Cloud storage Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage is becoming increasingly popular among Android users due to the combination of low prices, high speed and no restrictions on the amount of data. However, the service does not have an official mobile application for Android this creates difficulties for beginners. In this article we will look all working methods of connecting Wasabi to a smartphonefrom manual setup via WebDAV to using third-party file managers.
It is important to understand that the installation method depends on your tasks: whether you need automatic photo synchronization, document backup, or just access to files on request. We tested each method on devices with Android 10โ14 and identified the pros/cons of each. If you have previously used Amazon S3 or Backblaze B2, the process will seem familiar - Wasabi uses a similar S3 protocol, but with simplified pricing.
Before you begin, make sure that you have is:
- ๐ Account in Wasabi (registration is free, the first 14 days are a trial period)
- ๐ฑ Smartphone on Android 8.0+ (some applications may not work on older versions)
- ๐ Stable Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi, since data transfer can take a lot of traffic)
- ๐ Battery charge is at least 50% (long synchronization operations drain the battery)
1. Method: Connect through a file manager (simple and fast)
The most accessible method is to use third-party file managers that support the protocol WebDAV or S3. We recommend Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer for their reliability and extensive customization options. These applications allow you to mount Wasabi as a network drive and work with files directly on your smartphone.
Step-by-step guide for Solid Explorer:
- Install Solid Explorer from Google Play and open it.
- Tap on the icon
โฎ(three dots) in the upper right corner โ selectAdd cloud. - In the list, scroll to
WebDAVorAmazon S3(both options work s Wasabi). - For
WebDAVenter:
Note:Server: https://s3.wasabisys.com/{your-bucket-name}Login: your_access_key
Password: your_secret_key{your-bucket-name}is the name of your storage in Wasabithat you created in your personal account. - For
Amazon S3use the settings:Endpoint: s3.wasabisys.comAccess Key: your_access_key
Secret Key: your_secret_key
Bucket: the name of your bucket - Click
Connectand wait for synchronization.
After connecting, the folder Wasabi will appear in the Network or Clouds section of your file manager. You can now upload, download and edit files directly. Please note that with a large number of files, the first synchronization may take several minutes this is normal.
Make sure that the Wasabi bucket is created and accessible to read/write|
Endpoint entered correctly (s3.wasabisys.com, not s3.amazonaws.com)|
Disable VPN (it can block the connection)|
Check the remaining storage space (in your personal account Wasabi)
-->
If a "403 Forbidden" error occurs when connecting, check the bucket permissions in the Wasabi console. Often the problem is solved by adding a policy for your user. GetObject And PutObject for your user.
2. Method: Automatic synchronization via Rclone (for advanced)
Rclone is a console utility for synchronizing files with cloud storages, including Wasabi. it requires some technical skills but provides maximum control over the process. For example, you can set automatic photo backup on a schedule or synchronize only certain folders.
Installation and configuration Rclone on Android:
- Install Termux from F-Droid (version from Google Play is outdated and does not support all commands).
- In Termux execute the commands in order:
pkg update && pkg upgradepkg install rclone
rclone config - When setting up, select
n) New remote, then specify:name> wasabiStorage> 5 / Amazon S3
env_auth> false
access_key_id> your_access_key
secret_access_key> your_secret_key
region> us-east-1 (or another region of your bucket)
endpoint> s3.wasabisys.com
location_constraint> leave empty
acl> private
storage_class> STANDARD - Check the connection with the command:
rclone lsd wasabi:If everything is configured That's right, you will see a list of your buckets.
Now you can use Rclone to synchronize. For example, to copy all photos from a folder DCIM to Wasabi, do:
rclone copy /sdcard/DCIM wasabi:my-backup-photos -P
Method advantages:
- ๐ Full automation (can be configured via
cronto Termux) - ๐ Selective folder synchronization
- ๐ Encrypting data before downloading
How to set up automatic backup
1. Install the package in Termux termux-job-scheduler:
pkg install termux-job-scheduler
2. Create a task for daily backup. copying:
termux-job-scheduler --period-ms 86400000 --command'rclone sync /sdcard/DCIM wasabi:daily-photos-backup'
3. Check the list of tasks:
termux-job-scheduler --list
Rclone is the only way to configure delta synchronization (downloading only changed files) on Android, which saves traffic and time.
3. Method: Through backup applications (for beginners)
If the first two methods seemed complicated, you can use specialized backup applications that support Wasabi via S3-compatible protocolsFor example, FolderSync or SyncBackPro (paid, but with a free trial period). These apps offer an intuitive interface and do not require knowledge of commands.
