How to access \\mynetwork (USB storage) on Bell Home Hub 4000 from iPad/iPhone

[Ge]

Hi,
Anybody knows how I can use USB drive connected to Home Hub 4000 to extend iPad storage?
Thanks

Update: USB drive needs to be formatted FAT32 (worked for me) and then as per link below you may use Files app and enter ip of the router (192.168.2.1)

The problem with this solution that Photos doesn’t appear as a location on my iPad in the Files app, so you can't move your photos/videos to USB easily (you may copy from Photos to file share and then delete from Photos). 

So there is a need in the iOS app that could access both - Photos and SMB share and this would be now an iOS question, not for the Bell forum. But in case you know one please still post your reply, thanks.

[BellPatricia]

Hi there @CocoLoco,
Welcome to the Bell Community, and thank you for your post.
After checking further we can confirm this feature is working. 
Can you share the exact issue that you're experiencing when connecting your device to the modem via USB?
- Patricia

[CocoLoco]

@BellPatricia Oh that's kind of upsetting to hear actually because when I phoned asking for assistance I was told that this "feature" was meant to be removed. I'm guessing that was just done so he didn't have to help me. I guess I'm thankful it's not true because I was hoping to take advantage of it, but initially confused me, why keep a guide up that tells us how to plug a USB in for network wide access if it's not usable anymore? Anyways is there any way you can keep an eye on this forum post/thread while I go see if I can recreate my issue, I'll need to find and reformat my USB again 😅. 

[Prophet901]

This actually worked!

[supertech]

I have an NTFS formatted 2TB drive, and I was able to finally access it. go to the SEARCH area in the lower left, and type RUN. then type the address of the router - NOTE do NOT forget the \\ (for example, \\192.168.2.1 )
the drive volume name will appear, then the contents. This information is for a WINDOWS machine, I am unsure how to do this on a mobile device. Alternately, you can use your browser, but you need to include the volume name...for instance if the drive is called DATA then you need to  punch in \\192.168.2.1\DATA and then you should get an FTP type listing of the files. This will let you dowload the file... Better off to open the folder of file you need putting that address into VLC or some such media player. You may also see GIGA HUB as a DLNA server (although mine came up in French) if you have a ROKU or ROKU TV (also comes up in French...I have yet to figure this out)

[supertech]

you need to add the volume label of the drive. For instance if the drive is called EXT you need to enter \\192.168.2.1\EXT

[supertech]

What the documentation leaves out is you must put in the drive's volume name.... for instance I call my drive DATA so you have to address it as \\mynetwork\DATA or if you have a ROKU or ROKU TV etc you can simply enable the DLNA feature (I think it is by default) and install the ROKU MEDIA PLAYER and open it as a DLNA source. also the opening slashes MUST be included and CANNOT be forward (/) slashes.

[Vanadiel]

The French language thing is a known bug, no fix yet.

You can also map the location under Windows, to make it easier next time to access the shared drive: Map network drive 

I tend to map my most used NAS folders for easy access.

[supertech]

The big thing they always seem to leave out is that you need to address it as the router IP PLUS the media name (unless using DLNA etc...) for instance I have a drive called DATA and it has to be addressed as \\192.168.2.1\DATA 
If you leave out the media name, it simply says it cannot find it.

[vispat]

I have bell giga hub and replaced modem. It has been swapped over rebooting issues

Now, I feel like modem is faulty or if there is setting to allow usb stick connect. When connecting usb stick and trying to access from iPhone (files) or mac folder (file explore), it doesn't connect. 

returns errors

[Vanadiel]

What errors?

[vispat]

trying to loading smb://192.168.2.1 as guest. Returns following error

[Vanadiel]

Try a ping 192.168.2.1 to make sure it's reachable.

If it is, you might have to add the path if you added the USB with a pathname. Like \\192.168.1.2\pathname

Also, you have to use \ not / to access network paths.

[TRW]

Try adding the volume name to the end and add a trailing slash if there’s a space in the name. Forward slash is used on a Mac not \

smb://192.168.2.1/volume name/

When prompted for user ID & password switch it to Guest and it should work.

I’m able to connect to a usb drive (formatted exFAT). The only other thing I changed were the permissions to allow Everyone access to the subfolders too. 

[Stack of Fabric]

I have an external hard drive connected via the USB port on my Giga Hub. I can 'see' the hard drive on the hub admin site, but not in my network. I'm on a mac and it's not showing up in Finder. In other words, as far as I can tell, the USB ports are enabled, but somethings not working...

I want to be able to run TimeMachine to the hard drive. 

thanks for any help

[BellNick]

Hi there @Stack of Fabric 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
Are you able to test your external hard drive by connecting it to another device (computer, laptop, etc..) to ensure it is working correctly?
Looking forward to hearing back.