UPDATED 2/28/11
FTP On The Go now supports SFTP for transfering files. I must admit GoodReader has more features than FTP On The Go but I kind of like the simplicity of FTP On The Go. I use the regular version instead of the Pro version since the ‘Pro’ didn’t exist before.
Also with iOS5 you can sync the iPhone via WiFi. No need to set-up the complicated server mode in FTP On The Go described in the old instructions at the bottom. Just set-up your AdHoc network and your iPhone shows up like it was connected with a cable.
If I get the time I’ll clean-up these instructions and retire the old ones.
UPDATED 9/20/11
If you need to use SFTP to transfer files use GoodReader which supports SFTP. You can do the same easy File Sharing trick via iTunes to get your files into Good Reader on the iPhone.
The author of FTP On The Go says an update which supports SFTP will probably come with the next update of the app when it’s updated for iOS 5.
UPDATED 7/18/11 Your life got a whole lot easier
Things have gotten a lot easier since I posted the instructions at the bottom (which I’ll still leave up for the curious or those who forgot their USB cable).
You can now just drag-n-drop the files you want to transmit onto your iPhone using the newer versions of iTunes.
File Sharing with FTP On The Go
Here are the steps if you have your iPhone USB cable
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac
- In iTunes click on the iPhone icon in the left sidebar then click on the Apps tab as seen above
- Scroll down to File Sharing, click on FTPOnTheGo in the Apps column on the left
- Drag and Drop your files into the FTPOnTheGo Documents window on the right (there’s also an Add button)
- Disconnect and transmit to your server
——————————ancient instructions below———————————
I’ve gotten a few requests from photographers as to how it’s possible to transmit images from the field to an FTP server via an iPhone. These are the instructions on how I do it, there are other instructions online like here.
What you’ll need:
- An iPhone
- A computer with a WiFi card (most have them built-in these days)
- An internet connection via your iPhone
- iPhone application FTP On The Go
- FTP application on your computer (i.e. Transmit, CyberDuck, FileZilla, CoreFTP, etc)
Step 1. Create an AdHoc wireless network.
Visit the FTP On The Go website for a tutorial on creating an AdHock network.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to this AdHoc network
On the iPhone go to Settings>WiFi>Choose a Network…, choose your AdHoc network, type in your password if you set-up one.
Step 3. Enable FTP On The Go file server
On the iPhone launch FTP On The Go click on Settings>Sharing “Saved Files,” Enable FTP Server.
This will show you the FTP info you need to plug into your computer’s FTP application. Server Address and Port. Write that stuff down (a sticky note in Dashboard on a Mac is good for this). *Note: You may have to turn this switch off then back on to get a proper IP address, sometimes it’s stuck on a non-usable address that has small numbers in the tens instead of in the hundreds.*
Step 4. Move the images from your computer to the iPhone
On the computer launch your FTP app (Transmit shown in the example, just choose anonymous login if you have to set that in your FTP app, Transmit assumes it if you don’t type in a username/password).
Drag your files/photos over to the iPhone via your FTP application. (you could also do this via the Web Server in FTP On The Go but it didn’t show me a progress in the Safari browser, I like to see the progress bar in my FTP app).
Step 5. Turn-off your AdHoc network
You can put away your computer at this point, you’ll be transmitting via the iPhone.
Step 6. Connect your iPhone to the internet and transmit
Make sure you’re connected to the internet via Settings, then launch FTP On The Go. Enter the FTP server data where you want to transmit your files.
Once connected to the FTP server touch ‘Saved Files’ icon, touch the file you want to transmit (it will put a checkmark next to it), touch the upload icon (2nd from right with the up arrow).
Your files will now be transmitted via the iPhone to the FTP server.
That’s it. Although this tutorial is long you should have it figured-out after a few times.
Hints/Tips:
- FTP On The Go works with both FTP and SFTP servers.
- If you’re on AT&T with the iPhone you can connect via hotspots at McDonalds for free. (you can at Starbucks too but you’d just use your laptop if you’re at Starbucks as they offer 2 free hours/day if you have one of their gift cards registered).
- You can transmit from the iPhone via WiFi, 3G network or *gasp* EDGE.
- Don’t forget to clean-up those files before your next transmit session as they take up space in the iPhone memory.
- You could transmit via iPod Touch but only via WiFi, good in case you don’t want to lug your laptop to where the WiFi hotspot is.
- If you don’t have an FTP app you can turn-on the Web Server instead of FTP server in FTP On The Go. This way if you’re using a friend’s laptop without an FTP app.
- Creating an AdHoc network is also good if your iPhone applications need to sync data to your computer and you don’t have a network available (ie. Splash ID, Splash Shopper, iProRecorder)
If you have any questions, suggestions, corrections, etc just email me. baron@mediabaron.com
