Sharing files between Oculus Quest and other devices or computers can be really easy with the right tool. Since the stock Files app in Oculus Quest does not offer built-in file sharing tool, we need to use a third-party file manager or transfer app. The CX File Explorer app for Android seems to serve this purpose perfectly. It helps Oculus users to easily manage local files in the VR headset and quickly share files between Oculus and other Android devices over Wi-fi.
Contents
- Introducing CX file explorer app
- How FTP file sharing solutions work?
- How to setup FTP server on Oculus Quest?
- How to setup FTP server on Android phone(Xiaomi, Redmi,... )?
- How to connect to an FTP server from Oculus Quest?
About CX File Explorer
Cx File Explorer is a free yet powerful file manager app for Android and Oculus Quest with clean and intuitive interface. Users can use this file explorer to browse and manage the files on local storage, network devices and even cloud storage. We will use this free app to setup file server on the VR headset and/or connect the Oculus Quest to a file server for file sharing with other phones or devices.
The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) file sharing solutions
There are different ways to share files between your VR headset and Android mobile phones using CX File Explorer. It can turn your VR device into an FTP server so you can connect to it from other Android devices for wireless file transfer; it can also turn your Android mobile into FTP server which can be connected from the Oculus Quest for file sharing. In fact, many other file managers and transfer apps for Android also support FTP, such as the ES file explorer, MiXplorer, CX File Explorer, Owlfiles File Manager, the stock File Explorer on Xiaomi and Redmi phones, the ShareMe app, etc. For example, if you need to send some files from Xiaomi mobile to Oculus Quest, you can open its File Manager to setup the FTP server on mobile, then open the CX file explorer on Oculus Quest to connect to the FTP server on the Mi phone and exchange files between them.
If your Android mobile doesn’t offer the FTP utility, you may download CX file explorer above or any other free apps listed below.
- MiXplorer file explorer: more detailed instructions can be found from this Android FTP file transfer via MiXplorer guide for Android;
- Owlfiles File Manager: a powerful file manager app on Android and iOS. It can access not only local files, but also files on your computer, NAS and cloud storages. Transfer files from any location to any location.
- Solid Explorer for Android: support cloud storage, root access, FTP, SFTP, WebDav, SMB, CIFS, archive and compression, Chromecast, and even more.
How to setup FTP server on Oculus Quest?
Launch the free file explorer app on your VR device, its Local tab opens automatically. Here you can quickly access the internal storage on your Oculus Quest, the Downloads folder, Apps on the device, and the Recycle bin.
Switch from the Local to the Network tab at the lower half section.
Then tap on Access from Network. Click to disable Random password, so you can get a fixed port number and permanent password before you start the FTP server. You will then be able to save the login information in your FTP client on computer without the need to manually type in them in the future.
Hit Start Service button at the bottom to enable the FTP server. You will then get the FTP address (server IP and port number), username and password on Oculus Quest.
How to setup FTP server on Xiaomi or Redmi phone?
Here we will use a Xiaomi or Redmi phone in the demo to show you how to turn the Android phone into an FTP server because Xiaomi has incorporated the FTP feature in both its stock File Manager app and the ShareMe app. You don’t need to download any third-party apps in order to configure the FTP server on the phone. If your Android mobile doesn’t offer the FTP utility, you may download CX File Explorer or any other file manager or explorer apps that support FTP from the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) file sharing solution section above.
Open the stock File Manager app on Mi phone. Tap on the Menu button (three horizontal lines icon) at the upper left corner. Select FTP from this side menu.
Press the Start button to enable the FTP server.
You will be asked to choose Connection type between Portable (not secure) and Password-protected. Tap on Settings to access additional settings if like. Apparently, fixed port number, username and password are highly recommended. Since you can save these information in the CX File Explorer app on Oculus Quest without the need to manually type them in each time you access files shared on the Android phone.
Once started, the FTP server IP or host address and port displays on your phone screen.
How to connect to an FTP server from Oculus Quest?
Launch CX File Explorer on the VR headset. Switch from the LOCAL to NETWORK tab where you can find the following options: Access from network, New location. As we mentioned above, the Access from Network option is to turn your Oculus Quest into an FTP server so other devices and computers can connect to your headset. Here we choose New location to connect the Oculus Quest to other devices, phones and computers.
Switch from CLOUD to REMOTE, we can then see a screen like this. Here we can connect to other devices in the local network, connect to SMB server, FTP server, SFTP or WebDAV file servers from the Oculus Quest.
Choose FTP, then input the FTP server host IP, port, username and password. You will have these information when setting up the FTP server using CX file explorer, or other files managers on Android device.
Fill in all the required info, then click OK button. You can then access all files and folders saved on the Android phone or tablet in the CX file explorer on your Oculus Quest.
