built as part of the rest of '''KDE Connect''' and is output as 'kdeconnect-sms'.
If your firewall is '''ufw''', you can open the necessary ports with:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/udp
sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/tcp
sudo ufw reload
</syntaxhighlight>
 
==== firewalld ====
 
If your firewall is '''firewalld''', you can open the necessary ports with:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-port=1714-1764/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-port=1714-1764/udp
sudo systemctl restart firewalld.service
</syntaxhighlight>
 
==== Fedora firewall ====
 
In Fedora, there is an utility for configuring the firewall. Open Firewall Configuration (the program's filename is <code>firewall-config</code>), and in '''Zones''' ➔ '''Services''' check the kde-connect service.
 
Make sure you have chosen the '''Permanent''' Configuration in the drop-down at the top, otherwise these settings will be reset upon reboot.
 
==== iptables ====
 
If your firewall is '''iptables''', you can open the necessary ports with:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo iptables -I INPUT -i <yourinterface> -p udp --dport 1714:1764 -m state --state NEW,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -I INPUT -i <yourinterface> -p tcp --dport 1714:1764 -m state --state NEW,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
 
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -o <yourinterface> -p udp --sport 1714:1764 -m state --state NEW,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -o <yourinterface> -p tcp --sport 1714:1764 -m state --state NEW,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
</syntaxhighlight>
 
===  KDE Connect crashes or restarts when trying to pair with another device ===
 
Sometimes, a corrupt config file may cause '''KDE Connect''' to crash when trying to pair with a device. In that case, deleting the config  ~/.config/kdeconnect might help.
 
===  Can I run KDE Connect without a display server? ===
 
Yes, you can pass the command line argument `-platform offscreen` to the daemon (eg: `killall -9 kdeconnectd; /usr/lib/libexec/kdeconnectd -platform offscreen`)
 
=== Running KDE Connect on an emulator ===
 
How to setup running '''KDE Connect''' on an emulator is described here [[/Android_Emulator/]]
 
=== GSConnect ===
 
'''GSConnect''' is an independent project which implements the '''KDE Connect''' protocol into GNOME and uses the same Android app. If you are running '''GSConnect''', please visit that project's [https://github.com/andyholmes/gnome-shell-extension-gsconnect/wiki GitHub page] first for support. If you and the '''GSConnect''' team determine the issue is the Android app or protocol, feel free to report those in the '''KDE Connect''' bug tracker.
 
===  My problem is not in this list :( ===
 
In case you find a bug and want to report it, you can do so in the [https://bugs.kde.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=kdeconnect KDE bug tracker].


== Development ==
== Development ==
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'''KDE Connect''' is a perfect project to start contributing to KDE. You'll need a basic understanding of programming concepts, the rest can be learned by doing. Experience with Android or Qt is beneficial, but not needed.
'''KDE Connect''' is a perfect project to start contributing to KDE. You'll need a basic understanding of programming concepts, the rest can be learned by doing. Experience with Android or Qt is beneficial, but not needed.


We have a group to discuss development. You can access it from [https://t.me/joinchat/BRUUN0bwMhNfn8FIejA-nw Telegram], IRC (#kdeconnect) or matrix.org (#freenode_#kdeconnect:matrix.org). Feel free to ask any development-related questions there. We also have a [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kdeconnect mailing list].
We have a group to discuss development. You can access it from [https://go.kde.org/matrix/#/#kdeconnect:kde.org Matrix] or [https://libera.chat Libera IRC network] (#kdeconnect). If you cannot find the correct room on Matrix, it might help if you first join the [https://go.kde.org/matrix/#/!OTxETzuhBDbnPqBqbP:kde.org KDE Matrix Space]. You can read more about KDE's use of Matrix [https://community.kde.org/Matrix here] Feel free to ask any development-related questions there. We also have a [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kdeconnect mailing list].


