Develop Bugs

[Q] Ouya File Server

Can anyone point me to any kind of file server for the Ouya? CIFS would be ideal but I can handle NFS or FTP too.
I've done my research here and in other forums and am not seeing any clear answer. What I want to do is to be able to remotely copy and delete files to and from the USB key attached to my Ouya.

Why not use ssh for that ?
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dexter84 said:
Why not use ssh for that ?
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Okay. I see guides for rooting and installing Busybox. I'm not hugely familiar with Busybox. Does Busybox provide an SSH *server* so I can ssh into the Ouya? I *am* familiar with ssh file transfers on my other servers.
I've seen other requests for an SSH server on the Ouya but no clear answers.

Once you root ouya install something like this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=web.oss.sshsftpDaemon
Set it up and leave it running. You will be able to use any ssh client (like putty) to log into ouya and exec any command you need including copying or moving files.
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dexter84 said:
Once you root ouya install something like this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=web.oss.sshsftpDaemon
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Click to collapse
Okay, I thought about that. Early on with my first Android phone I installed a similar app so I could log into my phone from my workstation and play with it. But I'd need to somehow get the APK from Google Play and then sideload it. How do you extract an APK from the store?
Edit:
Actually, searching not too hard turns up things like:
https://code.google.com/p/droidsshd/
And other sshd APK files. But they all do need access to a shell.

Found a solution.
After reading an Ouya review today, the reviewer was all gaga about using AirDroid to manage your Ouya. I had played with this class of "web desktop" apps years ago with my first Android phone. You run the app and then connect to your Android device with your browser. The app gives you a desktop that lets you manipulate your device.
Unfortunately AirDroid is a paid app and costs $1.99 a month. The free version is limited to 100MB of transfers per month which just isn't enough if you're transferring game images for your Ouya emulators.
So instead I found 3CX DroidDesktop which does what I need to do. Here it is on Google Play:
DroidDesktop on Google Play
But of course we can't use Google Play on our Ouya so here is where you can download an APK:
DroidDesktop at android-appstore
Now I thought there used to be a sideloading menu on the Ouya. I guess the last update did away with it. But fortunately the guy who did Mupen64PlusAE (one of the emulators) released FilePwn:
FilePwn on OuyaForum
Which lets you surf the Ouya file system and install packages. Install it through the normal Ouya method. Looks like it's free (as in beer free.)
DroidDesktop isn't a perfect solution. You have to specifically run it when you want to perform file management and the way the Ouya is setup an app takes over the machine and I have no idea how to switch away and do the multitasking I know Android is capable of. But it works and does *not* require rooting. I was able to surf to my USB key and copy and delete files from a Windows workstation.
Edit:
Whoops. FilePwn was *not* released by PaulsCode.com but by littleguy77. Paul just gave him a thumbs-up. My bad.

I like ftpdroid and it runs in the background.

tennisbgc said:
I like ftpdroid and it runs in the background.
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I'll give it shot.

tennisbgc said:
I like ftpdroid and it runs in the background.
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Click to collapse
It took me a bit to figure out how to get the APK to sideload FTPDroid. I ended up using APK Extractor:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sylark.apkextractor&hl=en
on my Nexus 7 to get the file. But now after sideloading when I run FTPDroid, it drops right back to the Ouya menu. I'm having the same issue with ES File Explorer. Both are apps that are supposed to run on the Ouya just fine.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is this some issue running Google Play apps on the Ouya?

tennisbgc said:
I like ftpdroid and it runs in the background.
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Click to collapse
when i launch ftpdroid on my ouya it crashes immediately

krzee said:
when i launch ftpdroid on my ouya it crashes immediately
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Click to collapse
Cant say ive run into this problem. Are you rooted?

Have you tried samba filesharing from google app store? I use it on all of my devices but have not tried it out on ouya.
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I use it https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funkyfresh.samba
And work fine !
Envoyé depuis mon Galaxy Nexus avec Tapatalk 4

I use dropbox & copy to get files to the Ouya.
It's a little more roundabout, but i can download files at work, put them in the @ouya folder in copy, then download when i get home.

I use StockPlus Room that have CIFs support + Mount Manager (free and paid options) and conect to my Time Capsule 3T, and forget the memory limitations on OUYA.
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Nice skeleton solution!!!
I've used [and am using] the servers ultimate pro
but I'll keep this one as a backup

ES File Explorer
I've tried nearly all the set-ups above but the one I find most reliable uses ES File Explorer. No need for root or anything else.
Sideload ES File Explorer
Open ES File Explorer
Go to Remote Manager, under tools
Go to Settings (for remote manager)
Turn off 'Close on exit'
Set root directory as your external USB drive connected to the OUYA
Exit settings, and turn on WLAN
I then use an Filezilla to transfer all my downloaded files from my Desktop directly to the correct folder locations on the USB drive connected to the OUYA. I get really solid speeds on the transfer between the two devices.
I can then leave the OUYA in XBMC mode, while being able to transfer any downloads very quickly to the USB drive whenever I want.
Note: I found this worked best when OUYA was connected via wi-fi. Ethernet was problematic

