How to wirelessly access network shares from your ios device

Sharing WiFi from an iPhone with another Apple device means that you won’t have to tell anyone your WiFi password. Previously, you would have to download a third-party app to do this. However, after iOS 11, Apple has made it easy to share a WiFi password from an iPhone to another iPhone, an iPad, or any Mac computer running macOS Sierra or later. Here’s how to share your WiFi password on an iPhone:

Before you start, make sure your Apple ID is in the other person’s contact list. You can find what your Apple ID is here. Then go to contacts, click Edit in the top right corner, and add your Apple ID under the contact name’s email address.

How to Share WiFi from Your iPhone

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone. This is the gear-shaped icon on your home screen.
2. Then tap Bluetooth and make sure it is turned on. You will know Bluetooth is on if the slider at the top of your screen is green.
3. Then go back to Settings and tap WiFi.
4. Make sure WiFi is turned on, and sign in to a WiFi network. You can sign into a WiFi network by clicking its name from the list below and entering your login information. If your iPhone automatically signs into your WiFi network, you can skip this step.
5. On the iPhone that needs the WiFi password, go to Settings.
6. Tap WiFi. If you are trying to share a WiFi password with a Mac computer, tap the WiFi icon in the top-right corner of your screen and select a WiFi network from the drop-down menu.
7. Choose the same WiFi network. This should be the same network that the iPhone that will be sharing the password is already connected to.
8. Don’t enter the password when prompted.
9. On the iPhone that’s already connected, go to WiFi.
10. Tap Share Password on the pop-up window. The two iPhones need to be within Bluetooth range.
11. The other iPhone will then receive the password and be able to connect to the WiFi.

What to Do When iPhone WiFi Sharing is Not Working

If you’re having trouble sharing WiFi password between the devices, here are a few ways to make it work:

• Restart the iPhone and another device.
• Make sure that both devices have the most recent software updates. To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install. If you don’t see the option to download and update, your iPhone is up to date.
• Disconnect from the WiFi connection and then rejoin. To do this, go to Settings > WiFi and tap on the network name. Tap the letter “i” icon and then tap “Forget this Network.” Once that’s done, rejoin the network and enter the password.
• Reset the network settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• Finally, try to reboot the router. If you want to know how to reset your router, check out our guide here.

Sharing WiFi from an iPhone with another Apple device means that you won’t have to tell anyone your WiFi password. Previously, you would have to download a third-party app to do this. However, after iOS 11, Apple has made it easy to share a WiFi password from an iPhone to another iPhone, an iPad, or any Mac computer running macOS Sierra or later. Here’s how to share your WiFi password on an iPhone:

Before you start, make sure your Apple ID is in the other person’s contact list. You can find what your Apple ID is here. Then go to contacts, click Edit in the top right corner, and add your Apple ID under the contact name’s email address.

How to Share WiFi from Your iPhone

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone. This is the gear-shaped icon on your home screen.
2. Then tap Bluetooth and make sure it is turned on. You will know Bluetooth is on if the slider at the top of your screen is green.
3. Then go back to Settings and tap WiFi.
4. Make sure WiFi is turned on, and sign in to a WiFi network. You can sign into a WiFi network by clicking its name from the list below and entering your login information. If your iPhone automatically signs into your WiFi network, you can skip this step.
5. On the iPhone that needs the WiFi password, go to Settings.
6. Tap WiFi. If you are trying to share a WiFi password with a Mac computer, tap the WiFi icon in the top-right corner of your screen and select a WiFi network from the drop-down menu.
7. Choose the same WiFi network. This should be the same network that the iPhone that will be sharing the password is already connected to.
8. Don’t enter the password when prompted.
9. On the iPhone that’s already connected, go to WiFi.
10. Tap Share Password on the pop-up window. The two iPhones need to be within Bluetooth range.
11. The other iPhone will then receive the password and be able to connect to the WiFi.

What to Do When iPhone WiFi Sharing is Not Working

If you’re having trouble sharing WiFi password between the devices, here are a few ways to make it work:

• Restart the iPhone and another device.
• Make sure that both devices have the most recent software updates. To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install. If you don’t see the option to download and update, your iPhone is up to date.
• Disconnect from the WiFi connection and then rejoin. To do this, go to Settings > WiFi and tap on the network name. Tap the letter “i” icon and then tap “Forget this Network.” Once that’s done, rejoin the network and enter the password.
• Reset the network settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• Finally, try to reboot the router. If you want to know how to reset your router, check out our guide here.

With iPadOS 13, Apple updated the Files app to allow connections to SMB file servers, including shared Windows folders, on a network. This removes the need to download and install any third-party apps. Users can easily create, edit and delete files in the shared folders as if they are locally accessible. Here is how you can connect and use shared Windows Folders from your iPhone or iPad.