All patches are submitted on Gitlab. The Android repository is [https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-android here] and the C++ Desktop repository is [https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-kde here]. Be sure to select the most relevant template. You don't need to assign any reviewers, the developers are subscribed to notifications. Should this be your first patch, it's good to know that it might take some time before your patch is reviewed (we all work on '''KDE Connect''' in our free time), and you'll probably have to make some changes a couple of times. That's not because you're new, that's what happens for all reviews (even for long-time contributors).
All patches are submitted on Gitlab. The Android repository is [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-android here] and the C++ Desktop repository is [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde here]. Be sure to select the most relevant template. You don't need to assign any reviewers, the developers are subscribed to notifications. Should this be your first patch, it's good to know that it might take some time before your patch is reviewed (we all work on '''KDE Connect''' in our free time), and you'll probably have to make some changes a couple of times. That's not because you're new, that's what happens for all reviews (even for long-time contributors).


There are a couple of tasks marked as Junior Jobs on our [https://phabricator.kde.org/project/board/159/ workboard]. Those have some extra information on how to approach them that help you get started.
There are a couple of tasks marked as Junior Jobs on our [https://phabricator.kde.org/project/board/159/ workboard]. Those have some extra information on how to approach them that help you get started.
Line 267: Line 107:


# Fork the repository
# Fork the repository
#* With your web browser, open the Web GUI to KDE Connect's GitLab: https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-kde
#* With your web browser, open the Web GUI to KDE Connect's GitLab: https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde
#* If you are not already, sign in with your KDE identity by clicking the "Sign In" button in the top left
#* If you are not already, sign in with your KDE identity by clicking the "Sign In" button in the top left
#* Click the "Fork" button, near the top right
#* Click the "Fork" button, near the top right
Line 291: Line 131:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
# Note that we use HTTPS cloning here so that you don't need a verified account to pull changes!
# Note that we use HTTPS cloning here so that you don't need a verified account to pull changes!
git remote add upstream https://invent.kde.org/kde/kdeconnect-kde.git
git remote add upstream https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde.git
git fetch upstream
git fetch upstream
git checkout -b upstream-master --track upstream/master
git checkout -b upstream-master --track upstream/master
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killall kdeconnectd
killall kdeconnectd
build/bin/kdeconnectd
build/bin/kdeconnectd
</syntaxhighlight>
====Debug Logging====
By default, most Linux distributions tell Qt to restrict what logging you will see. You can control this using the QT_LOGGING_RULES variable. Running something like the below command will show most all logging.
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
export QT_LOGGING_RULES="*.debug=true; qt.*.debug=false"
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>


Line 310: Line 158:


The daemon communicates with various UI components (Plasmoid, CLI, Indicator etc.) over DBus. QDbusViewer allows inspecting the DBus interface provided by the daemon which can be incredibly useful for debugging.
The daemon communicates with various UI components (Plasmoid, CLI, Indicator etc.) over DBus. QDbusViewer allows inspecting the DBus interface provided by the daemon which can be incredibly useful for debugging.
 
</translate>
=== Running KDE Connect on an emulator ===
 
How to setup running '''KDE Connect''' on an emulator is described here [[/Android_Emulator/]]
 
== Release Process ==
 
The following sections describe how to release a new version KDE Connect
 
=== C++ Application ===
 
==== Tarballs ====
 
Tarball releases are handled automatically through KDE's release process. These are typically consumed by downstream distros in their release process.
 
==== Windows Store ====
 
# This should ideally be done at the same time as the .exe upload, using the build from the same version.
# Do some QA on a build you would like to release. Navigate to the [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde/-/pipelines repository pipelines], grab the latest signed *-sideload.appx of a release (not master) build you would like to test, and put it through the paces. Make sure all the plugins work, and make sure the UI elements look right.
# Use the microsoftstore pipeline step to upload the .appx to the Microsoft store.
# Open the [https://aka.ms/submitwindowsapp Microsoft Store partner center] and login with your `@kdeev.onmicrosoft.com` credentials. If you don't have access to the partner center, you need to file a sysadmin ticket, as described [https://develop.kde.org/docs/packaging/windows/microsoftstore/publishing/ here].
# Update the release notes for the new submissions. (Store listing -> Languages -> English)
# Approve the new release.
 
