How to Set Up Network Storage in Samsung My Files (Access PC Files Wirelessly)

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Ever wondered what the Network Storage option in Samsung My Files actually does and how you can use it to connect your Samsung phone to your Windows PC wirelessly?

It’s far more than just a placeholder; it is a powerful productivity tool that builds a high-speed bridge between your Samsung Galaxy device and your Windows PC, Mac, or NAS.

By enabling this feature, you can browse, stream, and move files from your computer’s hard drive directly on your phone—no USB cables required. To ensure your data remains private, the feature utilizes industry-standard protocols like SMB (Server Message Block) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

If you want to unlock the full potential of your Galaxy device and access your desktop files on the go, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into how to set up and master Network Storage on your Samsung phone.

What is Network Storage in Samsung My Files?

Network Storage in Samsung My Files allows your Samsung Galaxy phone to connect to a shared folder or drive on a computer using SMB or FTP protocols, enabling you to access, copy, and manage files on your PC directly from your phone over a local Wi-Fi network.

Table of Contents

1. Quick Overview
2. Requirements to Use Network Storage in Samsung My Files
3. How to Set Up Network Storage in Samsung My Files (Step-by-Step)
   1. Step 1: Connect Your Galaxy Phone and PC to the Same Wi-Fi Network
   2. Step 2: Check If SMB Is Enabled on Your Windows PC
   3. Step 3: Check Your Network Profile
   4. Step 4: Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing
   5. Step 5: Share a Drive or Folder Over the Network
   6. Step 6: Get Your Windows PC’s IPv4 Address and Username
   7. Step 7: Set Up Network Storage in Samsung My Files
   8. Step 8: Access Your PC Files on Your Samsung Galaxy Phone
4. Does Network Storage Work in Non-Samsung Android Phones?
5. How to Remove Network Storage Access
6. Troubleshooting Tips for Network Storage
   1. Network Drive or Folder Not Visible
   2. Network Drive Visible but Not Connecting
   3. New Files Not Visible
   4. Unable to Copy/Move Files to Network Storage
7. FAQ — Network Storage Access in Samsung My Files
   1. Can You Use Mobile Internet to Connect?
   2. Can You Access Network Storage Offline?
   3. Can You Delete Files From Network Storage?
   4. How to Access Network Storage on a Samsung TV?
8. Conclusion

Quick Overview

Network Storage in Samsung My Files allows you to:

• Access PC files on your phone
• Transfer files wirelessly
• Stream videos directly from your computer to your Samsung Galaxy phone
• Manage files across devices on the same network

Requirements to Use Network Storage in Samsung My Files

You'll need the following to set up network storage in your Samsung File manager:

1. A Samsung Galaxy phone with the latest version of Samsung My Files.
2. A secure and stable Wi-Fi connection (avoid public Wi-Fi networks at all costs).
3. A Windows 10, Windows 11, or a Mac computer/laptop.

I'm using this tutorial on a Windows 11 PC. If you're using an Apple Mac computer or Linux, then you can follow this tutorial, as the steps are mostly the same.

How to Set Up Network Storage in Samsung My Files (Step-by-Step)

Here's a step-by-step guide for enabling and setting up the network storage feature on your Samsung Galaxy phone.

Step 1: Connect Your Galaxy Phone and PC to The Same Wi-Fi Network

Connect your Samsung Galaxy phone and your Windows or Mac PC to the same Wi-Fi network in your home. If your PC is connected via wired LAN cable on the same network, it will also work. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, check our guide on fixing Wi-Fi dead zones.

If your phone is connected to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and your PC is connected to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band, but on the same network, this configuration will also work. So, in short, your devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router, regardless of the connection type.

Step 2: Check If SMB (Server Message Block) Is Enabled On Your Windows PC

Click the 'Search' bar in your Windows PC and type 'windows features', and then click the option 'Turn Windows features on or off.'

You can also head to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Programs and Features. Here, click Turn Windows features on or off.

Here, scroll down a bit and see that 'SMB Direct' is enabled (checked). Then click 'OK' to close the dialog box.

