How to Transfer Files between Windows, Linux & Phone using FTP - Complete Tutorial 2026

In this tutorial, I'll walk you through every step to transfer files between Windows, Linux, and a smartphone using FTP – all over your local network. No cloud, no USB cables. 📁 Windows acts as the FTP server (IIS). 🐧 Linux and 📱 mobile connect as clients. 🔢 Steps covered: 1. Enable IIS and FTP server on Windows 2. Create a shared folder and add your files 3. Set Security (NTFS) permissions – ignore the Sharing tab (add any Windows user) 4. Create FTP site – supports single user, multiple users (comma-separated), or user groups 5. Test FTP server locally (ftp://localhost) 6. Configure Windows Firewall (allow FTP Server app) 7. Find Windows IP address 8. Connect from Linux (ping → command line FTP → GUI file manager) 9. Connect from mobile (CX File Explorer: Network → + → Remote → FTP) ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 0:20 – Step 1: Enable IIS and FTP server 1:08 – Step 2: Create a shared folder and add your files 1:32 – Step 3: Set folder permissions (Security tab only) 2:55 – Step 4: Create FTP site in IIS 4:08 – Step 5: Test FTP server locally (ftp://localhost) 5:12 – Step 6: Configure Windows Firewall 5:40 – Step 7: Find Windows IP address 5:59 – Step 8: Connect from Linux (ping → CLI → GUI) 7:49 – Step 9: Connect from mobile 9:05 – Common problems & fixes 10:23 – Security note 10:45 – Outro 🖥️ Linux tip: Once connected via GUI, the FTP folder is mounted on your desktop and behaves just like a local folder. 📱 Android tip: In CX File Explorer, go to Network, tap the + icon, select Remote, then choose FTP. Select FTP protocol (not FTPS), port 21, then enter your Windows username and password. 👥 Multiple users: Add each user to the folder's Security tab AND to IIS Authorization (comma-separated). 📄 Adding files: Simply copy any files you want to share into the folder – photos, documents, videos, etc. ✅ Systematic Linux testing: - ping → confirms network connectivity - ftp command → confirms FTP service and authentication - GUI file manager → for actual file transfers (mounted folder) ⚠️ Security: Plain FTP is not encrypted. Use only on trusted home networks. For public Wi‑Fi or internet, use SFTP or FTPS instead. 📢 Subscribe for more networking tutorials. #FTP #Windows #Linux #Mobile #FileTransfer #Tutorial2026