Possible to Write an iPhone App that acts as an "Access Point" ?
Is it possible to write an iPhone App ( and/or an Android phone App ) which acts as an "Access Point" -- that is, it transmits its own Wifi network. For example, then a nearby PC could connect to that wifi network and receive images sent from the iPhone?
I'm not sure if the term "Hot Spot" is the same as what I call an "Access Point" -- perhaps it is the same.
Reason: I want to make an App to transmit directly from iPhone to a nearby PC (without the need for any outside wifi network, and without the need for an internet connection). I have an App now to do this, but it relies on the PC to run 'hosted network' to create the wifi network. Unfortunately, many PCs have wifi cards that are not up to do this, so essentially my App only works with certain PCs -- which is not cool. Or we have to add a USB mini-router to the mix, which would seem simple, but its just enough of a hassle to turn off my users.
The correct technical solution is probably to have the iPhone create the network -- if this is possible -- and if it is "allowed", I saw some information once that implied that while this is technically possible, it may be that your service provider may be able to limit whether or not your smartphone is able to act as an "Access Point" (or "Hot Spot" -- if the same).
Thanks if you can shed light on the possibilities.
I'm not sure if the term "Hot Spot" is the same as what I call an "Access Point" -- perhaps it is the same.
Reason: I want to make an App to transmit directly from iPhone to a nearby PC (without the need for any outside wifi network, and without the need for an internet connection). I have an App now to do this, but it relies on the PC to run 'hosted network' to create the wifi network. Unfortunately, many PCs have wifi cards that are not up to do this, so essentially my App only works with certain PCs -- which is not cool. Or we have to add a USB mini-router to the mix, which would seem simple, but its just enough of a hassle to turn off my users.
The correct technical solution is probably to have the iPhone create the network -- if this is possible -- and if it is "allowed", I saw some information once that implied that while this is technically possible, it may be that your service provider may be able to limit whether or not your smartphone is able to act as an "Access Point" (or "Hot Spot" -- if the same).
Thanks if you can shed light on the possibilities.
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The correct technical solution is probably to have the iPhone create the network -- if this is possible -- and if it is "allowed", I saw some information once that implied that while this is technically possible, it may be that your service provider may be able to limit whether or not your smartphone is able to act as an "Access Point" (or "Hot Spot" -- if the same).
Hotspot is the right term. A carrier can restrict the ability of a phone to work as a hotspot.
Eoin has a great comment. You could use what he has mentioned.
Sharing files is independent of using the phone as an access point in my experience. I use my phone as a Hotspot when needed, but that does not provide file sharing by itself.
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I have not found any App that will do what I need, although what I need sounds simple. But I'd love to find out I'm wrong. What I need: when smartphone snaps a photo, it is automatically sent on WiFi so that a local PC on same WiFi can receive it. That is, take a photo and a couple seconds later the image pops up on the PC. Sounds simple; there are tens of thousands of Apps, but.. none do this. So I paid a developer to make one for me, which works - but ie Id like to change it so it creates it's own access point instead of needing to rely on a network being present. I did ( a while back ) look at PushBullet and others, but they couldn't do it.
So the big difference is that you want it to be automatic, rather than your selecting.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth would've been the best two methods of transfer without wireless, and I don't recommend Bluetooth for security reasons.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to have it look at existing connections. I say this because if you try to force a hotspot, then it may cause issues where the computer in question is already on the same network in a non-hotspot situation)
However, I would say that since you've already gone as far as paying a developer to create the app, to have this discussion with the developer.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth would've been the best two methods of transfer without wireless, and I don't recommend Bluetooth for security reasons.
So I paid a developer to make one for me, which works - but ie Id like to change it so it creates it's own access point instead of needing to rely on a network being present.I don't know ins and outs of the iOS API. It may have a way to have a user be prompted that wifi is turned off and to request permission to turn it on, but I don't know whether it would necessarily be able to force the hotspot issue.
Generally speaking, it makes more sense to have it look at existing connections. I say this because if you try to force a hotspot, then it may cause issues where the computer in question is already on the same network in a non-hotspot situation)
However, I would say that since you've already gone as far as paying a developer to create the app, to have this discussion with the developer.
I’m assuming the developer told you it wasn’t possible or that they didn’t know how to do what you want.
I’m only an intermediate iOS developer myself but I’m fairly sure that Apple do not allow 3rd party apps to toggle or control the iOS Personal Hotspot feature from within any app. It must be accessed directly in the Settings
I’m only an intermediate iOS developer myself but I’m fairly sure that Apple do not allow 3rd party apps to toggle or control the iOS Personal Hotspot feature from within any app. It must be accessed directly in the Settings
There is another option if the device concerned is an Apple OSX Desktop & iOS have bluetooth enabled you can move file over Bluetooth using an system called AirDrop.