Access Shared Windows Folders on iPad & iPhone

Before you begin, note the below:

• You should have the latest version of iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 on your iPhone or iPad. While this guide focused on the iPad, it works in the same way on an iPhone.
• You would also need to have shared folders available either from a Windows PC, Mac or NAS (network attached storage). These servers can be located locally or over the Internet.
• Obtain the server address, user name, and password. The server address might be in the form of an IP address, for example, 192.168.1.1 over a local network or 64.233.160.0 over the Internet. It can also be in the form of a domain such as

Once you have all the information, follow the next steps:

1. Open the Files app n your iPhone or iPad and tap on the three dots button on the top left. Tap on Connect to Server in the menu.
2. Put in the server address and tap Connect.
3. You will be given the option to connect as a guest user or a registered user. Based on how the security permissions and accounts are set up on your file server, select the right option and enter the username and password if required. Tap next once done.
4. That’s it. You will now be connected to the shared folder. The folder will show under a new ‘shared’ heading in the left sidebar. You can browse through your folders as you would with local iPad files or iCloud Drive files.
5. Files app supports features like copy, move, delete, duplication and file renaming for shared folders. Whether you are accessing shared Windows folders, Mac folders, or Linux file servers, the same file management functions are supported. You might not be able to open certain files if you don’t have a supported app on your iPad or iPhone to open them.
6. You can also create new folders by long pressing in an empty space in the app. The app will also give you the option to scan documents and save them directly to the shared folder on the file server.
7. Tapping on Info will show details like Folder name, location and creation dates, however, Files app does not show the folder size.

Once you are done using your file server, you can tap the eject button next to the file server address under Shared in the left sidebar. This will disconnect you from the file server. You can easily reconnect by going to the Connect to Server option, as the Files app will have saved the details under ‘Recent Servers’ list. You can remove your recent servers, if you don’t want them to show here.

Do you connect to your file servers often from your iPhone or iPad? Let us know your experience and workflow in the comments below.

Check out our other guides for iPadOS and iOS 13:

Summary

It is possible to connect your iOS device to TouchCopy using either a USB cable or over a WiFi connection.

Please make sure you’re using the latest version of TouchCopy for PC or Mac, as this feature was added in version 16.20 of the software. You can download and install TouchCopy from here.

In order for TouchCopy to find your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad on a Wifi connection the following conditions need to be satisfied.

1. Your iOS device and the computer running TouchCopy need to be connected to the same WiFi network.
2. Your iOS device needs to have been previously connected to your computer via USB cable. More details.
3. Your iOS device needs to have been set to enable WiFi syncing with the iTunes library present on the computer running TouchCopy. More Details.
4. Your iOS device needs to have a battery level of above 50% or be connected to a charger.

If, having followed these instructions, you are still unable to connect to your device over Wi-Fi you can still connect using a USB cable.

Note that connecting your device to TouchCopy over Wifi will be slower than connecting through a USB cable. So, if you have lots of music and photo to copy over using TouchCopy, we recommend connecting with a USB cable.

Your iOS device needs to have been connected to your computer before.

If the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch has not previously been connected with a USB cable to the computer you are running TouchCopy on – TouchCopy will not find the device on a WiFi network. In this case, you will need to connect your iOS device to your computer using a USB cable.

Connect your device to your computer.

If your device has a passcode on the lock screen, enter the passcode to access your devices home screen.

For devices using iOS7 or higher, tap Trust on your device to trust your computer. If you choose not to trust the connected computer, you can charge your device, but the connected computer won’t be able to access any content on your device.

iTunes or TouchCopy not finding your device when connected with USB? Troubleshooting an iPhone USB connection >

Enable WiFi Syncing Setting in iTunes.

In order for TouchCopy to find your device on a WiFi network – you need to set the device up for WiFi Syncing. This is done with iTunes.

Connect your device to your computer using the USB cable as described above.

Click on the device icon in iTunes.

Scroll down the Device Summary view until you reach the “Options” section. Here you will see the checkbox “Sync this iPhone over Wi-fi”. Make sure that this checkbox is checked. Then click the “Done” button to apply these settings.

Now, when you open iTunes and your iPhone/iPod/iPad is unlocked and on the same WiFi network, the device will appear in iTunes!

This also allows you to do the same in TouchCopy. Simply open TouchCopy, and unlock your device which is on the same WiFi network as the computer. Your device will show up in TouchCopy, without being connected with a cable!

Troubleshooting a Wi-Fi connection

If TouchCopy or iTunes is not detecting your device when using Wi-Fi, check the steps below:

• Your computer and iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Your iOS device screen is unlocked and is showing the homescreen.
• Check that your Wi-Fi network is set to allow devices to discover each other (Windows systems)

1. Open Control Panel from your Start menu.

2. Choose “Network and Internet”, then “Network and Sharing Centre”.

3. Click “Change advanced sharing settings”.

4. Turn On Network Discovery for your current profile.

5. Click “Save Changes”.

Don’t forget to like & share with your friends!

Read Next: TouchCopy does not detect my iPod, iPhone or iPad >

Print things out from the comfort of your iOS device using AirPrint, even if you don’t own an AirPrint-compatible printer.