Ensure "SMB Direct" is checked in the Windows Features menu to allow file sharing.

Step 3: Check Your Network Profile

Now on your Windows PC, go to Settings > Network & internet. Here, under 'Properties', check whether your network profile is set to 'Public' or 'Private.' If the network profile is set to 'Public', then your PC is, by default, not visible to other devices on the same network.

Check network profile (public or private) in Windows 11 Network & internet settings.

However, if the network profile is set to 'Private', then your Windows PC can be seen by other devices on the same network for file and printer sharing.

The 'Private' network profile is meant for Wi-Fi networks that you own—for example, a Wi-Fi network installed at your home and personal office.

The 'Public' network profile is meant to be used for public networks that you find in hotels and airports. However, I strongly advise against using public Wi-Fi networks when accessing shared network storage.

Step 4: Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing

Scroll down a bit and click Advanced network settings, and then click Advanced sharing settings.

Now recall your network profile from 'Step 3' above. Click the 'Private networks' or 'Public networks' option based on your 'Network profile.'

After expanding the network profile option, enable 'Network discovery' by toggling ON the switch. Also, enable 'File and printer sharing.'

Enabling Network Discovery and File Sharing allows your PC to communicate with your Samsung Galaxy phone.

Now expand the 'All networks' option and, in 'File sharing connections', make sure '128-bit encryption' is selected. Also, make sure 'Password protected sharing' is enabled.

Configuring secure sharing settings ensures your data stays encrypted and password-protected during transfers.

Step 5: Make a Drive Partition or Folder Shareable Over Wi-Fi LAN Network

Open 'My PC' or 'This PC' on your Windows computer and look for the drive partition or folder that you wish to share on your Samsung Galaxy phone.

1. Right-click on the folder or the drive partition and select 'Properties.'
2. Click the 'Sharing' tab and click the 'Advanced Sharing' button.

   

   Advanced sharing options interface in Windows 11.

3. Then, enable the option 'Share this folder.'

   

   Enable 'Sharing' and configuring Read/Write permissions for network users in Windows 11.

4. Then move on to the option 'Limit the number of simultaneous users to:' and select a number between 1 and 20 (including both). Setting this number means the number of devices on the same network that can access the shared drive or folder simultaneously.
5. Click the 'Permissions' button and make sure 'Read' is enable. If only 'Read' is enabled then network storage users can view and copy files from network drive/folder to their Samsung phone. But they won't be able to delete and move or copy files from their phone to the network drive.

   

6. To enable the 'Write' permission for network users on your network storage, enable the 'Change' option and click 'OK.'

Step 6: Get Your Windows PC's IPv4 Address and Username

Your Wi-Fi router assigns a network address to every device connected to it from its DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) pool. Every device connected to your Wi-Fi router has a unique IPv4 address. With this address, we can directly identify the device and connect to it on the same network using LAN (Local Area Network) technology.

To find the IPv4 address of your Windows PC, open CMD terminal Windows 11 (Command Prompt). To do this, simply press the Windows and R keys simultaneously. This will open the 'Run' prompt. Enter 'cmd' without single quotes and hit the Enter key to open the command prompt.

In command prompt, type or copy this command — ipconfig | findstr IPv4 — and hit the Enter key. This command will show your Windows PC's IPv4 address in the format 192.168.x.x. Note this IPv4 address.

Using the ipconfig command to find the local IP address of your PC for network sharing.

To find your username, type a new command in the command prompt as whoami and hit the Enter key. The command prompt will show your PC's username as desktop-1ert9uk\Your_PC_Username. Note down the value for 'Your_PC_Username.' The username will be in lowercase letters.

Step 7: Set Up Network Storage In Samsung My Files

Open Samsung My Files on your Samsung Galaxy phone. If you do not see 'Network Storage' here, then tap the 'three vertical dots' in the top-right corner and tap 'Settings.'

The 'Network Storage' option is missing from the Samsung My Files menu.