chadley78 said:
I've tried nearly all the set-ups above but the one I find most reliable uses ES File Explorer. No need for root or anything else.
Sideload ES File Explorer
Open ES File Explorer
Go to Remote Manager, under tools
Go to Settings (for remote manager)
Turn off 'Close on exit'
Set root directory as your external USB drive connected to the OUYA
Exit settings, and turn on WLAN
I then use an Filezilla to transfer all my downloaded files from my Desktop directly to the correct folder locations on the USB drive connected to the OUYA. I get really solid speeds on the transfer between the two devices.
I can then leave the OUYA in XBMC mode, while being able to transfer any downloads very quickly to the USB drive whenever I want.
Note: I found this worked best when OUYA was connected via wi-fi. Ethernet was problematic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still prefer ftpdroid cause it launches in the background at startup.

chadley78 said:
I've tried nearly all the set-ups above but the one I find most reliable uses ES File Explorer. No need for root or anything else.
Sideload ES File Explorer
Open ES File Explorer
Go to Remote Manager, under tools
Go to Settings (for remote manager)
Turn off 'Close on exit'
Set root directory as your external USB drive connected to the OUYA
Exit settings, and turn on WLAN
I then use an Filezilla to transfer all my downloaded files from my Desktop directly to the correct folder locations on the USB drive connected to the OUYA. I get really solid speeds on the transfer between the two devices.
I can then leave the OUYA in XBMC mode, while being able to transfer any downloads very quickly to the USB drive whenever I want.
Note: I found this worked best when OUYA was connected via wi-fi. Ethernet was problematic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this, but the remote manager keeps closing the connection. i've unchecked the 'close on exit' box, but it still closes after a while.
any ideas on what might be causing this?

Apk loader that can load multiple apks at once.

Hey guys I've been using adbfire pretty much exclusively since it came out but was just wondering if there is any apk loader program that lets you load multiple apks at once. My apk library is getting pretty big (about 30 or so) and I'm starting to get tired of loading them one by one when i'm setting up a unit does anything like this exist?

Really i'm the only person this lazy?

ES File Explorer. I keep everything I want for Android boxes and FireTVs in folders in Dropbox and ES is connected to my Dropbox account: I can select multiple items, download them all at once, then select just the apks and open them, ES will install them one by one (but you will need to give it permissions for every app).

Terry T said:
ES File Explorer. I keep everything I want for Android boxes and FireTVs in folders in Dropbox and ES is connected to my Dropbox account: I can select multiple items, download them all at once, then select just the apks and open them, ES will install them one by one (but you will need to give it permissions for every app).
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You sir are a friend. I'm gonna try this tomorrow I just ordered like 4 boxes for some fam. I also know that there is a way to access a folder on you pc with es file explorer have you tried that method or is Dropbox fastest?

I've done it both ways, in my setup there was no big difference in the speed: with Dropbox I'm limited by the combination of my FireTV wireless and my internet, direct from my PC I'm limited by the combination of my FireTV wireless and my PC wireless. If both the FireTV and the PC are wired, I expect direct from your PC to be faster than using Dropbox.
After thinking about it a little more, probably the simplest, fastest thing you can do is put everything on a flash drive and plug it into the USB port on the FireTV, then you don't even need to copy the files to the FireTV.
- Format the flashdrive to FAT32 first (required for the FireTV)
- Copy your library of apps to it, and plug it into the FireTV
- Open ES and go to Local/extUSB
- Long press one apk, in a couple of seconds it will show a checkmark
- Select all the other apks you want to install
- Go to the bottom right and click on More
- Select open
Then you will have to sit and tell it to install and give permissions to each app, one by one. I tried it with Dolphin browser, worked fine.

Terry T said:
I've done it both ways, in my setup there was no big difference in the speed: with Dropbox I'm limited by the combination of my FireTV wireless and my internet, direct from my PC I'm limited by the combination of my FireTV wireless and my PC wireless. If both the FireTV and the PC are wired, I expect direct from your PC to be faster than using Dropbox.
After thinking about it a little more, probably the simplest, fastest thing you can do is put everything on a flash drive and plug it into the USB port on the FireTV, then you don't even need to copy the files to the FireTV.
- Format the flashdrive to FAT32 first (required for the FireTV)
- Copy your library of apps to it, and plug it into the FireTV
- Open ES and go to Local/extUSB
- Long press one apk, in a couple of seconds it will show a checkmark
- Select all the other apks you want to install
- Go to the bottom right and click on More
- Select open
Then you will have to sit and tell it to install and give permissions to each app, one by one. I tried it with Dolphin browser, worked fine.
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Click to collapse
Doesn't es file explorer let you install the apks without transfering them?

Yes, that's what I did from the flashdrive. Over wireless, I go ahead and copy the files to the FireTV before installing just because I'm a little paranoid about an error in the transfer causing a problem.

