You can transfer data from your Android device to another device in several ways. You can use Bluetooth, third-party apps that support WiFi transfer, NFC, or the traditional USB method to transfer data to a PC. However, there is another way to share data faster and safer than other file-sharing methods called FTP.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol that allows sharing of data over two various devices that are connected to the same network. In FTP, you transfer data from one location to another using the internet. This transfer of data happens between a Client and a Server. The client is the person who requests the files, and the Server transfers the files. You can use the FTP method to share files on any two devices with internet access such as a PC, a Mobile, or even to and from a Cloud Drive.

FTP is traditionally used for transferring data from a computer to a website’s hosting server. However, you can also use it to transfer data between any two devices connected to the same network. Before we proceed any further, let’s understand FTP better.

What is FTP?

FTP is a communication method that allows you to transfer files between two devices using a Transmission Control Protocol or Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). By providing access to the device, you can share and receive data from the server device to the client device.

As FTP is a secure and faster way to transfer data, it is used for modifying a website’s hosting server. Websites generally have a large amount of data in their hosting server and FTP is the only efficient way to make changes or update the server quickly. FTP server works in four different modes.

• Control Connection
• Data Connection
• Active Mode
• Passive Mode

What are the benefits of using FTP?

There are various benefits of using FTP to transfer files from one device to another.

• You can transfer multiple folders and files at the same time.
• If the connection is cut between two devices for some reason, the server can automatically resume the transfer whenever the link restores.
• There is no cap on data transferring, and you can transfer big files in less time.
• Some FTP clients also allow you to schedule the transfers as well.
• FTP data transfer speed is faster as compared to using HTTP.
• You can queue several items onto the queue list that you want to transfer to the client.

FTP On Mobile

Suppose you are looking for a fast way to transfer data from your Android device to your computer without using any wires then FTP is the way to go. In this method, your Android device will act as a Server, and your computer will become the client. By making a request from your computer, you can share the data present on your phone.

You do not require a USB cable or Bluetooth technology to share the data. You only need a network to which both your devices are connected. There is no need for an active internet connection for sharing the data but only a network where the transfer can happen. This means, for you to use FTP, you do not need an active internet connection but just a wireless network that the devices are connected to.

An FTP connection can help you to:

• To share files between an Android device and a personal computer.
• You can view all the files on your Android device without having to use a USB wire.
• To perform several actions such as copy, edit, manage, delete, rename, move, etc. on the Android files from a computer.

How to Configure FTP on an Android Device?

To configure FTP on an Android Device, you need to install FTP client to activate the FTP server on your device. ES explorer is one of the best FTP clients that allows you to share your files from your android device. After installing ES Explorer on your Android device, follow these steps:

• Click on the hamburger icon on the top left corner of the app’s interface. A side menu will open where you have to select the FTP option.

• A new dialogue box with the name New SFTP Server will open on your screen. You need to add details such as Server name, Port Address, Username, Password, and Encoding configuration. After adding all the details, click on save.
• Now you will see a remote FTP server on your Android device that you can use to connect to a computer and transfer data. You can access this FTP server from any device that is allowed access and is on the same network.
• Now you will be able to see all of your Android device’s files and perform actions such as edit, create, delete, and move. However, you cannot change the permissions of files yet.
• Open a text-based file that you want to edit and then click on the edit option on the top right corner of the screen.

• Another dialogue box will open where you can choose between DOS terminators CR/LF, UNIX Terminators LF, and MAC Terminator CR.
• After selecting the right Terminator, you can confirm the changes by going back and saving the file.

• You can perform several functions to modify these files by selecting the folder or a specific file such as create/delete/modify/moving. You can't change folder permissions.

Conclusion

FTP is a fast way to transfer data between two devices on the internet. This method can help you when you do not have a USB cable, and urgently need to share a large amount of data from one device to another.