How To Install RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9

RQuickShare offers a seamless way to transfer files between your Rocky Linux 9 system and Android devices. This open-source file sharing solution implements the functionality similar to Android’s NearbyShare and Samsung’s QuickShare, allowing wireless transfers without the need for additional apps on your phone. Whether you’re a system administrator, developer, or everyday Linux user, RQuickShare simplifies the file-sharing process across your devices.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through installing and configuring RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9, including multiple installation methods, troubleshooting common issues, and optimizing your setup for reliable performance.

What is RQuickShare?

RQuickShare is an open-source implementation of the Android NearbyShare/QuickShare protocol written in Rust. It allows Linux users to share files wirelessly between their computers and Android devices without requiring any additional apps on the Android side. The application leverages the existing file-sharing capabilities built into Android devices, making it a convenient solution for Rocky Linux 9 users.

Unlike proprietary alternatives, RQuickShare provides a native Linux experience with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. It operates over your local Wi-Fi network, enabling quick transfers of files of virtually any size between your devices. The Rust implementation ensures good performance and memory safety while maintaining a small resource footprint.

Key Features of RQuickShare:

• Wireless file transfers between Linux and Android devices
• No additional apps required on Android phones
• Support for transferring multiple files simultaneously
• Integration with the Linux desktop environment
• System tray functionality for convenient access
• Open-source development with regular updates

One important limitation to note is that both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for RQuickShare to function properly. This is because the service relies on mDNS (multicast DNS) communication for device discovery, which typically doesn’t work across different networks.

Prerequisites for Installing RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9

Before proceeding with the installation of RQuickShare on your Rocky Linux 9 system, ensure that you meet the following prerequisites:

System Requirements

• A working installation of Rocky Linux 9
• At least 50MB of free disk space
• Administrator (sudo) privileges on your system
• Active internet connection for downloading packages
• Both devices (computer and phone) connected to the same Wi-Fi network

GLIBC Version Compatibility

RQuickShare requires a minimum GLIBC version which is specified in the package name. Before installation, verify your system’s GLIBC version by running the following command in your terminal:

ldd --version

Make note of the version number as you’ll need to select the appropriate RQuickShare package that’s compatible with your system.

Required Hardware

• Wi-Fi adapter (built-in or external)
• Bluetooth adapter (recommended but not strictly required)

Bluetooth capability is recommended as it helps with device discovery. RQuickShare uses Bluetooth to broadcast an advertisement that prompts Android devices to make their mDNS service available. Without Bluetooth, you may need to manually initiate sharing from your Android device.

Preparing Your Rocky Linux 9 System

Proper preparation ensures a smooth installation process. Follow these steps to prepare your Rocky Linux 9 system for RQuickShare:

Update Your System

First, ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest packages and security updates:

sudo dnf update -y

This command updates all installed packages to their latest versions, ensuring compatibility and security.

Install Essential Tools

Next, install the essential tools required for downloading and installing RQuickShare:

sudo dnf install wget curl unzip -y

Configure Firewall Settings

RQuickShare requires certain ports to be open for communication. Configure your firewall to allow the necessary traffic:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=mdns
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

This allows multicast DNS (mDNS) traffic, which is essential for device discovery in RQuickShare.

Install Required Dependencies

RQuickShare requires certain indicator libraries to function properly. Install them using:

sudo dnf install libayatana-appindicator -y

If the above package is not available, you can alternatively install:

sudo dnf install libappindicator3 -y

These libraries enable system tray functionality for RQuickShare, allowing it to run in the background while being accessible from the system tray.

Installation Methods for RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9

Rocky Linux, being an RPM-based distribution, offers several methods to install RQuickShare. Choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences.

Using DNF (Preferred Method)

The DNF package manager is the recommended method for installing RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9 as it automatically handles dependencies:

1. First, navigate to the RQuickShare GitHub releases page in your web browser
2. Download the appropriate RPM package for your system
3. Open a terminal and navigate to your download directory:

cd ~/Downloads/

4. Install RQuickShare using DNF:

sudo dnf install ./r-quick-share-main_*-x86_64.rpm

DNF will automatically resolve and install any required dependencies, making this the most hassle-free installation method.

Using RPM Command

If you prefer using the traditional RPM command:

1. Download the appropriate RPM package as mentioned above
2. Navigate to your download directory:

cd ~/Downloads/

3. Install using the rpm command:

sudo rpm -i r-quick-share-${VERSION}.rpm

Replace ${VERSION} with the actual version number of the downloaded package. Note that this method may require manually installing dependencies if they’re missing.

Using AppImage (No Root Required)

The AppImage option provides a portable installation that doesn’t require root privileges:

1. Download the AppImage file from the RQuickShare GitHub releases page
2. Install the required FUSE library:

sudo dnf install fuse fuse-libs -y

3. Make the AppImage executable:

chmod +x r-quick-share_${VERSION}.AppImage

4. Run the AppImage:

./r-quick-share_${VERSION}.AppImage

This method is particularly useful if you don’t have root access or prefer not to install applications system-wide.

Resolving Dependencies for RQuickShare

While the installation methods above should handle dependencies automatically, you might encounter issues with missing libraries. Here’s how to resolve common dependency problems:

Indicator Libraries

RQuickShare requires indicator libraries for system tray functionality. If you encounter errors related to missing indicators, install either of these packages:

# Option 1
sudo dnf install libayatana-appindicator -y

# Option 2 (alternative)
sudo dnf install libappindicator3 -y

FUSE for AppImage

If using the AppImage version, ensure FUSE is properly installed:

sudo dnf install fuse fuse-libs -y

Checking for Missing Dependencies

To check for any missing shared libraries that RQuickShare might need:

ldd $(which rquickshare) | grep "not found"

This command helps identify any missing libraries that need to be installed.