Terry T said:
Yes, that's what I did from the flashdrive. Over wireless, I go ahead and copy the files to the FireTV before installing just because I'm a little paranoid about an error in the transfer causing a problem.
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I just tried it out on the box it works great thanks for the tip so much easier. It actually did crash when I selected install without transferring files first but I think it was because I was installing another apk over web at the same time lol. Anyway when it restarted it just picked up where it left off and asked if I wanted to overwrite some files.
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extract apk

I have some apps installed on my firestick 2 that I would like to move to my Sony Android tv, especially downloader. How can I extract the apk from the firestick to either my android phone or to a usb drive?
(OT Any help on how to sideload apps to the Android tv would also be appreciated).
Thanks.

/system/app
/system/priv-app

Thank you, but for that I would need to be rooted - which I am not.

Install es file explorer, go to apps, highlight the app you want by holding down the firestick central remote button, go to the bottom of the es explorer app where you’ll see backup, choose that. Repeat for each app or do it all at once. You’ll find the apk files stored in the backup folder under internal storage, backups, app. From there, pick your poison on how you transfer them to your Android tv.
In the past, I used dropbox to install apk files on to my stick. You could probably do the same with your Android tv box. The fire tv was simple because i could also use a usb flash drive plugged into the back to transfer / install the sideload apk files where as you need a two in one power/ usb cable for the stick to run the power and install a usb flash drive at the same time. I use lightning browser and if there’s an apk file I want quickly, I usually send it to my gmail account which I then download and install directly on to the stick. I use a mini bluetooth keyboard with the stick for easy input.
I’m sure there are a ton of other sideloading options. I just use what works for me.

TCL Android TV Sideloading problem

Hello,
I just bought a TCL android TV for my daughter and notice last night trying to sideload the Prime Video apk that i cant do it, dont even show the .apk on the fila manager.
Tried to download aptoid thru puffin browser and seems that the cant write in the storage outside from the play store.
Says " This Device do Not appear to support the android storage acess framework"
Anyone knows how to bypass it?

I used File Commander to transfer my apk files to the TV using my laptop and again used File Commander to install the apk files. You can try that and see if that works for you.

abhi.eternal said:
I used File Commander to transfer my apk files to the TV using my laptop and again used File Commander to install the apk files. You can try that and see if that works for you.
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Click to collapse
But TCL has disable writen acess on my TV!

access connected USB flash drive over network?

I have a USB flash drive attached to my Fire Stick TV (2nd Gen). I use it to store movie & music files, which I can play from the Fire Stick using VLC for Android. Works great.
Question: Is there any way that I can access that flash drive via my home network? I would like to be able to copy files to it from my computer. Currently, I have to do it via "sneakernet".
Any advice is much appreciated.

johnnyzero2 said:
I have a USB flash drive attached to my Fire Stick TV (2nd Gen). I use it to store movie & music files, which I can play from the Fire Stick using VLC for Android. Works great.
Question: Is there any way that I can access that flash drive via my home network? I would like to be able to copy files to it from my computer. Currently, I have to do it via "sneakernet".
Any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do "adb connect firestickIP".
adb ls /storage
The USB stick is mounted in /storage (something like /storage/3E91-AF2A). Use "adb push file target-path" to copy files to the USB stick.

Thank you.
I was hoping there might be some way to make the attached flash drive visible/accessible as a standard network share. My goal is to use Windows' File Explorer for file management on that drive, just like the other shared storage devices on my network.
I will try your suggestion of using ADB, although using a command-line interface for file management is not ideal. I found a few different Windows programs that will supposedly provide a File Explorer-like GUI for doing Android file management via ADB (ADB Browser, ADB Explorer, Device File Explorer, etc. ) . Maybe one of those will do the job.
Alternatively, I may try installing a SAMBA server ("LAN Drive") or FTP server ("FTP Server") on the Fire Stick; although neither app has very good reviews.
After trying all this stuff, I will definitely post the results here.

johnnyzero2 said:
Thank you.
I was hoping there might be some way to make the attached flash drive visible/accessible as a standard network share. My goal is to use Windows' File Explorer for file management on that drive, just like the other shared storage devices on my network.
I will try your suggestion of using ADB, although using a command-line interface for file management is not ideal. I found a few different Windows programs that will supposedly provide a File Explorer-like GUI for doing Android file management via ADB (ADB Browser, ADB Explorer, Device File Explorer, etc. ) . Maybe one of those will do the job.
Alternatively, I may try installing a SAMBA server ("LAN Drive") or FTP server ("FTP Server") on the Fire Stick; although neither app has very good reviews.
After trying all this stuff, I will definitely post the results here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some file managers (Solid Explorer, ES File Explorer) include FTP servers. I don't know if their FTP server provides access to the USB drive, though. There are likely other file managers that also include FTP servers.

dcarvil said:
Some file managers (Solid Explorer, ES File Explorer) include FTP servers. I don't know if their FTP server provides access to the USB drive, though. There are likely other file managers that also include FTP servers.
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Excellent advice - that will definitely do it for me. Thank you so much.
I wasn't aware that there were Android file managers with a built-in FTP server. I've always used FX File Manager, and it doesn't have that feature.
I tried both ES & Solid, and both worked fine for my purposes. I decided to go with Solid because the UI is slightly better, it allows you to add an FTP Server shortcut to your Android home screen, and it just seemed a little more... solid.. Definitely don't mind paying $1.99 for the full, ad-free version.
Problem solved - thanks again!