How to sync GoodReader with your Mac (without additional app)

GoodReader is a very good and useful app. But as we know, it’s hard to sync files with Mac (i really hate transfering files in and out via iTunes). Even someone recommend  using Dropbox i think it’s still hard to sync when going out of home, lack of WiFi or bad internet speed. Now, no problem anymore. I’ve just founded a way that very easy and no need any WiFi network from anywhere.

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This solution is all about 3 steps.

1. Create your own locally WiFi network with your mac.
2. Set your mac to be a FTP server.
3. Use “Connect to Servers” function in GoodReader.

and it’s all no need even single additional app.

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STEP 1 : Create your own locally WiFi network with your mac

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1. Click on WiFi icon on the top bar. > Choose “Create Network…”.

2. Name your network. Choose channel you want. Set your password (if you concern about security) or just leave what your Mac choose for you > then click “OK”.

3. Now you have your own WiFi network creating from your Mac. (You can use this function to create your own network for other jobs, such as, connect to your iTunes library via iPad or iPhone when no WiFi network around, or when use your iPhone as Keynote controller  with no WiFi. bla bla bla..)

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STEP 2 : Set your mac to be a FTP server.

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1. Click Apple logo on top-left corner of your screen > choose “System Preferences…” (or you just click on System Preferences icon on your dock)

2. Click on “Sharing” > tick on the “File Sharing” then click “Option”

3. tick on “Share files and folders using FTP”. Look at the FTP address below and note it out, we need this address for GoodReader. (your FTP address’s is your computer’s name. even you connect on other WiFi network that you didn’t create by your Mac this address is still work) > click “Done” to finish.

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STEP 3 : Use “Connect to Servers” function in GoodReader.

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** Don’t forget to change your WiFi network on iPad to the network your just created in STEP 1

1. Grab you iPad, open GoodReader and click on “Add” button in “Connect to Servers” tab on the right.

2. Choose FTP server

3. Fill in the FTP address we noted out before and don’t forget to fill in the “Readable Title” (it’s not an optional like it says).

4. Now you have the connection to your FTP server.

5. Fill in the username and password of your Mac whatever you want. If you don’t want to do everytime, just turn on “Remember Credentials” switch.

6. You can browse folders on your mac. Ready to choose a folder to sync.

7. Tap on folder you want to sync (or tap the blue arrow after folder’s name to choose sub-folder” > click “Sync” (or just “Download” if you don’t want to sync the folder”).

8. It will show a little instruction, you should read. > Tap “Proceed”.

9. Choose the destination folder on your GoodReader or create new folder > tap “Download here & Synchronize”.

10. Now Sync Parameters window showed up. You don’t need to change anything (but if you want, just read it carefully). Default setting will never delete any files on your mac (remote file) but files on your iPad (local files) can be deleted when sync. > then click “Sync”

11. Username and password again. same as before. > click “OK”

12. Now syncing process begin.

13. When it finished. You can see the folder (or file) you synced on the left with a little green icon (where the destination you choose before). You also see it in “Web Downloads” tab on the right. If you want to sync just one folder you can click the green button. If you want to sync all your folders, tap on “Sync” button on top-right.

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** Please remind that if you set folders to sync with your mac, the folder (on iPad) can’t be changed or deleted. You have to  remove the folder out of “Web Download” tab by swift-and-delete it first then you can actually change the name or delete it.

** As told you before. The FTP you added by creating your own WiFi network with your Mac can be used with any WiFi networks.

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That’s all. Hope you enjoy using your iPad more and more ^__^.

ps. forgive me about my Eng.