So Im trying to get Zorin Connect to pair between the laptop and phone and it is not working with my Samsung Galaxy S23. I tried a Pixel 9 Pro and it works perfect and easily, but the samsung wont discover the laptop. I even tried a direct IP connection manually and it wont ping.
This led me to think the problem was something on the samsung, and some google searching told me that Samsung has something called Knox built in as a firewall. I see in settings I do indeed have a Knox version listed. The problem is there is no way I can find to configure this and allow Zorin Connect through the firewall on the phone.
Does anyone else on these forums have a Samsung Galaxy and use Zorin Connect and know how to get this working?
Or, since Samsung phones have a "Link To Windows" feature built in that I know works from the old laptop, is there a way to configure Zorin Connect on the phone and laptop to run over the same port that the Link To Windows uses since that already is allowed through the firewall on the phone?
Edit:
Ok, so Google AI gave me a somewhat odd solution to try and it actually worked. I have to say this is not only the first time Ive seen it give a correct answer on a technical question but to have the answer be so strange and yet work seems just crazy that it got this right.
The solution to letting an app through the built in firewall on Samsung phones is to enable Data Saver, then go to your app info and under data usage turn on allowing that app to use data while data saver is turned on. You have to leave Data Saver enabled for this to continue working, if you turn data saver off the firewall reverts back to default and the app stops being able to connect. The way Samsung has implemented Data Saver is just by creating firewall rules to block connections. So by turning it on and allowing the data the phone actually creates an allow rule that lets the app connect. Seems crazy, but it works. As soon as I did those two things the laptop shows up in the app and it pairs right away. The only problem is that many apps now have to also manually be enabled to work while data saver is on, so its a bit tedious. It is however the only way I have found to configure the firewall (though through a roundabout way) on Samsung Phones without going through the whole Knox enterprise stuff.
I find this really bizarre as when you are connected to wi-fi (which you have to be to connect with Zorin or KDE Connect) is not using Data. This sounds totally back to front, and perhaps why Samsung chose this method! LOL! Did you apply the 'Allow Zorin Connect Rule' in GUFW?
Yep, configured the Zorin side of things through that guide you linked before hand. As soon as I tested on a different phone (actually multiple) and it worked right away from everything but Samsung I knew the problem wasn't on the Zorin side of things but rather the Samsung side.
That does not surprise me. Their computer support is atrocious, particularly around BIOS updates being non-existent. I once bought 3 Samsung Monitors for the family computers. One was D.o.A, and another got a pixel line across the screen - all sent back to the supplier. Purchased 3 Philips 20" TVs, never gone wrong.
@PouchesInc Instead of an Edit to your OP, it would maybe better to move that to a new post at the bottom of the thread. That new post can then be marked as "Solution" and help others.
I guess the alternative to that would be to mark your Edited OP as "Solution".
Ok, so Google AI gave me a somewhat odd solution to try and it actually worked. I have to say this is not only the first time Ive seen it give a correct answer on a technical question but to have the answer be so strange and yet work seems just crazy that it got this right.
The solution to letting an app through the built in firewall on Samsung phones is to enable Data Saver, then go to your app info and under data usage turn on allowing that app to use data while data saver is turned on. You have to leave Data Saver enabled for this to continue working, if you turn data saver off the firewall reverts back to default and the app stops being able to connect. The way Samsung has implemented Data Saver is just by creating firewall rules to block connections. So by turning it on and allowing the data the phone actually creates an allow rule that lets the app connect. Seems crazy, but it works. As soon as I did those two things the laptop shows up in the app and it pairs right away. The only problem is that many apps now have to also manually be enabled to work while data saver is on, so its a bit tedious. It is however the only way I have found to configure the firewall (though through a roundabout way) on Samsung Phones without going through the whole Knox enterprise stuff.