How to Share Laptop Video Files With Multiple Android Devices?

Introduction

Sharing files between devices is a common need for many people, especially when it comes to media files such as videos. In this blog post, we will explore how to share laptop video files with multiple Android devices. We will look at different methods and tools that can be used, and we will also discuss the importance of security and privacy when sharing files.

Method 1: Using Google Drive

Google Drive is a popular cloud storage service that allows users to store, share, and access files from anywhere. It is a great option for sharing files with multiple devices, including Android phones. Here are the steps to share video files using Google Drive:

Step 1: Upload the video files to Google Drive. You can do this by opening Google Drive on your laptop, clicking on the “New” button, and selecting “File upload.” Select the video files you want to upload and wait for the upload to complete.

Step 2: Share the video files with your sister. To do this, right-click on the video files you uploaded and select “Share.” Enter your sister’s email address and select the permission level you want to give her. In this case, you can select “Can view” to give her read-only access.

Step 3: Install the Google Drive app on your sister’s Android phone. You can download the app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, she can log in with her Google account and access the shared video files.

Step 4: Stream the video files on the Android phone. Your sister can open the Google Drive app, navigate to the shared video files, and select the one she wants to watch. The video will start streaming on her phone.

Method 2: Using Plex Media Server

Plex Media Server is a powerful tool that allows users to stream media files from their computer to other devices. It is a great option for sharing video files with multiple Android devices. Here are the steps to share video files using Plex Media Server:

Step 1: Install Plex Media Server on your laptop. You can download the software from the official website. Once installed, you will need to set up your media library by adding the video files you want to share.

Step 2: Create a Plex account. You will need to create an account to use Plex Media Server. You can do this by visiting the Plex website and following the instructions.

Step 3: Install the Plex app on your sister’s Android phone. You can download the app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, she can log in with her Plex account and access the shared video files.

Step 4: Stream the video files on the Android phone. Your sister can open the Plex app, navigate to the shared video files, and select the one she wants to watch. The video will start streaming on her phone.

Method 3: Using VLC Streamer

VLC Streamer is a free app that allows users to stream video files from their computer to their Android devices. It is a great option for sharing video files with multiple Android devices. Here are the steps to share video files using VLC Streamer:

Step 1: Install VLC Streamer on your laptop. You can download the software from the official website. Once installed, you will need to set up your media library by adding the video files you want to share.

Step 2: Install the VLC Streamer app on your sister’s Android phone. You can download the app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, she can connect to your laptop by entering your laptop’s IP address.

Step 3: Stream the video files on the Android phone. Your sister can open the VLC Streamer app on her phone, navigate to the shared video files, and select the one she wants to watch. The video will start streaming on her phone.

Security and Privacy Considerations

When sharing files between devices, it is important to consider security and privacy concerns. Here are some tips to ensure that your shared files are secure:

1. Use strong passwords: When sharing files using cloud storage services or media servers, make sure to use strong passwords to protect your accounts from unauthorized access.

2. Use encryption: Consider using encryption tools to protect your shared files from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized users.

3. Limit access: Only share files with people you trust and limit their access to read-only if possible.

4. Keep software up to date: Make sure to keep your software and operating system up to date to avoid security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Sharing laptop video files with multiple Android devices is easy with the right tools and methods. Google Drive, Plex Media Server, and VLC Streamer are great options for sharing video files, and it is important to consider security and privacy concerns when sharing files between devices. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that your shared files are secure and accessible to the people you want to share them with.

There are a few ways to share your video files with multiple Android devices:

1. Use a cloud storage service such as Google Drive or Dropbox to upload your video files. You can then share the files with your sister and set her access to read-only.
2. Share a folder on your laptop using Windows file sharing. This will allow your sister to access the files over your home network. However, you will need to set up a static IP address for your laptop and forward the necessary ports on your router to allow access from outside your network.
3. Use a media server software such as Plex to stream your video files to your sister’s Android device. This software allows you to set up user accounts and permissions, so you can give her read-only access to your files.
4. Use a screen mirroring app such as LetsView to share the screen of your laptop to your sister’s android device and remotely control the playback.

It’s important to note that, depending on the size of your files, the amount of data that your sister will use to stream the files over the internet, and the quality of the internet connection, it may not be the best experience for her.

There are several ways to share your video files with your sister while giving her read-only access. One solution is to use the VLC app to access the files from your PC and set up sharing rights and a password.

Another solution is to set up an Apache server with PHP support and create an index.php file that displays all the files in the /video folder.

Than create an index.php file containing this:

    <?php
      if ($handle = opendir('video/.')) {
        while (false !== ($file = readdir($handle))) {
          if ($file != "." && $file != "..") {
            $thelist .= '<li><a href="video/'.$file.'">'.$file.'</a></li>';
          }
        }
        closedir($handle);
      }
    ?>
    <h1>List of files in /Downloads/Video/:</h1>
    <ul><?php echo $thelist; ?></ul>

This shows all files in a /video folder in /srv/http/ or where ever you got your homepage files in – maybe C:\dev\www\ .

Your sister can access the files by typing in your computer’s IP address in the Firefox mobile app. Both of these methods will prevent your sister from deleting the files and she will be able to download the files if she has the read access.

Additionally, you could also use a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive and share a folder with your sister. This will allow her to access the files from her android phone and you can also access the files from your laptop. You can set the access level to read-only for the shared folder, so that your sister can only view the files but not delete or modify them.

Another option is to use a file transfer protocol (FTP) server software to share the files, and set up user accounts with read-only access. This will allow your sister to access the files remotely and also download them, but will not have the ability to delete them.

Overall, there are multiple options available to share your video files with your sister while maintaining read-only access, it depends on your preference and what tools you are comfortable with.