Instructions for FolderSync:
- Install FolderSync from Google Play and open it.
- Tap
+in the lower right corner โ selectCloud storageโAmazon S3. - Fill in fields:
Display name: Wasabi BackupAuthentication type: KeysAccess keyandSecret key: your keys from WasabiEndpoint:https://s3.wasabisys.comBucket: the name of your bucket
Save and check the connection.- Source: folder on the phone (for example,
DCIM/Camera) - Destination: your Wasabi bucket
- Mode:
SynchronizeorCopy
Advantages of this method:
- ๐ฑ Simple interface without command line lines
- ๐ Ability to configure backup schedule
- ๐ Visualization of the synchronization process
Cons:
- ๐ฐ Paid license after trial period
- ๐ข Slower than Rclonewith a large number of files
You can configure FolderSync can be customized conditional synchronization for example, download only files older than 30 days to save space on your phone. Wasabi only files older than 30 days to save space on your phone.
4. Solving common connection errors
Even with proper configuration, errors may occur. We have collected top 5 problems and ways to solve them:
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
403 Access Denied |
Incorrect access rights to the bucket or keys |
|
503 Slow Down |
The request limit has been exceeded (Wasabi limits 100 requests per second) | Wait 5-10 minutes or reduce the number of simultaneously downloaded files. |
Connection timed out |
Problems with the network or blocking by the provider |
|
No such bucket |
There is a typo in the bucket name or it has not been created | Check the bucket name in the console Wasabi (case matters!). |
InvalidAccessKeyId |
Invalid access_key or region |
Generate new keys in Wasabi Console and specify the correct region (for example, us-east-1). |
Important: if you use two-factor authentication (2FA) in your Wasabi account, some applications may require the creation of a special "application-specific" password instead of the standard secret_key. This feature is available in the Security Credentials section of your profile.
If the error persists, try connecting through another file manager (for example, Total Commander with a plugin WebDAV). Sometimes the problem lies in a specific application, and not in the settings Wasabi.
5. Android
After a successful connection, it is worth setting up several parameters to increasing speed and saving traffic:
- ๐ถ Limit background synchronization: in settings Android disable automatic downloading files while roaming (
Settings โ Data transfer โ Roaming). - โก Use compression: in Rclone add a flag
--fast-listto speed up the file list:rclone --fast-list copy /path wasabi:bucket - ๐ Configure caching: in Solid Explorer enable the option
Cache filesfor frequently used folders. - ๐ Encrypt sensitive data: in Rclone you can encrypt files before downloading with the command:
rclone cryptcheck wasabi:bucket /path/to/local/folder
For automatically uploading photos we recommend using a combination of FolderSync + Tasker:
- B FolderSync set up the task to copy the folder
DCIMto Wasabi. - B Tasker create a profile that launches FolderSync when connected to Wi-Fi.
This will allow save mobile traffic to download files only if there is a stable connection.
For maximum speed, choose region Wasabiclosest to your location. For example, for users from Europe it is optimal eu-central-1, and for Russia - us-east-1 (despite the name, the ping is often better than to European servers).
6. Alternative applications for working with Wasabi
If standard methods are not suitable, consider specialized applications:
| Application | Wasabi Support | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Duck | Yes (via S3) | Mounts Wasabi as a local disk, supports WebDAV |
Paid (free trial period) |
| Cyberduck | Yes (via S3) | Open source, works with Cryptomator for encryption | Free |
| ExpanDrive | Yes (via S3) | Integration with Android Files, supports SFTP |
Paid |
| RaiDrive | Partially (requires manual configuration) | Supports WebDAV, but there is no official client for Android |
Free |
For advanced users an interesting option would be Syncthing + Rclone:
- Set up Syncthing on Android to synchronize folders between devices.
- On the server (or other device), configure Rclone to automatically download data from Syncthing to Wasabi.
This scheme allows avoid direct downloading from the phone and reduce load on the battery.
If you often work with large files (videos, backups), consider renting VPS (for example, on DigitalOcean) and settings on it Rclone for intermediate synchronization. This will speed up the process and reduce the load on the phone.