==== Windows EXE ====
 
# This should ideally be done at the same time as the Windows Store upload, using the build from the same version.
# Grab the *.exe and the *.exe.sha256 from the build. Install it, test that it works.
# Upload the .exe, .exe.sha256, -dbg.7z, and -dbg.7z.sha256 to the release network, as described here: https://community.kde.org/ReleasingSoftware#Uploading_the_Tar
# File a sysadmin ticket, and request that the .exe and -dbg.7z files from the build you tested be uploaded to the stable download path, like https://download.kde.org/stable/release-service/23.08.0/windows/
# Once the download files are in the mirror network, update the appstream data like https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde/-/commit/5639905b8dc3c36675bd8c042db7e2849023f6dc
# Follow the steps here to upload to the mirror network: https://community.kde.org/ReleasingSoftware#Uploading_the_Tar
#
 
=== Android ===
 
Before making an Android release we have to:
 
* Bump the version name and number in the [https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-android/-/blob/master/AndroidManifest.xml AndroidManifest.xml file].
* Create an annotated version tag on git (the name should start with "v").
 
==== Google Play Store ====
 
We build and sign the APK packages for the Play Store ourselves (we don't use Google's App Bundles which get signed by Google). To release on the Play Store you need two things:
 
* Access to the KDE organization on the [https://play.google.com/console Google Play Console].
* The KDE Connect signing key and passphrase.
 
We build an APK from a git version tag using Android Studio (Build > Generate Signed Bundle/APK and then select APK) and upload it to the [https://play.google.com/console Google Play Console] through the web UI.
 
==== FDroid ====
 
The [https://f-droid.org/packages/org.kde.kdeconnect_tp/ FDroid package] is not built by us. It is built and signed by the FDroid build server. Version information is stored in a [https://gitlab.com/fdroid/fdroiddata/-/blob/master/metadata/org.kde.kdeconnect_tp.yml metadata file on FDroid’s Gitlab]. We don't update the metadata file manually for new releases, though.
 
FDroid periodically (every 2-3 days) scans our git repo and if there's a new version tagged it will update the metadata and trigger a build automatically. Each build attempt produces logs which can be checked to debug issues.
 
The FDroid community is quite active and they usually reply fast when we open an issue or a MR (eg: to update the app description or some other metadata).
 
==== Huawei ====
 
Ping @Jannis Göing on the Telegram channel.
 
=== iOS ===
 
==== Apple App Store ====
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSGNnfOv0OU Video recording: Using App Store Connect for KDE Connect iOS]

Latest revision as of 14:53, 10 September 2024

This is the community page for KDE Connect. Feel free to edit it! It should contain useful and up-to-date resources for both users and developers.

What is KDE Connect?

KDE Connect is a project that enables all your devices to communicate with each other. Here are a few things KDE Connect can do:

  • Receive your phone notifications on your desktop computer and reply to messages
  • Control music playing on your desktop from your phone
  • Use your phone as a remote control for your desktop
  • Run predefined commands on your PC from connected devices. See the list of example commands for more details.
  • Check your phones battery level from the desktop
  • Ring your phone to help finding it
  • Share files and links between devices
  • Browse your phone from the desktop
  • Control the desktop's volume from the phone


To achieve this, KDE Connect:

  • implements a secure communication protocol over the network, and allows any developer to create plugins on top of it.
  • Has a component that you install on your desktop.
  • Has a KDE Connect client app you run on your phone.


This video from 2013 demonstrates some other cool features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkCFngNmsh0

More info at Albert Vaka's or Nico's blog.

Installation and Usage

Please see the KDE Connect Userbase page for detailed information on the different ways KDE Connect can be installed and used.

Build KDE Connect from source

KDE Connect is a free/ libre open source software, being developed for over 8 years now.

Linux Desktop

KDE Connect can be built directly from source using CMake and system-installed dependencies.

Alternatively, you may use a meta-build system like kdesrc-build or Craft, both of which have the added benefit of leaving your linux installation unaffected and containing the dev files to a single directory.

Using a meta-build system

  • Craft is a cross-platform meta-build system that works quite well on Windows and Linux for KDE Connect devel.
    • Set up Craft using this link, and then visit here for instructions to use Craft to build KDE Connect.
  • kdesrc-build is a meta-build system that is used by many long-term KDE developers as their daily driver for KDE devel on Linux. See here for comprehensive build instructions.

