Copy files from IPAD to Windows Server

[Scorpio]

We have a school we manage that uses ZULUDESK MDM, the staff want to transfer files such as those from the voice recorder onto the notwork from the IPAD, but they cannot use iTunes or cable, weve tried FE File Explorer but they say they cannot browse the IPAD to be able to copy it onto the network share. I've read using online cloud storage such as onedrive, how does this work browsing and copying files onto there or are they presented with this option upon save, what happens if youw ant to do it afterwards, how do you do this, without spending a massive amount when its just for a few different file types on a couple or 3 Ipads ? Ive seen Foldr but its too expensive if they choose to roll out to multiply ipads, there must be a way to do this.

 

Thanks

 

S

[DJ-1701]

Personally, I would wait until iPadOS 13 comes out later this year if your iPads support it, as they appeared to have access to SMB shares.

https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/03/ipad-apple-files-thumb-drive-sd-card-ipados/

 

Though if you want to use something like OneDrive, which uploads to the cloud, the iOS app is 200 mb to install you just go into the app when you want to upload something, and press the plus button and select to browse your files on the iPad.

[Cat_Jam148]

We use an app called Documents here https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/documents-by-readdle/id364901807

 

Great little app for saving photos & videos to a network - you should be able to share/export right into it from other apps. We do this every now and then with keynote presentations.

Edited June 13, 2019 by Cat_Jam148

[Scorpio]

Thanks for the replies so fire, the staff are trying to copy over files from the voice recorder but having no joy, does Document allow for browsing the local storage or is it more an option when saving, need it to drop on a network share.

@DJ-1701 with the onedrive, i assume they would then need to login on windows and download the uploaded files unless that onedrive is synced somewhere else on the server? Maybe have a global one set for ipads as surely you cant keep entering the onedrive details each time? does it cache the last user ?

 

Thanks.

 

S

[Cat_Jam148]

What voice recorder app are you using?

 

The voice recorder app we use here (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/voice-recorder-audio-editor/id685310398) has a share button - we're able to use that to import it into the documents app to be uploaded to the network.

 

Regarding OneDrive, we used to have a single Office 365 account just for our iPad data which we signed into our iPads OneDrive app. We then had a file server running the OneDrive client signed into that iPad data account, with the OneDrive files being saved on a network share, allowing files to be uploaded on the iPads and then sync'd to the file server. It did work for many years but as our iPad numbers grew, we found we were forever re-signing in OneDrive. The Documents app is a much better solution for us these days.

Edited June 13, 2019 by Cat_Jam148

[Scorpio]

What voice recorder app are you using?

 

The voice recorder app we use here (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/voice-recorder-audio-editor/id685310398) has a share button - we're able to use that to import it into the documents app to be uploaded to the network.

 

Regarding OneDrive, we used to have a single Office 365 account just for our iPad data which we signed into our iPads OneDrive app. We then had a file server running the OneDrive client signed into that iPad data account, with the OneDrive files being saved on a network share, allowing files to be uploaded on the iPads and then sync'd to the file server. It did work for many years but as our iPad numbers grew, we found we were forever re-signing in OneDrive. The Documents app is a much better solution for us these days.

 

Thanks, i think its the built in one ? Im not at the school they partially manage it them selves you see.

 

So how does the documents app work ? Is it over Wifi then and some sort of portal scan QR code ?

 

Cheers

 

S

[Cat_Jam148]

It's close to the FE FileExplorer app you mentioned previously. The app allows you to connect and map a shared windows drive onto the sidebar - which then can be used to upload pictures, videos and documents. I map all the drives when I configure the iPads and haven't yet had one disconnect. Also, has a built in PowerPoint and Word viewer which a few of our staff find useful.

 

It's all done over your network - no uploading to the cloud like with OneDrive.

