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What is FTP ?

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another host over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and uses separate control and data connections between the client and the server. FTP users may authenticate themselves using a clear-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username and password, but can connect anonymously if the server is configured to allow it.

For secure transmission that hides (encrypts) the username and password, and encrypts the content, FTP is often secured with SSL/TLS ("FTPS"). SSH File Transfer Protocol ("SFTP") is sometimes also used instead, but is technologically different.

• Source: Wikipedia 

Following are the steps to start FTP in Android device:

Step 1 Download Required .jar files.

First you need following JAR file:

1. commons-net-3.3.jar

• Download here: http://commons.apache.org/proper/commons-net/download_net.cgi

Download latest jar file and add into libs folder of your Android project.

Step 2 MyFTPClientFunctions class

Create new class MyFTPClientFunctions into your project. Now add some FTP functions into newly created class.

• public FTPClient mFTPClient = null; // Add top of the class

Now add method to connect FTP server. (Method to connect to FTP server)

public boolean ftpConnect(String host, String username, String password, int port) {


try {



mFTPClient = new FTPClient();





// connecting to the host
mFTPClient.connect(host, port);





// now check the reply code, if positive mean connection success
if (FTPReply.isPositiveCompletion(mFTPClient.getReplyCode())) {





// login using username & password


boolean status = mFTPClient.login(username, password);




<p>	/*
* Set File Transfer Mode

* To avoid corruption issue you must specified a correct
* transfer mode, such as ASCII_FILE_TYPE, BINARY_FILE_TYPE,
* EBCDIC_FILE_TYPE .etc. Here, I use BINARY_FILE_TYPE for
* transferring text, image, and compressed files.
*
mFTPClient.setFileType(FTP.BINARY_FILE_TYPE);
mFTPClient.enterLocalPassiveMode();
<p>	return status;
}
} catch (Exception e) {
Log.d(TAG, "Error: could not connect to host " + host);
}
return false;
}</p>

Now add method to disconnect FTP server. (Method to disconnect from FTP server)

<p>	public boolean ftpDisconnect() {
try {
mFTPClient.logout();
mFTPClient.disconnect();
return true;
} catch (Exception e) {
Log.d(TAG, "Error occurred while disconnecting from ftp server.");
}
return false;
}</p>

Now add method to upload file on FTP server.

<p>public boolean ftpUpload(String srcFilePath, String desFileName,
String desDirectory, Context context) {
boolean status = false;
try {
FileInputStream srcFileStream = new FileInputStream(srcFilePath);</p>
<p>	// change working directory to the destination directory
// if (ftpChangeDirectory(desDirectory)) {
status = mFTPClient.storeFile(desFileName, srcFileStream);
// }</p>
<p>	srcFileStream.close();</p>
<p>	return status;
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
Log.d(TAG, "upload failed: " + e);
}
return status;
}</p>

More methods are in full demo project.

Step 3 Call FTP Functions

Calling of above FTP functions. Create new class which extend Activity.

Add following into your class:

private MyFTPClientFunctions ftpclient = null;

Now add following into onCreate:

ftpclient = new MyFTPClientFunctions();

For start FTP connection:

<p>new Thread(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
boolean status = false;
// host – your FTP address
// username & password – for your secured login
// 21 default gateway for FTP
status = ftpclient.ftpConnect(host, username, password, 21);
if (status == true) {
Log.d(TAG, "Connection Success");	} else {
Log.d(TAG, "Connection failed");
}
}
}).start();</p>

For terminate FTP connection:

<p>new Thread(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
ftpclient.ftpDisconnect();
}
}).start();</p>

If you have got any query related handling FTP in Android comment them below. Other FTP functions are in full demo project.

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Ajay Parmar

I am professional game developer, developing games in unity (for all platforms). I am very passionate about game development and aim to create addictive, interactive, high quality games.