How do I transfer files from Linux to iOS and vice versa via local WLAN?

6 points by slategruen 4y ago ↗ HN

For small files less than 100 megabytes, I could easily use iCloud or other cloud storage services. However, for very large files greater than a gigabyte, not only I get limited by my Internet speed but also by my cloud storage space. Are there any tools I could use to transfer large files from my Linux computer to my iPhone (and maybe vice versa too) without needing Internet connection?

11 comments

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alex14fr 4y ago ↗

Use SSH (SFTP) Luke.

tiddles 4y ago ↗

I use a simple python http server that supports uploads. Good for transfers of photos and files both ways.

https://gist.github.com/UniIsland/3346170

aborsy 4y ago ↗

There is GSConnect Gnome/KDE extension:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1319/gsconnect/

I had issues with it, but may work for you.

[deleted] 4y ago ↗

(comment deleted)

mardiyah 4y ago ↗

Try some file sharing website like sendbig .com

Peer to peer (P2P) file sharing allows users to access media files using a P2P software program that searches for other connected computers on a P2P network to locate sought files

jqpabc123 4y ago ↗

Most operating systems have FTP support of some sort built in somewhere.

My go to solution on Android is an open source file browser app called Material Files that has a simple FTP server built-in. Start the server (note the IP and port) then connect over local WiFi using native File Explorer in Windows to easily browse and transfer between phone and desktop

I'm sure something similar can be done with iOS and Linux but probably in a less intuitive manner. I don't do Apple but this looks like it has potential to be part of the solution.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fe-file-explorer-file-manager/...

tonymilton77 4y ago ↗

Setup a Samba share on the linux box and then access the share via the Files app on iOS. This is working well for me but sadly you don't get a decent progress indicator.

leejoramo 4y ago ↗

There are several apps that will access remote file systems and share them via iOS Files

For your use case I would look at SFTP and use the ShellFish app

https://secureshellfish.app

There are similar apps that add WebDAV servers to FIles. There are a number of media players and text editors that provide built-in WebDAV support

I have also used other apps to share between Linux and iOS: DropBox, Resilio Sync

SyncThing is now supported via the app Möbius Sync. (But I have yet to try it)

https://www.mobiussync.com

sigjuice 4y ago ↗

This might work

An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

https://github.com/seemoo-lab/opendrop

runjake 4y ago ↗

The built-in Files app on iOS supports SMB shares. Set up Samba on your Linux box and you should be good to go.

Using AirDrop (proprietary protocol) hacks can (and has) break at any iOS release.

derefnull 4y ago ↗

I have been using Transmit for iOS, and it fits this use case perfectly. In particular I use SSH/SFTP (with key based authentication) to ship files around my WLAN.

Unfortunately, as I have just learned, they stopped offering the software for sale https://panic.com/blog/the-future-of-transmit-ios/.

Disappointing.

That said, I will continue to use Transmit because I paid for it and it does its job well.

From this thread, it appears that secureshellfish may be a good equivalent.