EPEL Repository

Some dependencies might be available in the EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository. If needed, enable it with:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf update

This expands the available package repository, providing access to additional libraries that might be required by RQuickShare.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing RQuickShare, several configuration steps will optimize your experience:

First-Time Launch

Launch RQuickShare either from your application menu or by running:

rquickshare

The first time you launch RQuickShare, you’ll be prompted to configure initial settings.

Configure Auto-Launch

To make RQuickShare start automatically when you log in:

1. Click on the RQuickShare icon in the system tray
2. Select the three-dot menu
3. Enable “Start at login”

This ensures RQuickShare is always available without manually starting it each time.

Setting Default Download Directory

By default, RQuickShare saves received files to your Downloads folder. To change this:

1. Click on the RQuickShare icon in the system tray
2. Select the three-dot menu
3. Choose “Settings”
4. Set your preferred download location

Configure App Behavior

Decide whether RQuickShare should continue running in the background when you close its window:

1. Click on the RQuickShare icon in the system tray
2. Select the three-dot menu
3. Toggle “Stop app on close” according to your preference

If you disable this option, RQuickShare will continue running in the system tray when you close the main window, allowing you to receive files at any time.

Custom Port Configuration

For firewall configurations or network requirements, you can set a static port for RQuickShare:

1. Edit the settings file:

vim ~/.local/share/dev.mandre.rquickshare/.settings.json

2. Add or modify the port setting:

{
  ...existing_config...,
  "port": 12345
}

Ensure the JSON remains valid after your modification.

Using RQuickShare on Rocky Linux 9

With RQuickShare installed and configured, you can now enjoy seamless file sharing between your Rocky Linux 9 system and Android devices.

Sending Files from Rocky Linux to Android

1. Launch RQuickShare if it’s not already running
2. Click on the “Send” button in the RQuickShare interface
3. Select the file(s) you want to send
4. Choose your Android device from the list of nearby devices
5. Confirm the transfer on your Android device when prompted
6. Monitor the progress in the RQuickShare window

You can also drag and drop files directly onto the RQuickShare window to initiate a transfer.

Receiving Files from Android to Rocky Linux

1. Ensure RQuickShare is running on your Rocky Linux system
2. On your Android device, select the file you want to share
3. Tap the Share button and select “Nearby Share” or “Quick Share”
4. Wait for your Rocky Linux device to appear in the list
5. Tap on your Rocky Linux device to initiate the transfer
6. The file will be saved to your configured download directory

If your Rocky Linux device doesn’t appear, you might need to click on the RQuickShare icon to ensure it’s visible to nearby devices.

Monitoring Transfers

The RQuickShare interface displays active transfers with progress indicators, allowing you to monitor ongoing operations. You can cancel transfers by clicking the cancel button next to an in-progress transfer.

Managing Connected Devices

RQuickShare remembers devices it has connected to previously, making future transfers faster. You can view and manage paired devices through the settings menu.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite its straightforward design, you might encounter some issues when using RQuickShare. Here are solutions to common problems:

Devices Not Discovering Each Other

If your devices can’t see each other:

1. Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
2. Verify that mDNS communication is allowed on your network
3. Check if your firewall is blocking necessary ports
4. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices if possible

Public networks often block mDNS traffic, which may prevent device discovery.

Android Device Not Visible

Android doesn’t always broadcast its mDNS service, even in “Everyone” visibility mode. Try these workarounds:

1. Use the “Files” app on your Android device and go to the “Nearby Share” tab
2. Create a shortcut on your Android device using a shortcut maker app with:
   • Activity: com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.ReceiveSurfaceActivity
   • Or Action: com.google.android.gms.RECEIVE_NEARBY with Mime type: */*

Connection Failures

If connections fail during file transfers:

1. Try restarting both the RQuickShare application and your Android device
2. Check your network connectivity
3. Verify that no VPN is active on either device
4. Ensure firewall settings allow the necessary connections

Blank Window or Application Not Running

Some users, particularly those with NVIDIA graphics cards, may experience a blank window. Try:

env WEBKIT_DISABLE_COMPOSITING_MODE=1 rquickshare

Alternatively, you can try the legacy variant of RQuickShare if available.

App Won’t Reopen After Closing

If you close RQuickShare but can’t reopen it, the application might still be running in the background. Check with:

ps aux | grep r-quick-share

You can terminate the existing process with:

killall rquickshare

Or configure RQuickShare to completely close when you close the window as described in the configuration section.

Advanced Configuration and Security

For power users, RQuickShare offers advanced configuration options that enhance security and performance.

Command-Line Options

Launch RQuickShare with specific parameters to override default behavior:

rquickshare --help

This displays available command-line options for customizing your experience.

Security Considerations

When using RQuickShare, consider these security aspects:

1. File sharing occurs over your local network – avoid using RQuickShare on untrusted networks
2. Received files should be scanned for malware before opening
3. Consider limiting the visibility period to reduce exposure
4. Be cautious when accepting file transfers from unknown devices

Performance Optimization

For optimal performance:

1. Close unused applications to free up system resources
2. Consider a wired network connection for larger file transfers
3. Monitor system resources during large transfers
4. Clear the RQuickShare cache periodically for smoother operation

Integration with Desktop Environment

RQuickShare integrates with your Rocky Linux desktop environment, providing notifications for incoming transfers and completed operations. Ensure your notification system is properly configured for the best experience.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed RQuickShare. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing RQuickShare on the Rocky Linux 9 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official RQuickShare website.