Like many people, I have many files (text, pictures, ...) on my Android smartphone; Files I don't want to lose.
I could use Google Drive or similar software to have a copy of files in the cloud in case my smartphone is destroyed/lost/stolen, but files would be stored unencrypted server-side, so we don't want that.
I'm looking for an E2EE solution to have a copy of the files in my phone on some cloud.
A common situation : you are on holidays, you only have your phone with you (no computer…). Near the end of the holidays, you break/lose your phone (or your backpack with your computer and phone is stolen). If your files are not synced/backed up in some cloud, you lose all your more recent files (including holidays pictures).
I searched for solutions, but found nothing good so far.
I considered Cryptomator for Android, but after 5,5 years the Document Provider API is stillnot implemented, despite the promises of the developers (they didn't bother with a roadmap for 2023 for Cryptomator, it's half abandoned with only cosmetic/bug fixes updates). There is no support for automation tools neither. So it does not seem appropriate.
Maybe a local encryption app, combined with a standard cloud sync app, could do the trick, but I have not found an efficient solution yet.
I'd like to know how you solved this problem for yourselves, or if you have any advice.
It seems to be a common use case, I think it can be useful to many people.
note: I use Syncthing on a day-to-day basis to sync my files between my devices, but it won't help in these situations.
(I hope my English is not too bad, it's not my mother tongue, sorry)
If price isn’t a issue, Tresorit would be my recommendation. Automatic photo upload, integration with native file explorer, pretty good speed, E2EE, audited and fantastic reputation.
I use SyncThing to get the backups I want over to my main computer, then rclone to encrypt them onto remote cloud storage. In my case, I use S3, but rclone supports heaps of cloud remotes.
+1 for SyncThing. The most cloud-less cloud one could wish to have.
OP could setup remotes in a way that they can be synced via VPN which could probably fit the "holiday" usecase. It wouldn't be a "everything is up in the cloud in realtime" kind of situation, but syncing up in the evening when you are out of home for a couple of days should be painless enough.
Yeah, absolutely. I forgot to mention that I use Wireguard and Tasker so that, when I'm travelling, only the backups I want to sync over 5G/remotely are sync'd over. The rest can usually wait until I get back home.
Syncthing syncs a parent backups folder on my phone
Wireguard keeps me permanently tethered to the home network (for Pi-hole and searxng private search engine, which goes out via Mullvad VPN @ home)
Tasker keeps the large and/or unnecessary backup files out of Syncthing's view when I'm not on the home network
skiff.com might be worth a look. Its services are E2EE. Its a lot like Proton in spirit but with better pricing and less nickle-and-diming. 10G of storage on the free plan. It's not a Swiss company though, if that should happen to be important to you.
I didn't knew rclone was available on Android, thank you !! I will definitively try this ! :-)
I saw there is an app to start Termux scripts with Tasker :-)
Also going to add that Proton makes my favorites VPN. They offer a completely free version with no data cap (but limited locations) if you wish to try it before buying the full product.
I use FolderSync to automate everything about files or backup. Even moving files locally on phone. Most rarely used files and simple backups are synced with Mega, its E2EE for all accounts. For frequently used files I sync them with nextcloud webdav, so I have easy and quick access on my PC too.
With syncthing, you can share securely your pictures (etc.) folder on your phone with your computer, and cut cloud storage out of the picture entirely.
I don't really trust the server side encryption, admins can probably access files. I would sleep better with E2EE :-)
But it can be right for some people, thanks for mentioning it.