HN Explorer

Ask HN: What is the best way to pass links between phone/desktop?

12 points by rememberlenny ↗ HN
I normally email or SMS links to myself, but is there a better way? Ideally I would like to preserve the page location when I share the link.

26 comments

[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 74.6 ms ] thread
kosmodrom
You can send a message to yourself on messenger. :)
gtirloni
In Chrome's address bar you have the "send" icon (or whatever it's called).
u2wger
I use Telegram messenger to share and save links between devices.
8draco8
For desktop to phone pass I am using QR Code generator for browser. Just generate the QR Code using some extension and point phone camera at the code.
stephenr
If you’re on macOS and iOS, either iCloud tabs, or Universal Clipboard would work.
tedmiston
This is a good solution if you are willing to sign into the same iCloud account on both devices.

On my work machine, I don't use my personal iCloud account. I'm still looking for a good solution for this setup. I often create e.g., a Gmail draft to myself on one device then open it on the other, copy, and delete. But this is tedious.

Pushbullet [1] used to be good for this but I don't think it's actively maintained now.

[1]: https://www.pushbullet.com/

phwak
Take a look at Pushbullet.
ta999999171
KDEConnct will be interesting to keep your eye on.
juangburgos
Create a whatsapp group and add one person, then inmediatly kick out that person from the group. Then you have a group for just yourself. Call it "links" group.

Use this group to paste links. On the desktop use https://web.whatsapp.com/ to access those links.

tucaz
I just add myself as a contact and send links to myself. No groups needed.
JunaidBhai
This can be replicated for Telegram, Facebook or any other IMs too.
nyuszika7h
On Telegram you don’t even need to create a group, you can just use “Saved Messages”.
dyingkneepad
You can also send files this way. I often use Whatsapp Web to send PDFs to my SO. Probably safer than email due to the possible encryption.
raleighm
Drafts by Agile Tortoise for iOS and Mac. Syncs very well.
psv1
Google Keep or Apple Notes. Sending a message or email to myself feels really weird in a way that's difficult to describe.
mrfusion
Like talking to yourself?
psv1
I think it's more that I'm using the app/program/protocol in a way in which it wasn't meant to be used.
heavyheavy
Add links to Todoist on your phone and have it sync to your desktop Todoist client.
antoineMoPa
There should be a universal copy/paste tool across devices. Imagine how useful...
slucha
Chrome has the possibility to send links between devices. Click the address bar beside the bookmark icon and the "send this page" option comes up. Its very handy
cloudking
Chrome > Menu > Recent Tabs

Pulls tabs from all devices you're signed into