SimpleHttpServer
Turn your Android device into a static web server on your local network. It also works as an HTTP file server.
News & Updates
- Version 3.6.1 Released
- Version 3.6.0 Released
- Version 3.5.0 Released
Overview
SimpleHttpServer turns your Android device into a small static web server on your local network. It serves the HTML, images and other files in folders on your phone or tablet straight to the web browser of any device on the same Wi-Fi — laptop, desktop, smart TV, another phone. It also works as an HTTP file server: browse, download, and upload files using just a web browser. No cloud account, no internet connection, and no installation on the other devices.
Features
- Multiple shared folders — Add any number of folders through Android’s system file picker; each appears as a top-level entry. No special storage permissions required.
- Download folders as ZIP — Every folder page has a “Download this folder as ZIP” link to grab an entire directory (including sub-folders) in one go. Turn it off in Settings for single-file downloads only.
- Upload from a browser — Turn on “Allow uploads” to drop files from a remote browser into your shared folders. Each shared folder has its own read/write switch, so you can mix upload-friendly folders with download-only ones. Existing files are never overwritten — duplicates are saved as “name (1)”, “name (2)”, and so on.
- Root folder — Mark one shared folder as the root so its contents are served directly at “/”.
- index.html serving — Turn it on in Settings and a folder that contains an index.html shows that page instead of the file listing. Combined with the root folder, a static site is served as-is at “/”.
- Digest Authentication — Protect access with a username and password (with curl, add
--digest -u user:pass). - HTTPS (encryption), with HTTP alongside — Serve over TLS using a self-signed certificate generated on this device; verify it via its SHA-256 fingerprint and trust it on clients. When HTTPS is on, an optional “HTTP listener” can keep HTTP available on its regular port — either as a plain endpoint or as a 307 redirect to the HTTPS URL. Only self-signed certificates are supported.
- Network interface selection — Wi-Fi only (default, recommended), all networks, or localhost only, so it stays off the cellular interface.
- MediaStore browsing — Optionally expose Android-managed media (images, audio, video) through a separate path.
- mDNS / Bonjour discovery — Optionally advertise on the LAN so apps like VLC and Finder can find it without typing the IP.
- Tablet-friendly UI — On large landscape screens, server controls and the log are shown side by side.
- Mobile-friendly directory listings — Full-width tappable rows with larger text that follow the device’s light/dark theme.
- Auto-start — Optionally start the server when the device boots or when the app is opened.
- One-tap sharing — Each server URL has Copy, QR-code, and Share buttons.
- Built-in guide — Settings → About includes a “How to use” guide covering uploads, HTTPS, and curl examples.
No ads · No tracking · No account required. The server runs entirely on your device and serves files over HTTP, or HTTPS when you enable it.
Localized in English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Requirements: Android 8.0 (API 26) or later.
Security note
By default the server uses plain HTTP, so credentials and files are not encrypted in transit. Turn on HTTPS to encrypt the connection with a self-signed certificate. Use it on trusted local networks; only enable uploads on networks you trust, and consider turning on Digest Authentication and/or HTTPS.
FAQ
How do I open the files on my Android phone from a PC browser?
Add a folder through the system file picker and start the server. Then open the URL shown in the app — it can be copied, shared or shown as a QR code — in the browser of any device on the same Wi-Fi. Nothing needs to be installed on the other device.
Can I upload files from a computer to the phone?
Yes. Turn on “Allow uploads” and drop files into a shared folder from the browser. Each shared folder has its own read/write switch, and existing files are never overwritten — duplicates are saved as “name (1)”, “name (2)” and so on.
Can I host a static website from the phone?
Yes. Mark the site’s folder as the root folder and turn on index.html serving: the site is then served as-is at “/” to every browser on your local network.
Can I protect it with a password or HTTPS?
Both. Digest Authentication asks for a user name and password (with curl, add --digest -u user:pass), and HTTPS encrypts the connection with a self-signed certificate generated on the device, which you verify by its SHA-256 fingerprint. Only self-signed certificates are supported.
Is the server reachable from the internet?
No. It serves your local network only. By default it listens on Wi-Fi only, so it stays off the cellular interface; you can also choose all networks or localhost only.
Can I download a whole folder at once?
Yes. Every folder page has a “Download this folder as ZIP” link that includes its sub-folders. It can be turned off in the settings.