Wear OS - How to Set Up SMB Network Storage

What is SMB in Wear OS?

SMB allows your Wear OS watch to access files from:

UI Steps to Add SMB Connection

Step 1: Open Network Storage

On your Wear watch:

  1. Open FastMediaSorter app
  2. Navigate to Browse tab
  3. Scroll down to Network Storage section
  4. Tap on Network Storage or Add Connection

What you see: A list showing:

Step 2: Tap “Add SMB Connection”

Click the ”+ Add SMB Connection” button

What appears: The “Add SMB Connection” screen with these fields:

Step 3: Enter Server Details

Since Wear OS has limited text input, you’ll need to enter details using:

  1. Long-press the “Server:” chip
  2. Say your server IP or hostname
    • Example: “192 dot 168 dot 1 dot 50”
    • Example: “nas dot local”
  3. Watch will display what it heard

Option B: Character Picker

  1. Tap the “Server:” chip
  2. A character picker appears (tap letters/numbers)
  3. Enter your server address

Option C: Phone App (Easier!)

  1. On your phone, use the main app to add the network source
  2. Both devices share the same account
  3. The connection syncs automatically to your watch

Step 4: Fill in Fields

Server: IP address or hostname

Share: Folder name to access

User: Your username (if required)

Password: Your password (if required)

Step 5: Test Connection

  1. After entering all required fields, tap “Test Connection” button
  2. Watch shows status:
    • ✓ “Connected” - Success! Green indicator
    • ✗ “Failed: Access Denied” - Check credentials
    • ✗ “Failed: Cannot reach server” - Check IP/hostname

Step 6: Save Connection

  1. Once test succeeds, tap “Save” button
  2. Watch shows: “Connection saved”
  3. You’re returned to Network Storage list
  4. Your new connection now appears in the list!

Example: Adding a NAS Device

Typical settings:

Server: 192.168.1.50
Share: media
User: admin
Password: your_password

Steps:

  1. Go to Browse → Network Storage
  2. Tap “+ Add SMB Connection”
  3. Voice input: “Server: 192.168.1.50” (or use character picker)
  4. Swipe right → Tap “Share:” → Voice: “media”
  5. Swipe right → Tap “User:” → Voice: “admin”
  6. Swipe right → Tap “Password:” → Voice: your_password
  7. Scroll down → Tap “Test Connection”
  8. Wait for success message ✓
  9. Tap “Save”
  10. Done! Now browse your NAS files

Example: Adding Windows Shared Folder

Typical settings:

Server: 192.168.1.100
Share: MyVideos
User: (leave empty)
Password: (leave empty)

Steps:

  1. Go to Browse → Network Storage
  2. Tap “+ Add SMB Connection”
  3. Enter server IP: 192.168.1.100
  4. Enter share name: MyVideos
  5. Leave user/password empty
  6. Test connection
  7. Save

What Happens After Save?

After saving, your connection:

  1. Appears in the Network Storage list with icon 📡
  2. Shows: “[Name]” and “[Server IP]”
  3. Tap it to browse files on that share
  4. Navigate folders like you would on your phone

Troubleshooting

“Failed: Cannot reach server”

“Failed: Access Denied”

“Cannot find share”

“Text input not working”

Since text input on Wear is limited, easier way to set up SMB:

  1. On your phone:
    • Open main FastMediaSorter app
    • Go to Network Storage
    • Tap “+ Add Network Source”
    • Fill in details easily with phone keyboard
    • Save
  2. On your watch:
    • Connection automatically syncs
    • Just browse and use!

This way you don’t have to voice input everything on the watch.

Network Storage Files Browser

Once connected, you can:

Performance Tips

  1. Use 5GHz WiFi - Faster than 2.4GHz
  2. Stay close to router - Better signal on watch
  3. Server should be wired - Faster access
  4. Don’t run other apps - Frees up resources

Removing a Network Connection

  1. Go to Network Storage list
  2. Long-press the connection you want to remove
  3. Tap “Delete” or “Remove”
  4. Confirm deletion

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