 

I'd grab an iPad and just give it a go

[Scorpio]

It's close to the FE FileExplorer app you mentioned previously. The app allows you to connect and map a shared windows drive onto the sidebar - which then can be used to upload pictures, videos and documents. I map all the drives when I configure the iPads and haven't yet had one disconnect. Also, has a built in PowerPoint and Word viewer which a few of our staff find useful.

 

It's all done over your network - no uploading to the cloud like with OneDrive.

 

I'd grab an iPad and just give it a go

 

They tried FE File explorer but couldn't browse the Ipad, just got DOWNLOADS and ON MY IPAD, all were empty. Obviously im relying on this telling me as im remote, but installed via the MDM, can this Documents browse the folders on the Ipad? Where do files normally get saved, not had too much dealings with them apart from setting up the MDM.

 

Thanks

 

S

[atcoates]

They tried FE File explorer but couldn't browse the Ipad, just got DOWNLOADS and ON MY IPAD, all were empty. Obviously im relying on this telling me as im remote, but installed via the MDM, can this Documents browse the folders on the Ipad? Where do files normally get saved, not had too much dealings with them apart from setting up the MDM.

 

Thanks

 

S

File explorer would need to have been set up for the school to point to the correct shares etc. Without that work taking place it would behave as they described. There is a payload element where you can pre-populate the configuration of file explorer as well.

[kidpressingbuttons]

The best we have used is Foldr- yearly subscription but 100% worth it!

[Scorpio]

File explorer would need to have been set up for the school to point to the correct shares etc. Without that work taking place it would behave as they described. There is a payload element where you can pre-populate the configuration of file explorer as well.

 

But surely even without the file shares setup you should still be able to browse locally, i setup on Android and could browse before i setup any destinations? I've seen the FE can download a config file to lock it. Didnt get that fare as couldn't see any local files..

 

Cheers

 

S

[atcoates]

I think if you knew where to look you could do that, and then authenticate with user name and password. But if you were a teacher and just given the app as is, you'd just assume it was all set up. Sorry misread yes you should be able to see the local files I think on the first attempt it pops up saying do you allow file explorer to access your camera roll. Edited June 14, 2019 by atcoates

[Cat_Jam148]

As far as i'm aware, the only app able to browse the iPad file system 'fully' is the Apple files app, which doesn't have the capability to connect to network shares (who knows if that'll change with iPadOS). All other apps have very little access which is why we have to use the share function and then copy to Documents which will then allow you to browse the mapped drive for a place to save.

[Arthur]

the only app able to browse the iPad file system 'fully' is the Apple files app, which doesn't have the capability to connect to network shares (who knows if that'll change with iPadOS).

Connecting to SMB file shares from the Files app is definitely in iPadOS 13.

 

www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-preview/features/

 

[Cat_Jam148]

Great, about time. Another long awaited feature.

[atcoates]

Great, about time. Another long awaited feature.

Yes, great timing just as everyone moves to the cloud.

[Scorpio]

As far as i'm aware, the only app able to browse the iPad file system 'fully' is the Apple files app, which doesn't have the capability to connect to network shares (who knows if that'll change with iPadOS). All other apps have very little access which is why we have to use the share function and then copy to Documents which will then allow you to browse the mapped drive for a place to save.

 

Please explain more on this, so you use the Documents app, so how do you get files into this, i haven't got an Ipad in front of me so any pointers instructions to pass onto the school would be great until we go over, thanks.

 

S

[Guest Guest]

Please explain more on this, so you use the Documents app, so how do you get files into this, i haven't got an Ipad in front of me so any pointers instructions to pass onto the school would be great until we go over, thanks.

 

S

It's not yet available as it's part of the new iPadOS

[Scorpio]

It's not yet available as it's part of the new iPadOS

 

Hi

 

I was talking about how to share to the Documents app, not the new IOS 13?

 

The new IOS wont work on some of the ipads they have so have to find another solution and we cant wait anyways... this is why im not an apple fan, they want you to use them but restrict you so heavily.

 

Cheers

 

S