Connecting to a USB drive from mobile devices via WebDAV

Keenetic routers support WebDAV protocol for remote access to files and folders on a USB drive connected to your Keenetic router. WebDAV access works through our cloud-based domain name service KeenDNS.

NOTE: Important! A key feature of Keenetic's WebDAV support is the ability to remotely read and write files on the drive, even if a private IP address is used for the Internet access.

To remotely access files and folders on your USB drive, you need to run a WebDAV-enabled file manager on your mobile device and set up a connection to the router. By connecting to the USB drive from the file manager via the Internet, you can add, delete, copy, move files and folders as you would on a local device.

First, register a KeenDNS name on your Keenetic router. You can do this through the router's web interface.

Then in the mobile app under Management > KeeneticOS > Components, ensure the 'WebDAV server' component is installed in the router's operating system. It must be there; otherwise, you won't see the WebDAV application in the router's settings.

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Configuring the WebDAV server

The 'Locations' start screen will show all the networks added for management. Tap on the desired network.

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On the selected network dashboard, tap on 'Applications'.

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In the list of installed applications, tap on 'WebDAV'.

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On the WebDAV options screen, set the 'Active' switch on (by default, the WebDAV server is disabled). Enable the 'Allow access from the Internet' option.

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In the 'Users and access' subsection, you can add a new user account or allow access for the router administrator (admin).

Click on 'Manage users', then click on the entry for a previously created account or create a new user.

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You can use the WebDAV option for the user you wish to allow remote access via the protocol specified.

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You can select the desired directory on the USB drive for a specific user.

Tap on the user and directory entry.

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Select the desired directory on the USB drive and tap 'Select'.

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This completes the configuration of the WebDAV server.

Now set up access to the server from a mobile device using a file manager with WebDAV accessibility.

NOTE: Important! If the client cannot connect to the WebDAV server, try enabling the 'Ignore access rights' option in the server settings.

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This option does not override the requirement to enter a password when connecting to the drive and does not grant anonymous access. Enabling this option allows you to ignore the permissions already set for the folders on the USB drive.

TIP: Tip: You can also configure the WebDAV server via the router's web interface. To do this, refer to the detailed instructions: Connecting to a USB drive via WebDAV.

Setting up a connection on Android

In our example, we will use Cx File Explorer. But it can also be other applications that know how to use the WebDAV protocol (Total Commander, Solid Explorer File Manager, RS File etc.).

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Enter the router address in the 'Host' field. In our example, it is test01.keenetic.pro/webdav/.
Enter the KeenDNS name and add /webdav/ at the end of the address.
In the 'Username' and 'Password' fields, type the name of the account allowed to access the WebDAV server (admin in our example) and the password for that account.

NOTE: Important! To connect to the router via third-party applications, we recommend creating a separate user account with WebDAV Server access permission only. For security reasons, do not use the router's administrator account; specify a user account with restricted rights.

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You will see the folders and files on the USB drive if the connection is successful.

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Setting up a connection on iOS

In our example, we will use ES File Explorer. But it can also be other applications that support WebDAV protocol, e.g. Documents - File Manager App.

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Enter the address of the router in the 'URL' field. In our example, it is https://test01.keenetic.pro/webdav/.
Enter the KeenDNS name previously registered on the router and add /webdav/ at the end of the address.
In the 'Account' and 'Password' fields, type the name of the account allowed to access the WebDAV server (admin in our example) and the password.
Enable HTTPS (port 443).

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You will see the folders and files on the USB drive if the connection is successful.

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