# Server: Host Files Locally

> Mobile web server for local network file sharing and static website hosting. (iPhone/iPad app by Dumpling Software UG (haftungsbeschrankt).)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/server-host-files-locally/id1668447062 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dumpling Software UG (haftungsbeschrankt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1397364207)
- Category: Developer Tools, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.73/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.4 · 37 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2023-01-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/server-host-files-locally/id1668447062/reviews.md

## What is Server?

Start a web server on your mobile device and access it from other devices in your local network.

FEATURES

- Use folders stored locally on your iPhone/iPad or in iCloud
- Serve static files and websites over HTTP
- Run the server also while the app is in the background
- Enable Directory Listing to browse the selected folder in your browser
- Multitask in SplitView on iPad by eg. using the server and Safari at the same time
- Add password to control access to shared content
- Customize Directory Listing: theme, dotfile visibility, footer text

HOW TO

1. Choose a folder and press “start”
2. Open the generated IP address in a browser on a device in the same WiFi network
3. Done, there is no third step!

USE CASES

- Quickly share files on your iPhone/iPad with other devices in the same WiFi network
- Host a static website, useful for eg. software developers working on the go
- Send files to devices that have limited connectivity features (eg. GPS navigation, gaming consoles etc)
- Create a small media server for your household

TIPS
- The server works on and is visible to other devices only on the same WiFi network (ie. connected to the same router)
- This is a static server which means can’t be used as eg. a PHP or NodeJS backend server
- The Background Mode requires an audio track played while the app is not visible. Go to settings to pick from a number of pleasant nature sounds!

## Key features

- Host static files and websites
- Access from other devices on local network
- Use local storage or iCloud folders
- Background server operation
- Password protection for shared content
- Customizable directory listing

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $7.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/server-host-files-locally/id1668447062/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Perfect!

*2025-12-06*

I am so happy to have found a app that hosts web files locally, as I just could NOT find a app to do it well, but now I have!

Overall this is a great app, it allows you to make a web server (or file server, your pick) on your LAN! This is extremely useful if you want to share webpages with someone or a household so that anyone can access the webpage. This is amazingly useful in web development.

I only have one suggestion, I found this as a feature in VLC for iOS, and the feature is that instead of JUST having a IP address, it also broadcasts a normal URL to use! (In VLC if your phones name was “Mike’s iPhone”the URL would be “mikes-iphone.local”) I think it would be a nice option for free users. As for paid users, they could set a seperate URL that doesn’t pull from a device’s name. An extra benefit you could do with this is allow the user to choose their own TLD so it looks like a real website!

But otherwise that’s it! Thank you for making this app.

Edit: There is a bug that you can get a 403 even though “Directory Listing” Is toggled on, you can fix it by restarting the app though

Oh! Also please fix the issue with CSS breaking on some webpages, or going straight to the index page in the file browser instead of looking at everything in that directory

### 3/5 — It works, but does not support UTF-8

*2025-05-29*

Only works for English characters.

### 1/5 — Would be nice if it worked but it doesn’t.

*2024-10-02*

Browser from another device just sees nothing and errors out. I tried a different, free open source app on an Android machine hosted some files and connection is immediate. 

Why did I even bother with a freemium iOS app to begin with? lol lesson learned; go Android.

### 1/5 — abandoned

*2024-08-30*

Literally only shows the directory listing on the device you are "hosting a server" from.

No other devices on that network will find this "server" and the program itself won't "preview in browser" gets URL errors.

### 5/5 — App Suits Purpose

*2024-03-19*

This server app suits the purpose, and so will consider upgrading for purchase (as to developer really isn’t making much out of this and is deserving of. Thanks)

### 2/5 — Free version doesn’t work and too expensive

*2024-03-10*

This app seems to work fine but in the free version you can’t browser to the files except in a tiny inbuilt browser. Pretty useless and its way too expensive for what it is to go Pro.

### 3/5 — Still supported ?

*2024-01-26*

I cannot upgrade to pro nor can I contact the app support. Are u still alive guys ?

**Developer response:** Hi there, what issue with upgrading do you have? Feel free to contact me at rafal@dumpling.software

### 2/5 — Any Updates?

*2023-10-23*

To The Developer: Do you plan on releasing any updates to this app?

**Developer response:** Hello, what updates would you expect?

### 5/5 — Works as advertised

*2023-09-05*

Simple app works as advertised

### 2/5 — Doesn’t work well with media

*2023-08-17*

My tablet refused to recognize small mp4 files I have in a folder in my phone or iPad. Also no bonjour support so you always must use an ip address… not that it matters if it’s not worth starting up anyway.

EDIT:: yes it’s worth the review since it doesn’t work for it’s stated/intended purpose.

**Developer response:** And that’s your reason for ruining my app’s rating?

## Frequently asked questions about Server

### How do I start using Server?

To start, choose a folder on your device and tap 'start'. Then, open the generated IP address in a browser on another device connected to the same WiFi network. The server will then be accessible.

### What kind of server is Server?

Server is a static file server. It can serve static files and websites but cannot be used as a backend server for dynamic languages like PHP or NodeJS.

### Can Server run in the background?

Yes, Server can run in the background. For this feature to work, an audio track needs to be playing, and you can select nature sounds from the app's settings.

### What devices does Server support?

Server is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It also supports multitasking in SplitView on iPad, allowing you to use it alongside other apps like Safari.

### How secure is Server?

You can add a password to control access to the content you are sharing via the server, enhancing the security of your shared files and websites.

### What is the rating for Server?

Server has a rating of 3.7 stars based on 11 ratings. The app is rated for ages 4+.

### When was Server last updated?

The latest version of Server, 1.2.1, was released on February 13, 2023. The initial release date was January 29, 2023.

### Can I use Server to share files outside my local network?

No, Server only works on and is visible to other devices connected to the same WiFi network, meaning they must be connected to the same router.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.2.1 — 2023-02-13

Improved the server status information and added a browser preview feature.

### 1.2.0 — 2023-02-10

Now it's possible to use the server also while the app is running in the background or the phone is locked!

### 1.1.0 — 2023-02-06

Added more ways to customize the server!

### 1.0.0 — 2023-01-29

No release notes.

## More apps by Dumpling Software UG (haftungsbeschrankt)

- [Roll A Story](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roll-a-story/id1397364208)
- [LipoBuddy: Know Your Lipos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lipobuddy-know-your-lipos/id1419088071)
- [Roast My Photo: Better Dating](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roast-my-photo-better-dating/id6474567077)

All apps by Dumpling Software UG (haftungsbeschrankt): https://appshunter.io/developer/1397364207

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*