User Guide
QuickLinks
How to Get your Files into FileBrowser
There are several ways to get files in and out of FileBrowser. Files can be synchronized over a USB cable with iTunes or you can connect to your computer or network drives via WiFi. You can also connect to remote computers over the Internet via 3G or public WiFi with the appropriate set up. Please see our External Access guide for details.
FileBrowser is not able to browse the files of other apps, because the iPad / iPhone file system is not like that of a PC. Each app has its own private folders and is not permitted to directly access folders of other apps.
Connect to a Machine
FileBrowser can connect to any compatible network device via the SMB protocol. Simply add a machine to FileBrowser's machines page and tap to connect and start browsing.
Show me howiTunes Sync
This allows many files to be copied to or from your iPad / iPhone and your computer running iTunes.
Show me howConnect to a Machine
This view lists all machines known to FileBrowser, listed alphabetically. Each entry shows the display name, and the connection status of that machine. A blue question mark icon indicates that the machine is not connected.
To connect to a machine, simply tap it. A connection icon will animate whilst the machine is being contacted, and will change to a server icon once connected and authenticated.
If a connection fails, the blue question mark icon will change to a red exclamation mark icon and tapping this icon will give hints how to resolve this problem.
Adding a Machine
The first thing to do in FileBrowser is to add a Machine. Tap the + icon in the top right corner, see screenshot to the right.
See More specific information for your OS
iTunes Sync
Copy files from your Computer to your iPad / iPhone
Step 1
Open iTunes with your iPad / iPhone connected and selected. Click the Apps button at the top and scroll down. Click on the FileBrowser icon on the left.
Step 2
Click the "Add..." button in iTunes or drag the files from a Mac Finder or Windows Explorer window into the "FileBrowser Documents" window.
Please note copying nested folders of files is not permitted in the iTunes sync feature
Copy files from iPad / iPhone to your Computer.
In FileBrowser, any files that you have placed in the "iTunes Sync" location will be available to copy from your iPad / iPhone to your computer. Simply drag these from the window in iTunes to a local folder in Mac Finder or Windows Explorer.
Open In
Other apps can send files to FileBrowser so you can store them on your iPad / iPhone or your remote drives. For example you can send an attachment from the iPad / iPhone's mail app by tapping and holding on the attachment, then scroll through the list of available apps to find FileBrowser.
In the other direction, Open In from FileBrowser will bring up a list of Apps that have registered to handle that file type. If the file is remote it will be automatically copied to a local temporary folder before it is launched into the selected app.
This can be done via the actions menu. See here.
Viewing a Document
Tapping on a file name listed in a folder will read that file from the server and then open it. From this page you can add a Bookmark by tapping the '+' icon in the toolbar, for rapid navigation to this file next time.
Alternatively, you can view a document full screen. See 'File Context Menu' section below.
File Context Menu
This can be accessed via the blue chevron to the right of your files.
View FullScreen / Print
This views files in fullscreen even if you hold the iPad horizontally. Tapping the actions menu in fullscreen mode allows you to print your document see here.
Open In...
Pass file to another app. For more information click here
Open as Text
Open files such as html as text
Rename
Click the blue chevron and tap rename.
Delete
Tap to delete a file. Alternatively swipe from left to right in the cell. This will show you its delete button. To delete multiple files or folders see here.
Attach file to an Email.
Copy
Tap to copy a file. To copy multiple files or folders see here.
Toolbar Actions Menu
Paste
Tap to complete a copy or move action.
Sort
Sorting your files and folders helps you find what you are after faster. The sort options are listed below:
- Last Modified Date
- Folder or File Name
- Folders then File Name
- File Size
- File Type
Add New Folder
Click to add a new folder.
Rename This Folder
To rename a folder, navigate inside the folder then use the toolbar actions menu.
FullScreen Actions Menu
This can be accessed on the top toolbar.
Save to Photos
Save to your iPad / iPhone's photo directory
Open In...
Pass file to another app. For more information click here
Send your document to an AirPrint device.
Attach document or image to an Email, if you have a large image you will be given the option to send a smaller version of the image.
Deleting, Copying, Moving Multiple Files or Folders
Step 1
Click the "edit" button" in a folder.
Step 2
Select the files and or folders you want to copy, move or delete, then do one of the following.
- Copy or Move them to another folder. Tap Copy/Move and go to step 3.
- Delete them by tapping the Delete button.
- Cancel multi-selection mode by tapping the Done button.
Step 3
Navigate to where you want your files or folders to be copied/moved and click the actions menu in the toolbar and select paste or move.
To enable copy/move on remote folders, tap on the main Config page and then go in to "Admin Settings" and enable "Create Files & Folders".
This feature is switched off by default to prevent remote files being accidentally overwritten.
Search folders for files
Click on the search icon and then type into the search field, and the folder listing will show all filenames containing this text.
Delete Folder / File
To delete a folder or file, swipe from right to left in the cell. This will show you its delete button.
Image Viewing
You can view your images fullscreen, swiping left or right for back and next. You could also use the Back and Next buttons in the top toolbar.
Slideshow
Viewing your images as a slideshow could not be easier. Press the play button and the images in the current folder will play in sequence.
To change the delay between images look in the config tab.
Selecting Multiple Images
You can select multiple images in the image view by tapping the Tick button on each image. Selecting them turns the tick red like the screenshot. When you have finished you will be returned to the folder view in edit mode where you can choose to copy, move or delete your images.
Accessing iPad / iPhone's Photos
You now have access to the photos synced to your iPad / iPhone from iPhoto. Clicking the "Photo Library" heading in the left hand column will show you the following folders:
- Albums
- Events
- Faces
- Saved Photos
Video / Audio Streaming
Tapping a file with an audio or video icon on a remote server will stream it automatically.
Repeat & Shuffle play mode for audio/video files.
Look in the config tab for the repeat and shuffle options.
For movies such as DivX or AVI you need to use Open In to send them to a compatible application (such as CineXPlayer). Large movie files may take some time to start.
