topic Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem in Z Series

Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

mstreibe — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:46:03 GMT

When I try transfering files to my NAS (or PC, doesn't matter) via WiFi, the sending hangs frequently for several seconds. Sometimes it transfers only 500k, then hangs for maybe 10 sec, at other times it sends 20 MB in one go before hanging again. For larger files (e.g. videos > 100 MB) these hangs get so bad that every app that I tried so far (various file managers and sync apps, even the included FK file manager) aborts the transfer. As a consequence I'm not able to backup my photos/videos properly via WiFi.

There is no issue copying files from the NAS to my phone. There is also no issue sharing big videos per WhatsApp via WiFi. I have no such issue on other android devices, using the same apps, same WiFi connection, saving to the same NAS share. And I can't remember having the issue prior to the Lollipop update.

I contacted Sony support but all they said was they are not aware of any issue, and they would pass the info on (to whom ever).

Does anyone observe the same issue? Any remedy? Of course I could use PC Companion or maybe even USB transfer, but that would be much less comfortable compared to an automatic sync via WiFi...

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

Thommo — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:21:26 GMT

I can sympathise with you on this issue as I also face this problem - I'm fine with a lot of small files but large files is a failure and we aren't the only one's experiencing the same issue so I'm sorry to say but I have to remedy for you other than to use a USB connection

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

mstreibe — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:38:42 GMT

So if this is a widely known issue, does anyone in Sony development (or google?) work on a fix? I mean, to me and most likely others as well this is a major issue. I suspect all these file manager and sync apps are using the same Android SMB API, so this must be where the problem exists, not in the apps themselves...

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

Rickard — Wed, 27 May 2015 06:46:46 GMT

Sorry to hear that you have issues with large file transfers.

I believe most apps comes with their own SMB support. What if you use the phones native support and mount the share under Settings -> Storage -> Remote shares? Then use a file manager to move the files (but make sure to not use any SMB support in that app).

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

mstreibe — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:48:01 GMT

What if you use the phones native support and mount the share under Settings -> Storage -> Remote shares? Then use a file manager to move the files (but make sure to not use any SMB support in that app).

Indeed this way it works fine, at least the copying.

There is however one point that makes this solution suboptimal, which is the behavior when leaving and returning to my WiFi, or when switching WiFi off and on. The remote shares get disconnected when my home WiFi becomes unavailable, but don't reconnect automatically. This means I need to do that by hand before any automatic sync can start. Is there a way to auto-connect the shares? SmartConnect can't do that as far as I could see.

Another thing is, when I tap the "remote shares"(*) notification or its "browse"(*) option, FK file manager starts and reports "SD card disconnected"(*). When I tap ok, FK file manager shows "unknown storage location"(*). But my SD card is fine and I can navigate to the remote shares.

(*) my personal translation to english

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

Rickard — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:45:46 GMT

I'm afraid i don't know of any way to automatically reconnect remote shares but i'll forward it as feedback.

Best suggestion i have at the moment is to reconnect manually or perhaps that you look for another 3:rd party app that has the features you want. As it works with the native support i think it's safe to say the issue is in the SMB support in the app(s) you've tried.

Depending on what operating system you have in the server you could perhaps also see if it has the latest version of Samba or try another OS in a virtual machine and make a share there and see if the same thing happens.

I also get that message about the SD Card in File Commander but it must be an issue with File Commander, the SD Card is never unmounted when it gives this message and File Commander also still have access to it.

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

mstreibe — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:33:52 GMT

@Rickard wrote:
perhaps that you look for another 3:rd party app that has the features you want.

Would an app from the play store be able to apply such settings changes on an unrooted phone?

As it works with the native support i think it's safe to say the issue is in the SMB support in the app(s) you've tried.

There's still a difference here. Native support uses SMB mounts, the apps use SMB client functionality.

OK maybe it's an app problem, but I find it strange that all apps that I tried (more than 5 so far) show the same behavior. I'll keep on searching for a working one as time allows. Maybe someone reading this can point me to one that is working on Xperia with Lollipop.

AndSMB just managed to copy a 180 MB video but took very long due to the hangs, but at least it didn't abort. Maybe it was just lucky to not experience too long hangs.

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

Rickard — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:16:06 GMT

I'm not sure but i don't think so. Apps i've seen with SMB support has their own support for it or a plugin that needs to be installed for the app.

But if any of these apps you've tested also support other protocols like FTP you could perhaps try that and see what happens as well?

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

mstreibe — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:39:34 GMT

I didn't use FTP before with my NAS (actually I had to enable it first), but it works perfectly, even faster than SMB. So that is the best solution for me, thanks for the hint.

Re: Xperia Z1 - WiFi file transfer problem

Rickard — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:55:34 GMT

Glad to hear that