Access Shared Windows/Mac Files on iPhone, iPad and Android

Shared folders on Windows or Mac, using the built-in sharing option, can be accessed from android devices, iPhone or iPad via wireless. You can watch movies (which are in your PC's hard disk) on your smartphone or tablet or just copy some files from your computer.

In short details you will share a folder from your computer, then install an app on your android or iPhone and access those shared folders.

Note: To access shared files your android or apple device should be connected to the same network/router as your computer is. To access the shared files, one must know the computer's username and password who have shared the files, so not everyone can access your data.

How to Share folder

First you need to turn on file and printer sharing in Windows to be able to share a folder.

1. Go to Control Panel and then to Network and Sharing Center.

2. Now click change advance sharing settings on the left and under your network profile check the circle which says "Turn on file and printer sharing".

3. Now right click the folder you want to share and click Properties.

2. Go to Sharing tab and click Advance Sharing.

3. Now tick the checkbox which says "Share this folder" and press apply.

Now your folder is shared.

Access folder on Android

You will need a third-party file manager app. Android is pretty flexible OS, so there are a bunch of apps available, the best one we know is ES File Explorer. Install it, open it and tap the menu button (it looks like phone and a globe in background), tap Network and then tap LAN. Now tap scan button and it will list the PC's connected to your local network by IP address. So you have to know your computer's local IP address.

In cmd type ipconfig and hit enter, your IPv4 Address will be your local IP address.

Now tap your PC's IP address and you might be asked about username and password of your Windows/Mac username. After entering that, you can browse files, watch movies etc.

Access folders on iPhone

iOS is less flexible than Android, so there are less apps available but the best free one is File Explorer Free. Install it, run it and tap + button and choose Windows or Mac. Now it will list PC's. Tap your PC and write username and password of your computer's username and you can access your files.