KDE Connect

KDE Connect lets compatible computers, phones and tablets communicate with each other. It is useful for people moving files and links between devices or wanting selected phone and desktop features available together. Install the appropriate KDE Connect application on each device and pair only devices you trust.

Cross-device features

The project offers file and URL sharing, shared clipboard, device battery information, phone ringing, presentation controls, remote input, media control and configured command execution. Notification and SMS integration depend on the phone platform and permissions. Feature support varies between the Mac, Linux, Windows, Android and iOS implementations; the project's complete feature list is not a promise that every plugin works on every device combination. iOS background and system-access restrictions differ from Android.

Mac package and installation

This cask installs the KDE Connect desktop app and exposes its bundled command-line client as kdeconnect. The recorded 26.08.1 package requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 13 or newer; its ARM64 DMG is 91,346,770 bytes. Copy the app from the DMG into Applications. The cask declares no additional package dependencies or conflicts. The project also publishes other platform builds, including untested nightly Mac builds for ARM and Intel, but this cask's ARM requirement remains applicable. Installing the app does not install the phone-side application.

Pairing and network access

For normal network discovery, connect the devices to the same reachable network and accept the pairing request on the other device. Firewalls, guest Wi-Fi isolation and VPN routing can prevent discovery or connections. KDE's troubleshooting guidance identifies TCP and UDP ports 1714–1764 for network communication; any firewall access should be limited to the intended trusted network. Do not expose those ports indiscriminately to the internet. The protocol uses TLS encryption between devices and does not require a central KDE account for normal pairing.

Permissions and trust

Enable only the features you intend to use and grant the relevant device permissions when requested. For example, Android notification or messaging integration requires appropriate phone access; receiving files requires access to their destination. Platform privacy controls can restrict clipboard and remote input behavior. Pairing and encryption do not make an untrusted device safe: clipboard sharing, notification forwarding, file transfer and remote commands can expose information or act on your computer. Configured commands run real commands on the target computer, so review them and disable unused plugins or unpair devices you no longer trust.

License and costs

KDE Connect is a free, open-source KDE community project, with GPL version 2 and version 3 licensing described in the desktop repository. Normal device pairing has no mandatory KDE subscription or account. Optional donations support KDE. Mobile apps are separate installations, and ordinary network or external service charges remain independent of the desktop app.