Without a meta-build system

KDE Connect uses CMake as its build system, which will tell you if you are missing any dependencies. See here for build instructions.

Windows

KDE Connect is officially supported on Windows. See here for build instructions.

Android

The most convenient dev-flow way is to pass the project URL to Android Studio, build the app and install it to your phone. Remember to uninstall any already-installed KDE Connect app from your target Android device. You can also build the android app through CLI using gradle.

You can also run the app in an emulated Android device for devel. See [/Android_Emulator/ here] for instructions.

iOS

Since KDE Connect iOS is being developed in native frameworks, a recent version of Xcode is required to build the app. However, due to the special entitlements used in the complete version of KDE Connect, it can only be signed by the KDE e.V. development team. A wiki page is currently being written with information on how building and distribution would work and the possible resources available to contributors without macOS access.

MacOS

KDE Connect works fairly well on macOS, however there is no official version as of yet. See here for build instructions.

You can get the Nightly Build from the Binary Factory.

Special Mentions

Special instructions for specfic topics.

Plasmoid Development

You can use plasmawindowed to easily run the Plasmoid (even on non-KDE environments).

Set up your dev environment as above, then run make install, then run plasmawindowed org.kde.kdeconnect to launch the Plasmoid and see your changes.

Mobile-Friendly QML App

The kdeconnect-app component of the desktop version is suitable for mobile Linux environments, too.

Desktop SMS Messaging App

KDE Connect has an SMS messaging app which lets you type and view SMS messages from your computer. It supports basic features and works correctly most of the time. If you are interested in trying or developing it, you can build it from source. It is automatically built as part of the rest of KDE Connect and is output as 'kdeconnect-sms'.

Development

KDE Connect is a perfect project to start contributing to KDE. You'll need a basic understanding of programming concepts, the rest can be learned by doing. Experience with Android or Qt is beneficial, but not needed.

We have a group to discuss development. You can access it from Matrix or Libera IRC network (#kdeconnect). If you cannot find the correct room on Matrix, it might help if you first join the KDE Matrix Space. You can read more about KDE's use of Matrix here Feel free to ask any development-related questions there. We also have a mailing list.

All patches are submitted on Gitlab. The Android repository is here and the C++ Desktop repository is here. Be sure to select the most relevant template. You don't need to assign any reviewers, the developers are subscribed to notifications. Should this be your first patch, it's good to know that it might take some time before your patch is reviewed (we all work on KDE Connect in our free time), and you'll probably have to make some changes a couple of times. That's not because you're new, that's what happens for all reviews (even for long-time contributors).

There are a couple of tasks marked as Junior Jobs on our workboard. Those have some extra information on how to approach them that help you get started.

Setting up KDE Connect Repository for Development

KDE Connect is actually composed of two repositories; one for the Android implementation and one for the C++ (Desktop) implementation. You can have a local clone of both on your computer and the steps to set them up are the same. For these directions, I will use the C++ repository, but if you want the Android repository, just replace every instance of 'kdeconnect-kde' with 'kdeconnect-android'

  1. Fork the repository
    • With your web browser, open the Web GUI to KDE Connect's GitLab: https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde
    • If you are not already, sign in with your KDE identity by clicking the "Sign In" button in the top left
    • Click the "Fork" button, near the top right
    • Wait for the forking to complete
  2. Clone your fork
    • Open your new fork in the GitLab web GUI
    • Click the "Clone" button in the top right
    • Select the method of cloning
      • I recommend SSH. This will require you add an SSH public key to your KDE GitLab account.
      • An HTTPS clone will require you to log in with your KDE Identity credentials to push changes.
    • In the folder you want to clone, do 'git clone <cloning path from above>'

You are all set up! See the optional steps for ways to make life easier.

Set up second remote (Optional)

Having a second remote allows you to have your local 'master' branch track the upstream kdeconnect-kde master branch, so you can easily get all the latest changes.

These steps assume you are using command-line git. If you are using a GUI tool, the steps will be different, but the ideas will be the same.