7. Security: how to protect data in Wasabi
Storing data in the cloud is always associated with risks. Follow these recommendations to minimize threats: do not use the same one:
- ๐ Use unique access keys: don't use the same one
access_keyfor several services. Generate a separate key for Androidapplications in the console Wasabi. - ๐ Enable versioning: in the bucket settings, activate the option
Versioningto restore deleted or changed files. - ๐ Set up MFA: enable two-factor authentication in your account Wasabi (section
Security Credentials). - ๐ Encrypt sensitive data: use Cryptomator or Rclone Crypt to encrypt files before downloading.
For additional protection can be configured access policies (IAM) in Wasabi:
- Go to
Identity and Access Management (IAM). - Create a new policy with minimal rights (for example, only
PutObjectandGetObjectfor a specific bucket). - Bind the policy to the user whose keys are used on Android.
Critical information: by default, all new buckets in Wasabi have public access a direct link. To fix this, go to the bucket settings and disable the option Block Public Access (or configure Bucket Policy to explicitly disable public access).
How to check if your files are public
1. Upload the test file to the bucket.
2. Try opening it using a link like:
https://s3.wasabisys.com/{bucket-name}/{file-name}
3. If the file is opened without authorization, the access is public. Fix this in the bucket settings!
8. Comparison of Wasabi with other cloud storage for Android
Before you finally choose Wasabicompare it with alternatives:
| Service | Cost (per 1 TB) | Speed (download) | Mobile application | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasabi | $5.99/month | High (up to 1 Gbit/s) | No (requires configuration) | No restrictions on data volume, no fees for outgoing traffic |
| Backblaze B2 | $5/TB/month + $0.01/GB download | Average | Yes (limited functionality) | Download fee data, complex tariffing |
| Amazon S3 | $23/TB/month (Standard) | High | No (requires configuration) | Many regions, but expensive for large volumes |
| Google Drive | $9.99/month (2 TB) | Low (API restrictions) | Yes (full) | Ease of use, but restrictions on file types |
When to choose Wasabi:
- ๐พ You need store more than 1 TB data without restrictions.
- ๐ Important high upload/download speed.
- ๐ฐ You want to pay fixed price no hidden fees.
When to consider alternatives:
- ๐ฑ You need ready mobile application no settings.
- ๐ You often share files follow links (in Wasabi this requires manual configuration).
- ๐ณ You need less than 100 GB โ in this case Google Drive or Dropbox may be cheaper.
Wasabi is more profitable Amazon S3 3-4 times when storing large amounts of data, but loses in convenience for mobile users. If you need simplicity, consider Google Drive or pCloud.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about installing Wasabi on Android
โ Can Wasabi be used to automatically backup SMS and contacts?
Yes, but not directly. You will need to:
- Export contacts/SMS to a file (for example, via Swift Backup).
- Configure FolderSync or Rclone to download these files to Wasabi.
To restore, you will have to manually download the files and import them back.
โ Why is Wasabi slow on the mobile data?
This is due to:
- ISP restrictions (some operators slow down traffic to cloud services).
- High ping to servers Wasabi (try changing the bucket region).
- Low mobile network bandwidth (switch to Wi-Fi).
Solution: use Rclone s option --transfers=2 to reduce the load:
rclone --transfers=2 copy /path wasabi:bucket
โ Is it possible to configure Wasabi as a network drive in Android?
There is no full mounting as in Windows on Android no, but there are workarounds paths:
- Use Mountain Duck or ExpanDrive (paid solutions).
- In Solid Explorer add Wasabi as
WebDAV-storage - this will give a similar effect.
Please note that "network drives" on Android work slower than on a PC due to OS limitations.
โ How to reduce battery consumption when synchronizing with Wasabi?
Follow these tips:
- Set up synchronization only by Wi-Fi (in FolderSync or Tasker).
- Limit background application activity in settings Android (
Settings โ Applications โ Special access โ Battery optimization). - Use Rclone with the option
--bwlimitto limit speed:
rclone --bwlimit 1M copy /path wasabi:bucket
โ What to do if Wasabi stopped connecting after updating Android?
OS updates may reset network settings or limit background activity. Check:
- Application permissions (storage and Internet access).
- Traffic saving settings (
Settings โ Network and Internet โ Traffic saving). - Relevance of access keys (sometimes they are reset when you change the security settings in Wasabi).
If the problem persists, try re-creating the connection with zero.
Now you know all the connection methods Wasabi to Android and you can choose the most suitable one for your tasks. Finally, let us remind you: regularly check the synchronization logs (in Rclone or FolderSync) to notice errors in time, and do not store the only copy of important data only in the cloud - use the rule 3-2-1 (3 copies, 2 media, 1 cloud).