How to access USB storage device on the TP-Link Routers from Windows or Mac OS

NOTE: If you failed to access the USB drive, please refer to the FAQ: Can't access my USB drive plugged into TP-Link router

This article tells you how to access the USB storage device on Windows and macOS via Samba, FTP locally and remotely.

Router Settings

1. Plug the USB storage device into the USB port of the TP-Link router.

2. Log in to the router’s webpage. You may refer to the FAQ How do I log into the web-based Utility (Management Page) of the TP-Link wireless router?

3. Go to USB settings. (Advanced->USB->USB storage Device). If the router recognizes the USB storage device, it will show in the status.

4. Considering the safety, we suggest you enable the“Secure Sharing” option to prevent others from accessing your USB drive without login.

Access the USB drive on Windows and macOS.

There are 2 options to visit the USB drive. Please make sure the corresponding services are enabled.

Option 1. Access USB drive locally

1). Windows.

SMB(Samba):

Open File explorer. Type \\tplinkwifi.net or \\192.168.0.1

Note:192.168.0.1 is the LAN IP of the router. If you have changed it, please use the current LAN IP of our router.

Type in the username and password above to log in.

FTP:

Open File explorer, type ftp://tplinkwifi.net or ftp://192.168.0.1. Type in the username and password above to log in.

2) MacOS.

Open Finder, select “Go”, then click “Connect to Server...”

SMB(Samba):

Type smb://tplinkwifi.net or smb://192.168.0.1 .(192.168.0.1 is the LAN IP of router)

FTP:

Type ftp://tplinkwifi.net or ftp://192.168.0.1

Type the username and password above to login.

Option 2. Access USB drive remotely.

Please attention that only FTP is supported to access the USB drive remotely. Check “Internet FTP”, then click save to enable the Internet FTP service. Using the address in the screenshot to visit the USB remotely.

1). Windows.

Open File explorer. Type in ftp://WAN IP

Remind:

The IP address 10.10.10.13 in this example is the WAN IP of your router. (Find the WAN IP via Advanced >- Status)

2).MacOS.

Open Finder, select “Go”, then click “Connect to Server...”.Type in ftp://WAN IP to access the USB drive remotely. Type in your username and password to log in.