I have a TrueNAS server at home and thought I could easily connect it to my phone (Pixel 7) as a network drive but was surprised to learn that Android doesn’t have a built in feature for that.

iOS/iPadOS does have this to my surprise built in via the ‘Files’ app.

Or did I just not look hard enough in the Android settings? (I know there are 3rd party apps for this)

  • BrokkrEnglish
    27•1 year ago

    I think this is a function that should be delegated to an app, so that users can choose from a variety of options. Having it built in would restrict that choice. Kind of like keyboards.

    • Tywèle [she|her]OPEnglish
      9•1 year ago

      In iOS it’s a function of the Files app but since the Files app comes with the OS by default I called it built in.

    • pgetsos
      5•1 year ago

      While I agree, a keyboard is always included in a phone

    • @[email protected]English
      5•1 year ago

      Why not both?

      I shouldn’t have to wade through possibly ad-filled, data-collecting, unknown third party apps to do a basic function…

      • BrokkrEnglish
        1•1 year ago

        I think some phone manufacturers do offer a files app, I don’t know which ones have smb capabilities though. Regardless, it is an app, not a part of the OS. Also sounds like that’s how Apple implements it too, except they probably don’t let you use a different app.