Here, tap 'Edit menu layout' and tap and select 'Network storage' if it is not selected. Then, go back to the main screen, and now you'll be able to see the 'Network storage' option on the main screen.

Enabling the Network Storage option within the Edit Menu settings of Samsung My Files.

Now tap 'Network storage' to open it. If the Network Storage Component is not installed on your phone, then you'll be taken to the Galaxy Store to install this package. Tap 'Update' to download and install the Network Storage Component in your Samsung My Files app.

Installing the required Network Storage plugin via APK in Samsung My Files.

Once installed, open the Samsung My Files and tap 'Network storage.' You'll be asked to grant storage access permission to this component. Tap 'Allow permission' and go one step back.

Granting the necessary storage permissions for the Network Storage Manager to access files.

Now you will be asked to allow notifications for 'Network Storage Manager.' Tap 'Allow' to proceed. The Samsung network storage manager is now fully configured and ready to use.

Enabling notifications to stay informed about network storage status and connection errors.

Also, check — How to Convert an Old Laptop Hard Drive into an External USB Drive.

Step 8: Access Your PC's Files/Drives/Folders On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

In Samsung My Files, tap 'Network storage', then tap 'Add network storage', and then select 'Network drive (SMBv2/SMBv3).'

Selecting SMB (Server Message Block) to link the Samsung device to a Windows shared folder.

The file manager will automatically start scanning for any network storage location (files, folders, or network drives) or a NAS (Network Attached Storage) drive. You'll be able to see your desktop PC's name and IPv4 address followed by port 445, because SMB works on this port.

The app automatically scans the local network for available SMB drives and Windows PCs.

Tap your PC's name under the 'Select a network drive' option. This will open a configuration page where you'll see your PC's IPv4 address, port, and your PC's name.

Enter the 'Username' of your PC that you got in 'Step 6' above. Enter the username and the password of your Windows PC, and then tap 'Add.' Once you do this, the network drive or the folder will be visible in Network Storage Manager.

Entering the Windows PC credentials and IP address to finalize the SMB network connection.

You will see all the files from your Windows PC on your Samsung Galaxy phone that you have shared over a LAN (Local Area Network). You can copy files to and from this network storage location using your Samsung Galaxy phone.

You can tap the 'three vertical dots' in the top-right corner and tap 'Sync' to ensure all the newly added files in the network storage drive from your PC remain accessible on your Samsung Galaxy phone.

Warning

If you have also enabled the 'Write' files permission on your Windows PC for the network drive or folder, then anyone connected to your network can also delete files from that network drive.

This means if you delete them from the network storage on your Samsung Galaxy phone, then they'll also be deleted from your PC.

The deleted file will not go to the 'Recycle Bin' on your Windows PC and will be deleted right away, so be careful about this as there's a risk of accidental file deletion and loss.

Security Tips for Network Storage

• Always use password-protected sharing
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks
• Share only the folders you need
• Disable sharing when you no longer need it

Does Network Storage Work In Non-Samsung Android Phones

Yes! Definitely the network storage works on non-Samsung Android phones too. It doesn't matter which Android phone you're using. Just open the file manager on your phone and look for the 'FTP,' 'Remote File Sharing,' 'FTP Server,' 'Network Storage,' or 'Network Drive.' Then you can use this tutorial to set up the network storage on your Android phone.

How to Remove Network Storage (Drive/Folder) Access

Your PC's network storage can be accessed by anyone connected to your Wi-Fi network if they have your PC's username and password. Also, if you have enabled the read and write permissions, anyone having access can add or delete files to and from your desktop PC.

If you wish to revoke file sharing access over network, just head to the drive or folder 'Properties' and click the 'Sharing' tab. Then click 'Advanced sharing' and uncheck 'Share this folder.' Finally, click 'OK' to revoke access for your network attached storage, after this the connected storage drive/folder will not be shared on your home Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting Tips For Network Storage Not Working on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Here are some troubleshooting tips for several situations when the network storage doesn’t work on Samsung Galaxy phones.