Some say that printers are soon to be extinct. Others rant about their hate for the dead-tree format.

But if you’re a student, a work-at-homer, or you just appreciate hard copies, the printer still holds a very important place in your home or office.

Thing is, you might not necessarily be at your desktop computer when you realize the need to print something. If more of your time is spent on your iOS device, like an iPhone or iPad, there’s good news: you can print wirelessly from your device to your printer with a native feature called AirPrint.

Set up your printer

Is your printer AirPrint-compatible?
Either way, you’ll be able to use AirPrint, but if your printer is AirPrint-compatible, the setup will be easier. Go to this Apple support page and see if your printer is listed as one of the compatible devices.

If ‘Yes’, then:
Well, aren’t you lucky? Your AirPrint setup is very simple. Connect your iOS device and printer to the same Wi-Fi network. As far as the setup goes, you’re done.

To test the connection, open up a note in the native Notes app. Hit the action button (the square with the arrow) and select “Print.” Your printer should appear as the selected device. If not, tap the Printer field, allow your device to scan, and tap the printer name when it appears.

Hit Print, and your note should be sent to the printer almost immediately. The transfer speed will vary depending on your Wi-Fi network, but you’ll likely find that it’s surprisingly fast.

If ‘No’, then:
If your printer is not AirPrint-compatible, don’t fret. There are downloadable programs that trick your iOS device into thinking that any printer connected to your desktop is AirPrint-compatible. So, instead of the iDevice communicating directly with the printer, it goes through the computer first.

O’Print is compatible with Windows, while HandyPrint is available for Mac users.

Once installed, the program will display a list of printers installed on your computer. Enable the ones you want to print to from your iDevice. For most users, that’s just one printer, but if you have multiple printers in the house, you can enable them all.

To test the connection, open up a note in the native Notes app. Hit the action button (the square with the arrow) and select “Print.” Your printer should appear as the selected device. If not, tap the Printer field, allow your device to scan, and tap the printer name when it appears.

Hit Print, and your note should be sent to the printer almost immediately. The transfer speed will vary depending on your Wi-Fi network, but you’ll likely find that it’s surprisingly fast.

Just remember: For this setup to work, your computer must stay powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iOS device(s).

AirPrint-enabled apps

With AirPrint set up, you can now print almost anything you see on your iOS device. Photos, maps, Web pages, and even content from third-party apps can be sent to your printer wirelessly. Here’s a list of just a few of the useful AirPrint-ready apps:

• Google Maps. Print out maps and driving directions.
• Instapaper. Get a hard copy of an article or blog.
• Evernote. Any of your notes can be printed out.
• Safari. Print an entire Web page using the action button at the top of the browser.
• iWork. Get paper versions of any Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
• How to Cook Everything. Print recipes and shopping lists from this iPad cooking app.

The latest versions of iOS offer a very nice feature that lets you easily share wi-fi passwords from an iPhone or iPad so that other people can quickly join a wireless network that you’re already connected to. While there is still no way to see the wi-fi router password in iOS, the ability to share a wi-fi password and assist another device to join a wireless network is a great feature and a step in the right direction.

This trick should help to avoid those annoying situations where you’re trying to relay or receive a confusing wi-fi password, a fairly routine situation when a new guest comes to your office or home, and you’re then going through the process of relaying a complicated wireless password which can be a hassle. Even worse is if you’re visiting someones home who is not tech savvy and they have a wild wi-fi password assigned by their ISP that is some mishmash of 20 randomized characters which most humans will never remember, and you go on a little goose chase to track down the password. So, this iOS feature attempts to help that situation by making it easy to share a wi-fi password from a device that is actively connected to the network.

Before beginning, you must meet some simple requirements:

Requirements for Sharing Wi-Fi Passwords in iOS

• All iPhone and iPad devices involved must have iOS 11 or newer installed
• All iOS devices must have wi-fi and Bluetooth enabled
• The device sharing the password must be actively connected to the same wi-fi network the other device wants to join
• All devices involved must be in close physical proximity to one another
• You must have one another in each others Contacts list

The requirements sound more complicated than they are, but basically any two updated devices that are in the same room will likely be sufficient. You can also share wi-fi passwords from an iOS device to a Mac if the computer is running macOS 10.13 or newer, but we’re focusing on the iPhone and iPad here, since Macs have other ways of revealing wi-fi passwords if need be, a task that is currently impossible in iOS.

How to Share a Wi-Fi Password from iOS with Other iPhone and iPad

Assuming the devices involved meet the aforementioned requirements for sharing network passwords, here’s how to share a wi-fi password from one iPhone or iPad with another iPad or iPhone:

1. Position both iOS devices physically close to one another
2. On the device needing the wi-fi password, open the “Settings” app and go to “Wi-Fi” and then attempt to join the network, then stop at the “Enter Password” screen

Unlock the iOS device that is currently connected to the wi-fi network, and wait a moment until a large “Wi-Fi Password” screen shows up, then tap the “Share Password” button