Can't connect to FTP server when I'm connected via hotspot

I need to connect to my webserver via FTP from my MacOS (13.4.1). When I'm connected via home internet provider, everything is OK. But when I connect via hotspot from my iPhone (iOS 17), I can't connect to FTP. The error message is "Connection timeout". The Internet in web browser is working perfectly, but FTP connection doesn't work. I tried several FTP clients (Filezilla, Forklift, ...), but still the same problem. 

 

A few weeks ago, I used this FTP clients without any problem with hotspot, so maybe it could be related with iOS 17 update. 

 

Has anyone same problem? Is there any possibility to analyze network settings to find out where could be the problem? I tried to switch off the Firewall on MacOS, but no change...

 

Thanks.

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 4:30 AM

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62 replies

Sep 25, 2023 9:46 AM in response to lvieira01

I spent the majority of my day on the phone yesterday with AppleCare support, and I have come to the conclusion that Apple doesn't care. They were so adamant that there wasn't a problem, and were so adamant on passing the buck to the carrier, the ftp software, anything but admitting that there is an issue. To recap, I have 2 Apple laptops running 2 separate OS systems. Before I upgraded to iOS 17 everything was flawless. After changing to iOS 17, everything went to crap. My computers would connect hardline, or with any wifi, even the free ones at McDonalds without an issue to any ftp site. But the second I try to use my phone's hotspot, it won't connect. Another photographer friend of mine has the exact same issue after updating his phone, so we troubleshooted. I'm on AT&T, he's on Verizon. I use Panic Software's Transmit, he uses FileZilla. He logged into my phone, no connection. I logged into his phone, no connection. Apple Support said to contact the carrier, it must be an issue with them. I did, no problem at all and actually, using my phone and his, I could get on the internet and access email. I just couldn't connect to ANY server. So I called Apple back, told them I spoke with AT&T and there was no issue and gave them the tech support case number from AT&T. So then It magically became an issue with the ftp client. But it is happening on 2 different clients, on 2 different Mac OS's on 2 different carriers. The only common denominator is iOS 17. I truly believe that Apple has a bug in the system, and are doing their best to pass the buck because they don't release faulty operating systems. Well, there are way too many of us having the exact same issue for them to be ignoring it or passing the buck. Come on Apple, there are people that their jobs rely on using their phones as a hotspot to transfer data, and you are letting a lot of people down.

Sep 25, 2023 9:54 AM in response to lvieira01

lvieira01 wrote:

9 in 10 photojournalists uses ftp to transmit their work

That may well be true, but it says the the news agencies or whatever entitities require that are grossly incompetent or even criminally negligent. From the point of view of a server it is perfectly trivial to implement a proper secure protocol; and from the client it is just a matter using sftp:// instead of ftp://


In case people are not aware: ftp sends user names and passwords in plain text. Think about it for a second.

Sep 26, 2023 5:52 AM in response to lvieira01

lvieira01 wrote:

I can't convince my clients to change something they're been using for years without any issues. For what i've been reading last days if Apple doesn't come out with a solution fast, the only way to solve this is downgrading to iOS 16. It's what i'm planning to do.


Maybe not, but you should try. It is your data on(the)line, too. ftp is so unsafe that it's creepy. Ignorance may be a bliss, until it isn't.

Sep 26, 2023 8:41 AM in response to lvieira01

lvieira01 wrote:

I can't convince my clients to change something they're been using for years without any issues. For what i've been reading last days if Apple doesn't come out with a solution fast, the only way to solve this is downgrading to iOS 16. It's what i'm planning to do.


Ask them to post the login credentials on their web site. Seriously. That’s what they are effectively already doing.


Any file server with known credentials too often ends with myriad files on their server that are illegal to even possess, and with the ensuing legal hassles.


If they’re insistent, insert some text in your contract that makes it clear that you’ve warned them and this is their mess, so you are less likely to get blamed for any resulting illegalities.


PS: sftp also avoids ”fun” with firewalls.

Sep 26, 2023 2:18 PM in response to Tomas009

Hello,


another photojournalist here, trying to upload over ftp sharing the internet from my iPhone but it just does not work!!! For me, it used to work, and then stopped before I updated to iOs17. Then I updated thinking it would start working, but nothing. My friend shares connection from his iphone 11 iOs17 and it works? It just does not make any sense. Hope someone finds a solution fast.

Sep 27, 2023 7:39 AM in response to Tomas009

This is definitely something in iOS 17 that is blocking Port 21 for FTP over Hotspot. As others have said - it’s not a Carrier issue!


I can use a VPN on a laptop via hotspot and that worked - but does no good when I’m trying to connect a camera like Nikon Z9, or others.


what’s the best way to file copious amounts of bug reports with Apple?


FTP might be old tech, but it’s still tech we need for photographers.

Can't connect to FTP server when I'm connected via hotspot

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