The PC is unable to detect other computers in its network areas.
The PC is unable to detect other computers in its network areas.
I began this whole setup with a shared folder network because I needed a way for my iPhone to access and transfer files. On the first PC, I shared a folder and used its login details to connect. It functioned properly then. Later, I wanted to add an account for my iPhone using different credentials than the one on the main PC. Now I have a second PC and created a shared folder there, added a user in Computer Management, and used that user for the iPhone. The issue is that after some adjustments, the first PC isn’t showing the second PC in its network list, and the iPhone can’t access the shared folder on the first PC. If I use the original PC credentials, it just fails to log in and restarts to the Files app. Using the custom user from the first PC gives an error. The PC can reach the second PC’s folder via IP, but it doesn’t appear in network locations, and the iPhone can’t connect at all. I’ve checked all private settings and sharing options, but the problem persists.
A possible approach is to streamline your network setup by assigning the same user account and shared folder to both PC1 and PC2, which could resolve permission or credential problems. You might also attempt to turn off any firewalls or security programs that block connections, or confirm that both devices and your iPhone are on the identical network and subnet. Additionally, you could explore using a dedicated file-sharing service tailored for mobile use, like Dropbox or OneDrive, offering a more straightforward and dependable way to access and move files between your devices.
I understand your point. It seems the setup got a bit messy, but I went with a simpler approach. Since I had an extra USB drive bay, I could swap two mechanical SATA drives easily. One day I connected that to my router and everything worked smoothly—iPhone, iPad, TV, and PCs all accessed the drive without issues. In a home setting, any slowdown from using USB on the router isn’t noticeable. But in a workplace, it’s better to avoid that method since it can slow things down.