Retroreader

Wireless file transfer

This page explains how to access Retroreader's microSD card over local Wi-Fi.

Before connecting

Configure ".rr/WIFI.INI" as described in Preparing the SD card. Open File transfer from Retroreader's menu (hold Up, then press Up again). Reading and other card access stop while transfer mode is active, preventing two services from changing the card simultaneously.

Retroreader announces an address such as "RRXXXX" and its IP address. Your identifier will differ. In the examples below, replace "rrXXXX" with the identifier announced by your unit. You can also see your unit's identifier during the installation process.

File transfer currently has no password and should be used only on a trusted private network. Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz, although the computer may use another band if both bands belong to the same local network.

Browser interface

Open the following address in a web browser:

http://rrXXXX.local/

The browser interface can browse folders, upload and download files, create folders, rename or move items, and delete files or folders.

If the ".local" name does not resolve, use the announced numeric address, for example "http://192.168.1.77/".

Windows File Explorer

  1. Open File Explorer and select This PC.
  2. Choose See more, then Map network drive. Older versions of Windows show Map network drive directly on the ribbon.
  3. Choose an unused drive letter.
  4. Enter "http://rrXXXX.local/" in the Folder box.
  5. Select Finish.

You can also use Command Prompt:

net use * http://rrXXXX.local/

Windows uses its WebClient service for WebDAV. If Explorer says the network name cannot be found, start the WebClient service from the Services application and try again. Explorer can be slow when calculating progress or opening folders; the browser interface may be quicker for occasional transfers.

macOS Finder

  1. In Finder, choose Go, then Connect to Server, or press Command-K (⌘K).
  2. Enter "http://rrXXXX.local/".
  3. Choose Connect. If asked, connect as a guest.
  4. Retroreader appears as a mounted network location in Finder.

Eject the mounted location in Finder before leaving transfer mode.

Linux desktop file managers

Most desktop file managers use GVfs or KIO and can open WebDAV directly.

GNOME Files, Nautilus, Nemo and similar file managers

Open Other Locations, find Connect to Server, and enter:

dav://rrXXXX.local/

The command-line equivalent on a GVfs desktop is:

gio mount dav://rrXXXX.local/

KDE Plasma and Dolphin

Enter this in Dolphin's location bar:

webdav://rrXXXX.local/

Mounting with davfs2

Install "davfs2" using the distribution's package manager:

# Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Raspberry Pi OS
sudo apt install davfs2

# Fedora
sudo dnf install davfs2

# Arch Linux and Manjaro
sudo pacman -S davfs2

Create a mount point and mount the card:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/retroreader
sudo mount -t davfs http://rrXXXX.local/ /mnt/retroreader

If prompted for credentials, leave them blank. Unmount before leaving transfer mode:

sudo umount /mnt/retroreader

Ending transfer mode

Finish or cancel active copies, then unmount or disconnect the WebDAV location. Hold Centre on Retroreader to exit transfer mode and return to the library. Do not reset or remove power while a file is being written.

Troubleshooting