1. Network Drive or Folder Not Visible in Samsung My Files (Network Storage)

If you are unable to see the network drive or network attached storage on your Samsung Galaxy phone, then check these below.

1. Make sure the 'Network Discovery' is set to enabled in Windows settings.
2. Also check, you have shared the drive or the particular folder on the network in Windows 10/11. Right click on the folder/drive and check the 'Sharing > Advanced Sharing' section. Here, make sure that network drive sharing is enabled.
3. Make sure your PC and the phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi router.

2. Network Drive Visible But Not Connecting

If network drive is visible on your Samsung My Files app but you're not able to connect to it, then follow these steps below.

1. Make sure your PC is connected to your Wi-Fi network/router.

2. Check the number of users accessing the network drive simultaneously. For example—if you have set the user access limit to 3 users and all of them are accessing the drive simultaneously, then as the fourth user you won't be granted access to the drive due to the limit.

   To fix this and increase the user access limit, check the step #5 that I have written somewhere above.

3. New Files Not Visible in Network Storage on Samsung Phone

Sometimes you may not be able to see new files added to your network attached storage on PC when viewed on your phone. If this happens, follow the steps below.

1. Open Samsung My Files and tap 'Network Storage.' Then tap the network drive appearing on your phone.
2. You can tap the 'three vertical dots' in the top-right corner and tap 'Sync' to ensure all the newly added files in the network storage drive from your PC remain accessible on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
3. You have to 'Sync' network storage everytime on your phone when the new files get added on this drive/folder from your PC.

4. Unable to Copy/Move Files From Samsung Phone to Network Storage Drive

This is simply a case of file permissions set by your Windows 10/11 administrator on that shared drive or folder. If the administrator has granted only 'Read' permission for that shared drive, you won't be able to copy/move files from your phone to that network drive. However, you can copy or read data from the network drive to your phone.

Simply contact your Windows 10/11 administrator and ask them to enable 'Write' permission for that shared drive. After this, you'll be able to copy/move files from your phone to that network drive/folder on your Windows 10/11 PC.

If you're the administrator for your Windows 10/11 PC, check this step #5 to enable 'Write' permission for a shared network drive/folder.

FAQ — Network Storage Access in Samsung My Files

Q1. Can You Use Mobile Internet to Connect to Network Storage?

No! You can't use your mobile internet to connect to the shared network drive. To manage network attached storage all your devices must be connected to the network/router.

Q2. Can You Access Network Storage Without Wi-Fi or Offline?

No. Network storage in Samsung My Files works over a local network (LAN). This means your Samsung Galaxy phone and the PC or NAS device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router or local network. Without a shared network connection, the device will not be able to detect or connect to the network storage.

Q3. Can You Delete Files From Network Storage Using Samsung My Files?

Yes. You can delete files from a shared network drive using Samsung My Files if you have the required 'Write' permissions. However, deleted files are removed permanently and do not go to the Windows Recycle Bin.

Q4. How to Access Network Storage on a Samsung TV?

If your Samsung TV has a built-in file manager or media browser that supports network storage (such as SMB or DLNA), you can connect to your shared network drive directly from the TV.

Simply follow the same steps explained in this tutorial—make sure your TV and the Windows PC or NAS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that the drive or folder is shared on the network.

Once connected, you should be able to browse and play files from the network storage on your Samsung TV.

Conclusion

Setting up Network Storage in Samsung My Files transforms your Galaxy device into a powerful extension of your PC. It is one of the most efficient ways to get more storage on Android without paying for monthly cloud subscriptions. By bridging your devices via SMB, you eliminate the need for cables and slow uploads, allowing for instant, high-speed file management right from your palm.

Just remember to handle your shared files with care—since network deletions are permanent and bypass the Recycle Bin, a little caution goes a long way in keeping your data safe.

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PN

About the Tech Team at PCNexus

I specialize in simplifying technology for those who find the digital world overwhelming. By solving real-world challenges on PCNexus, I deliver reliable, self-tested fixes that streamline your digital experience to ensure your phone and PC work for you—not against you.

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