Using the CloudFTP or iUSBport


The CloudFTP wireless device for iPad – now called iUSBport

This can be used for iPhone and Android devices too

This device can be used to download files directly on to an iPad or on to a hard drive. It does this by generating its own wifi network. I bought it as I am going to South America for a month, with a Nikon D800e (file sizes 47mb) and do not have enough memory cards to last the whole trip. I did not want to take a laptop with me.
It cost me £80 from Misco. It retails from Amazon for around £100. In retrospect it might have been easier to buy a secondhand netbook through eBay, but I do use the iPad for reading, browsing etc.

When you first receive your CloudFTP,  (it measures 7.5x6x2cm) you can charge it up using the lead provided inserted in to a USB plug like the one with the iPad. The device can be used while it is charging.

On to your iPad download GoodReader. Good Reader is used to look at files on your portable hard drive or memory card and to download on to the iPad.

The quick start guide is very basic and you will need to refer to their FAQ site to do anything much with the device. They do have an online help service. Here is the FAQ address https://www.hypershop.com. The FAQ is under support on the tabs across the centre.
You must first update the firmware using the instructions provided here   http://www.hypershop.com/kb_results.asp?ID=317. I found that I did not have to refresh the web app at the start.

Turn on the device and the iPad. Go to your settings and find iUSBport in the list of networks and click on it to bring it up under WiFi on the left.
Using Safari or Chrome (it won’t work with other browsers) type in iUSBport in to the URL search bar. A web page will come up with not very much on it except PTP and a settings wheel at the bottom left. If you click on this you can password protect this network. Save this on to your home screen

To download files on to a portable hard drive:
You need, Cloud FTP, hard drive, 3 USB leads, a USB hub and a card reader. My USB hub seems to need power, but the CloudFTP can power a portable hard drive on its own.
Connect the device to the hub and plug in the drive and the card reader. Turn on the device. It will recognise the card and the hard drive and then prompt you to copy from the card on to the drive. Press the power button once to confirm. The download rate I am getting is 4.8mb/sec. When the copy has finished the device will turn off by itself or you can power off by holding the power button in for a couple of seconds.



To check if the files have copied correctly, connect your hard drive to the device and power it up. Turn on the iPad and change the WiFi in the settings to the iUSBport. Cick on the webapp iUSBport. There should be a C folder which will have all the files on that drive on it. Click through till you find the pictures you want. This can also be used for viewing anything on the iPad you haven’t enough storage space for, such as movies or extensive portfolios.

To download files on to your iPad use the GoodReader app. When you open this up select the server you wish to connect to (I have 192.168.0.1 as mine). A folder will come up CloudFTP-C. Open this up to see the files on your hard drive or card reader. You can the use this to view or to download on to your iPad or Android device.

Apparently you should turn off the CloudFTP beore unplugging the USB drive.



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