Importing via WiFi Transfer

WiFi Transfer lets you upload music from any computer to your device using a web browser. Just drag your files into the browser and they appear in BitDek.

Overview

The WiFi Transfer workflow:

1. Enable WiFi Transfer in BitDek
2. Open the provided address in your computer’s browser
3. Drag and drop files (or use the file browser)
4. Watch real-time progress as files upload and import

This method works well for transferring large collections from your computer. The web interface handles folders, preserves structure for artwork matching, and shows progress for every file.

Requirements

• Your iPhone/iPad and computer must be on the same WiFi network
• Or connected to the same local network (Ethernet works too)
• A modern web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

Starting WiFi Transfer

On Your Device

1. Open BitDek and go to the Import Music screen
2. Find the WiFi Transfer section
3. Toggle Sharing via WiFi to ON

Once enabled, you’ll see:

• A local address like bitdek-12345.local:8080 (preferred)
• A fallback IP address like http://192.168.1.100:8080
• Buttons for QR code and help

Connecting from Your Computer

Option 1: Type the address Enter the .local address in your browser. If that doesn’t work, use the IP address.

Option 2: Scan the QR code Tap the QR button in BitDek. Scan it with your phone’s camera, then open the link. This works if you want to transfer from a phone to your tablet, for example.

The web interface loads with BitDek’s branding and a drop zone for your files.

The Web Interface

Upload Area

The main interface shows:

• A large drop zone: “Drop files or folders here”
• Two links: “browse files” and “browse folders”
• Your device name in the header

Uploading Files

Drag and drop:

1. Find your music files/folders on your computer
2. Drag them into the browser window
3. Drop them on the upload area

File browser:

1. Click “browse files” to select individual files
2. Click “browse folders” to select entire folders

Both methods work. Drag and drop is usually faster for large batches.

Supported File Types

Audio: FLAC, ALAC, M4A, AAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3

Images: JPG, PNG (for album artwork)

Other file types are ignored.

Upload Progress

As files upload, you’ll see:

• Each file listed with its name and size
• A progress bar showing upload percentage
• Status icons (uploading, completed, failed)
• Running totals: files uploaded, total size

The interface updates in real time via a live connection to your device.

Import Progress

After files finish uploading, BitDek processes them:

• Metadata extraction
• Artwork handling
• Library organization

Import progress appears in the app as a banner at the top of the screen, showing how many files have been processed. If any files have issues (duplicates, missing metadata, or failures), tap the warning badge to see details on the Import Music screen.

Folder Uploads

When you drag a folder (or use “browse folders”):

• The entire folder structure uploads
• Subfolders are preserved
• Album artwork files are associated with tracks in the same folder

This makes folder uploads ideal for organized music collections. Drop your “Artist/Album” folder structure and artwork matching happens automatically.

Tips for Best Results

Organize Before Uploading

Clean folder structure produces better results:

Music/
├── Artist Name/
│   ├── Album Title/
│   │   ├── cover.jpg
│   │   ├── 01 - Track One.flac
│   │   └── 02 - Track Two.flac

BitDek extracts metadata from your files. Good folder organization provides fallback information when tags are incomplete.

Include Artwork

If your albums have folder artwork (cover.jpg, folder.png), include them in your upload. BitDek uses these when embedded artwork isn’t available.

Upload in Batches

For very large collections, consider uploading in batches:

• Upload one artist or genre at a time
• Verify imports complete successfully
• Continue with the next batch

This makes it easier to track progress and identify any issues.

Check Network Stability

WiFi Transfer moves data over your local network. For large uploads:

• Stay on the same network throughout
• Avoid switching WiFi networks mid-transfer
• Wired connections (Ethernet) are more stable than WiFi

Keep the App Active

BitDek works best when kept in the foreground during transfers. Briefly switching to another app may work, but active uploads can stall if iOS suspends BitDek. For reliable transfers, keep the app visible.

For long transfers, keep your device plugged in and prevent auto-lock.

Auto-Stop Behavior

WiFi Transfer automatically stops after:

• 30 minutes of inactivity (no uploads)
• Network disconnection
• Manual toggle off

This preserves battery life. When you’re done transferring, you can leave it running and it will stop on its own.

Troubleshooting

Can’t Connect to Address

If the browser can’t reach your device:

1. Check the network - Both devices must be on the same WiFi/network
2. Try the IP address - The .local address uses Bonjour, which some networks block
3. Check firewall - Corporate networks may block local connections
4. Restart WiFi Transfer - Toggle it off and on in BitDek

Upload Stalls or Fails

If uploads stop mid-transfer:

1. Check your network connection
2. Verify BitDek is still in the foreground
3. Try refreshing the browser and uploading again
4. For large files, verify your device has enough storage

Failed uploads can be retried. The web interface shows retry status for each file.

Files Upload But Don’t Appear in Library

If uploads complete but tracks don’t appear:

1. Check the Import Summary in BitDek for details
2. Files may have been duplicates (skipped intentionally)
3. Unsupported formats are ignored
4. Metadata issues may cause organization problems

”WiFi or Ethernet connection required”

This message means your device isn’t connected to a local network. Connect to WiFi and try again. Cellular data doesn’t work for WiFi Transfer.

Security Notes

WiFi Transfer runs a local server on your device. It’s accessible only from your local network, not from the internet.

Safety measures:

• Server only accepts connections from local network addresses
• No authentication required (local network is trusted)
• Server stops automatically after inactivity
• No data sent to external servers

For maximum security, use WiFi Transfer on trusted networks (home, office) rather than public WiFi.

Comparison with Other Methods

Feature	WiFi Transfer	Source Folders	Share Extension
Transfer from computer	Yes	No	No
No cables needed	Yes	N/A	N/A
Large collection friendly	Yes	Depends	Depends
Real-time progress	Yes	Yes	Limited
Best for	Computer to device	Cloud/device files	Quick shares

Related Guides

• Importing via Source Folders - For cloud and device storage
• Importing via Share Extension - Quick shares from other apps
• Understanding Audio File Metadata - How your tags affect organization