this post was submitted on 05 Nov 2025
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Alternative to KDE-Connect? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by zdhzm2pgp@lemmy.ml to c/opensource@lemmy.ml
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Basically, I'd like to be able to get SMS messages from my android phone sent to my Linux laptop, primarily for getting 2FA codes, since that's the way pretty much every business-type site out there insists on doing it.

Anything KDE-related, it seems to me, makes you download a lot of other software that you don't really need, and so I'd like to go another route if possible (not dissing KDE, it's just not for me!).

KDE-Connect's AlternativeTo page lists a lot of alternatives that aren't really alternatives, and many seem to have been discontinued. One of them, Sefirah, has a lot of .dll files that come with it, which I believe are only for Microsoft, and so that doesn't really inspire a lot of confidence. Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions.

(also, not using GNOME desktop or ZorinOS, so those options unfortunately won't work).

THE VERDICT: KDE Connect is very clunky, but passable . . . I guess. I dimly remember trying this many years ago, and it doesn't seem to have improved much, if at all. Kind of seems like the devs haven't really given it much love as of late, which is too bad. Ok for now, but I'll be looking for a replacement.

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[–] BananaTrifleViolin@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

In terms of KDE dependencies, you're talking basically about QT. The amount of packages you download shouldnt be too much and likely used for other QT programs which are common.

However there is also GSconnect which is a Gnome extension and uses the KDE connect protocol.

I would say that your concerns regarding the KDE Connect dependencies should be balanced against the good Android and iOS support, and the wide use of KDE connect means it is well maintained, supported and responsive to security updates. These considerations may outweigh the installation of packages that you otherwise won't be using? It may be better to go mainstream and accept the dependencies than hunt down a lesser supported alternative and deal woth the associated shortcomings.