  1. On the command line, change to your local repository clone
  2. Execute:
# Note that we use HTTPS cloning here so that you don't need a verified account to pull changes!
git remote add upstream https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde.git
git fetch upstream
git checkout -b upstream-master --track upstream/master
  1. Now whenever there are new changes upstream, simply pull the upstream-master branch, then merge or rebase your local branches onto those changes!

Development tips

Restarting the daemon

Whenever you do a change to KDE Connect you need to restart the daemon for the change to take effect. 

killall kdeconnectd
build/bin/kdeconnectd

Debug Logging

By default, most Linux distributions tell Qt to restrict what logging you will see. You can control this using the QT_LOGGING_RULES variable. Running something like the below command will show most all logging. 

export QT_LOGGING_RULES="*.debug=true; qt.*.debug=false"

DBus inspection

The daemon communicates with various UI components (Plasmoid, CLI, Indicator etc.) over DBus. QDbusViewer allows inspecting the DBus interface provided by the daemon which can be incredibly useful for debugging.

Running KDE Connect on an emulator

How to setup running KDE Connect on an emulator is described here Android_Emulator

Release Process

The following sections describe how to release a new version KDE Connect

C++ Application

Tarballs

Tarball releases are handled automatically through KDE's release process. These are typically consumed by downstream distros in their release process.

Windows Store

  1. This should ideally be done at the same time as the .exe upload, using the build from the same version.
  2. Do some QA on a build you would like to release. Navigate to the repository pipelines, grab the latest signed *-sideload.appx of a release (not master) build you would like to test, and put it through the paces. Make sure all the plugins work, and make sure the UI elements look right.
  3. Use the microsoftstore pipeline step to upload the .appx to the Microsoft store.
  4. Open the Microsoft Store partner center and login with your `@kdeev.onmicrosoft.com` credentials. If you don't have access to the partner center, you need to file a sysadmin ticket, as described here.
  5. Update the release notes for the new submissions. (Store listing -> Languages -> English)
  6. Approve the new release.

Windows EXE

  1. This should ideally be done at the same time as the Windows Store upload, using the build from the same version.
  2. Grab the *.exe and the *.exe.sha256 from the build. Install it, test that it works.
  3. Upload the .exe, .exe.sha256, -dbg.7z, and -dbg.7z.sha256 to the release network, as described here: https://community.kde.org/ReleasingSoftware#Uploading_the_Tar
  4. File a sysadmin ticket, and request that the .exe and -dbg.7z files from the build you tested be uploaded to the stable download path, like https://download.kde.org/stable/release-service/23.08.0/windows/
  5. Once the download files are in the mirror network, update the appstream data like https://invent.kde.org/network/kdeconnect-kde/-/commit/5639905b8dc3c36675bd8c042db7e2849023f6dc
  6. Follow the steps here to upload to the mirror network: https://community.kde.org/ReleasingSoftware#Uploading_the_Tar

Android

Before making an Android release we have to:

  • Bump the version name and number in the AndroidManifest.xml file.
  • Create an annotated version tag on git (the name should start with "v").

Google Play Store

We build and sign the APK packages for the Play Store ourselves (we don't use Google's App Bundles which get signed by Google). To release on the Play Store you need two things:

  • Access to the KDE organization on the Google Play Console.
  • The KDE Connect signing key and passphrase.

We build an APK from a git version tag using Android Studio (Build > Generate Signed Bundle/APK and then select APK) and upload it to the Google Play Console through the web UI.

FDroid

The FDroid package is not built by us. It is built and signed by the FDroid build server. Version information is stored in a metadata file on FDroid’s Gitlab. We don't update the metadata file manually for new releases, though.

FDroid periodically (every 2-3 days) scans our git repo and if there's a new version tagged it will update the metadata and trigger a build automatically. Each build attempt produces logs which can be checked to debug issues.

The FDroid community is quite active and they usually reply fast when we open an issue or a MR (eg: to update the app description or some other metadata).

Huawei

Ping @Jannis Göing on the Telegram channel.

iOS

Apple App Store

Video recording: Using App Store Connect for KDE Connect iOS

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