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Disclaimer: This tutorial is for educational purposes only. Always ensure you have proper authorization before accessing any network resources. This guide is intended to help individuals transfer files between their own devices on a secure local network.

Introduction

Imagine needing to transfer large media files between your iPhone and Windows PC, but you don't want to use iTunes or pay for iCloud storage. It can be frustrating, especially when you need to quickly share photos, videos, or music for school projects, work presentations, or personal use.

In this guide, I, Prince Armstrong of Armstrong Computers College, will walk you through a practical and effective method for transferring files between your iPhone and Windows PC using SMB file sharing over your local Wi-Fi network. This tutorial is based on a real-life video lesson we've shared on our YouTube channel.

We will use a step-by-step approach that is easy to follow and doesn't require any special software on your PC. All you'll need is a basic understanding of Windows file sharing and an iPhone app that supports SMB connections.

Why Is This Method Useful?

  • No Cloud Storage Limits: Transfer files directly without uploading to cloud services.
  • Fast Local Transfer: Utilize your local network for faster file transfers.
  • Educational Value: Learn about network protocols and file sharing principles.
  • Cost-Effective: No need for additional software or subscription services.

What You'll Need

  • A Windows PC (Windows 10/11 recommended) with administrator access
  • An iPhone connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the PC
  • An iOS app that supports SMB (recommended: FE File Explorer, Documents by Readdle)
  • Basic familiarity with Command Prompt and Windows sharing

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a Temporary Windows User

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command to create a temporary transfer user:

net user "TRANSFERUSER" "StrongP@ssw0rd!" /add
Why? A temporary account isolates sharing access and simplifies cleanup after the transfer.

Step 2: Create and Share a Folder

Create a folder on your PC where iPhone files will be placed (example path: C:\Share\iPhoneTransfer).

Right-click the folder → PropertiesSharingAdvanced Sharing… → check Share this folder, set the share name (e.g., iPhoneShare), then click Permissions to add the temporary user.

Step 3: Set NTFS Permissions

Open the Security tab in folder properties → EditAdd → enter the username (TRANSFERUSER) and grant Modify and Read & execute permissions.

Step 4: Allow File & Printer Sharing Through Firewall

Open Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall → enable File and Printer Sharing for Private networks.

Step 5: Find Your PC IPv4 Address

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig | find "IPv4"

Note the IPv4 address (for example 192.168.1.100)—that's the host you will connect to from your iPhone.

Note: Your IP address may change if your PC reconnects to the network. If you have issues later, check this address again.

Step 6: Install and Configure FE File Explorer on iPhone

Install FE File Explorer from the App Store. Open it, tap the + to add a server, select Windows (SMB), and fill in the details:

  • Server/Host: your Windows PC IPv4 address
  • Username: TRANSFERUSER
  • Password: the password you set
  • Share: iPhoneShare (if required)

Step 7: Transfer Files

iPhone → PC: In FE File Explorer, use Upload or Import from Photos to copy photos/videos to the SMB share.

PC → iPhone: Copy files into C:\Share\iPhoneTransfer on your PC. On your iPhone app, browse the share and download files.

Step 8: Cleanup — Delete the Temporary User

After transfers finish, delete the temporary user account to restore normal security:

net user "TRANSFERUSER" /delete

Video Tutorial: Watch the Full Guide

Watch this video for a complete walkthrough with visuals.

Troubleshooting

  • Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and subnet
  • If connection fails, re-run ipconfig | find "IPv4" to ensure IP hasn't changed
  • Verify firewall rules and that SMB ports are allowed for the Private network
  • Ensure the iPhone SMB client supports SMBv2/3 (SMBv1 is deprecated and insecure)
  • Check NTFS and share permissions

Security Best Practices

Always: Create a temporary user for transfers, use a strong password, delete the user and stop sharing after transfers, and avoid leaving SMB open on public networks.
  • Prefer WebDAV over HTTPS or SFTP if you need encrypted transfers
  • For sensitive data, consider using an encrypted VPN between devices

Lab Exercise (For Classroom)

  1. Create TRANSFERUSER via Command Prompt and confirm existence
  2. Create and share the folder C:\Share\iPhoneTransfer and set permissions
  3. Find and note the PC IPv4 address using ipconfig | find "IPv4"
  4. Connect from FE File Explorer on an iPhone, upload 5 photos to the share
  5. Delete TRANSFERUSER and confirm the iPhone can no longer access the share

Alternative Methods

  • FileZilla Server (FTP) on Windows + iPhone FTP client
  • WebDAV over HTTPS — secure and supported by many iOS file apps
  • Snapdrop or local web-based transfers for small files

Educational Benefits of This Method

  • Understanding Network Protocols: Learn how SMB file sharing works
  • Security Awareness: Practice creating and managing user permissions
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Troubleshoot network connectivity issues

Words of Caution

  • Never use this method to access network resources without proper authorization
  • Always use strong, unique passwords for temporary accounts
  • Disable sharing when not in use to maintain network security

Final Thoughts

Digital literacy involves more than just using applications. Understanding how different devices communicate on a network and how to securely transfer files between them is an essential skill in today's connected world.

This guide is not about bypassing security, but about empowering users to efficiently transfer their own files between their personal devices while maintaining proper security practices.