WLAN Windows to Android sync not working

123)(*

I need to sync my vaults and it's not working. Windows 7 to Android, I've tried the firewall fix, the ad hoc network, no go, you name it, spent way too much time already. Wondering if I plug my phone into the PC, can I just sync that way, seems like it would be easier then all of the WLAN stuff and more secure. Also, the status of the sync, there is not a good way to find out what's happening, the Android app has the Sync icon in the settings windows, but there is no status of what's happening on the phone side or the PC side, they just sit there. Even when I got it to work some months ago, it just worked and I could never figure out what I did to get it to work. In any event, would like to know if I can just sync using the USB cord, would be easier. Thanks.

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1Password Version: Not Provided
Extension Version: Not Provided
OS Version: Not Provided
Sync Type: Not Provided

AGAlumB

@123)(*: It isn't possible to sync via USB directly. 1Password supports a few different methods though:

1Password sync options

But the most important thing to keep in mind is that your 1Password data is end-to-end encrypted, so 1Password simply doesn't depend on the sync service to protect your data. So even if WLAN Server depends heavily on your network environment and your setup doesn't support it, you can use another sync method without sacrificing security. :)

123)(*

WLAN is the only option I can see to sync that does not require a monthly subscription. If there is a way to sync other than WLAN without an additional cost, I'd be all for it. Also, you didn't answer my questions, how can I figure out what is the error with my WLAN sync?

AGAlumB

@123)(*: Sorry if I misunderstood. I'm not seeing where you asked a question. Without knowing the error or anything about your setup or the problem you're having, it's impossible to say. Definitely check out this guide, as it will walk you through making sure everything is configured properly:

WLAN Server troubleshooting

But again, it depends entirely on your network environment to work, and that isn't something 1Password has control over. Alternatively, you can sync using Dropbox. 1Password.com does have a cost associated with it, as this isn't a service we can provide for free and still be in business to answer your questions and continually improve 1Password.

123)(*

OK, let me try again, Windows 7 PC, Android Phone, 1 Password on both. There is no error code that I'm getting. That's the issue, I can't see a log or a status on either the PC or the phone. I open the App on the PC, I click to sync on the PC, the window opens with the code, it then says Idle in the top corner, I open the app in the PC, I then got to settings and click on sync. The phone app windows just sits there, there is no status or log or green light, nothing. The PC app does the same. I got this to work several times, same PC, same phone, and so I started setting up passwords on my phone and/or PC knowing that I can sync at some point. Once I get this to work once, I will go back to using one vault as it obvious you are like the other companies that are looking for a monthly revenue stream from users. I paid you for this app and expect it to work as advertised and that was that it will sync between a Windows PC and an Android phone. I don't see where WLAN is necessary, why not just hook my phone to the PC via USB and do it that way, more secure and don't have to worry about firewalls, wifi, routers, etc. Is there a way to figure this out. Otherwise, I will have to hand copy each password to manually sink and I really don't want to do that.

123)(*

4.1.6.620 Windows 7 PC 1Password version
Windows 7 Professional - all updates installed as of 5/10/17
1Password for Android version 6.5.2
Galaxy S5 Active Android Version 6.0.1

AGAlumB

@123)(*: Thanks for letting me know! Just to clarify, you didn't pay us to manage your network or sync setup, and — unless you use 1Password.com, which is a service we've built and maintain — that isn't possible. You have all of the features you paid for, but provided you have configured 1Password correctly, it isn't possible for us to control the externalities. If 1Password didn't work in this regard, everyone would be having the same problem.

Anyway, you're probably wondering why this isn't easier. The short answer is that it is; that's the whole reason we built 1Password.com. But backtracking a bit, this WLAN Server feature is something many users asked us for years ago. We didn't have this at all when 1Password 4 launched, but we added it later by popular demand (4.3?). It's weird to think back on that now. A lot has changed since then! Most significantly, nowadays most people don't want to manage their own sync setup; they just want to be able to access their data across all their devices. So after years of businesses, families, and even individual users asking us for that, we've built 1Password.com to make that not only possible, but convenient and accessible to anyone who wants it, without compromising security.

But as I mentioned previously, there are multiple sync methods available. It seems that 3 will work in your case, based on the platforms you're using:

1Password.com (no link, because there's no sync setup)

Since it is managed entirely by us, there's no sync configuration: it's built right into the apps. And if it breaks, we can fix it.

Dropbox

They handle syncing the data between devices, and this should work so long as you have a reasonably reliable internet connection. You just have to make sure you're using the same vault on each device, and Dropbox should do the rest.

WLAN Server

This requires a direct network connection between devices, with nothing blocking or filtering the traffic. Since you mentioned already trying an ad-hoc connection, we can rule our your router. And since it's unlikely that you have 3rd party software or settings on your phone which are preventing the two from communicating with each other, my guess would be that it's something on the computer.

This is definitely an advanced sync method, but if you're comfortable managing your own data and sync setup, then that's not a bad choice. But the flip side of that is that you're responsible for keeping it working, as there isn't anything we can do to change things outside of 1Password to help. If it worked previously, then something else has changed, as we just haven't made changes to how this works. We can only point you in the right direction with regard to what can cause you problems with your hardware and software setup. If that seems like a lot of trouble, well, it is, but some folks prefer that level of control. But you can't have one without the other, and not everyone has the time or inclination.

Have you followed all of the steps in this guide?

WLAN Server troubleshooting

This is literally everything we know (without getting into specifics of other apps and devices we don't control) about potential configuration issues at the device and network level, outside of 1Password. 1Password's WLAN Server feature is fairly simple, and doesn't require a lot of setup in 1Password. But there are plenty of other things that can prevent it from doing its job.

But maybe we need to start from the beginning:

How to use the WLAN server

From your description, it almost sounded like you were trying to initiate a sync in 1Password for Android first without starting the server on your PC. You first need to open this in 1Password for Windows:

Sync via WLAN Server (Windows)

Then, when you press "Start Sync" in 1Password for Android, you'll need to enter the secret code shown in 1Password for Windows to establish the connection so the data can be transmitted:

Sync via WLAN Server (Android)

I am curious about your comment "I will go back to using one vault" though. Can you clarify? WLAN Server only works with a single vault, between a single computer and one or more mobile devices. If you're trying to switch back and forth between different devices/vaults, that would be helpful to know.

You make it sound like a bad thing that we want to get paid for our work. Quite the contrary. If we don't, 1Password will cease to exist and we'll all need to make other arrangements. We really love making 1Password, and would hate to not only have to stop developing and supporting it, but also have to use something else ourselves. There are other options out there, but we've build the kind of software we want to use ourselves, and we're glad to be able to share it with anyone else who finds it useful.

Anyway, this is a lot to digest, so just let me know your results whenever you get a chance to try my suggestions.