Using a Toshiba Flashair SD card. April 11, 2017 October 1, 2017 Matt. A few weeks ago I purchased this SD card on eBay. It’s a Toshiba Flashair card that allows you to connect to it over wifi and transfer files without having to insert it in the device that you’re transferring from. In the 3D printing community, the Flashair cards are.
This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.
Description
With the FlashAir™ App for iOS, you can quickly and easily download and share all the images and documents on your wireless FlashAir™ SDHC / SDXC memory card.
3 browsing modes
- Photo/Movie view shows thumbnails of photos and movies in a single scrollable grid.
- Music view shows music files in a single scrollable list.
- Folder view shows any files within each folder.
Download and share
- Save your files to your iOS device.
- The app will download photos and videos from the FlashAir W-04 card automatically based on your setting.
- Share your files via E-mail/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram. *Note: You need an internet connection.
Configurations
- PhotoShare
- Automatic detection of adding or updating files on FlashAir
- Display settings of photos/videos
- Auto save of photos/videos
- Save photos/videos to album
- Convert RAW files to JPEG
- Configuring SSID and security key(password) of the FlashAir™ card.
- Configuring SSID and security key(password) for internet pass thru mode.
- Timeout
- Administration password (MASTERCODE)
- Eyefi Connected setting
- Cellular Data + Wi-Fi Mode
[Important notes]
This application is compatible iOS 8 - iOS 12 devices.
Toshiba Memory Corporation may modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Services or Materials, or any portion thereof, with or without notice
This application may be terminated its service or functions without former notice.
THIS APPLICATION IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS “BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EITHER IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS. TOSHIBA WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS APPLICATION.
3 browsing modes
- Photo/Movie view shows thumbnails of photos and movies in a single scrollable grid.
- Music view shows music files in a single scrollable list.
- Folder view shows any files within each folder.
Download and share
- Save your files to your iOS device.
- The app will download photos and videos from the FlashAir W-04 card automatically based on your setting.
- Share your files via E-mail/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram. *Note: You need an internet connection.
Configurations
- PhotoShare
- Automatic detection of adding or updating files on FlashAir
- Display settings of photos/videos
- Auto save of photos/videos
- Save photos/videos to album
- Convert RAW files to JPEG
- Configuring SSID and security key(password) of the FlashAir™ card.
- Configuring SSID and security key(password) for internet pass thru mode.
- Timeout
- Administration password (MASTERCODE)
- Eyefi Connected setting
- Cellular Data + Wi-Fi Mode
[Important notes]
This application is compatible iOS 8 - iOS 12 devices.
Toshiba Memory Corporation may modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Services or Materials, or any portion thereof, with or without notice
This application may be terminated its service or functions without former notice.
THIS APPLICATION IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS “BASIS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EITHER IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS. TOSHIBA WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS APPLICATION.
What’s New
Ratings and Reviews
49 Ratings
Inconsistent, but when it works I like it
Got the memory card as a present. You need to keep the memory card active or else the connection is lost, so I have to passively scroll through photos on the camera while the app is downloading other pictures. If I do that, it usually works. Overall, not as useful as it could be, but it can get the job done.
Like it, but connection often drops
My daughter had a softball tournament this weekend. A couple of weeks ago, my husband got me a new canon rebel EF5 camera. So i've been playing alot with it to say the least!!! I have been uploading photos, but lately the connection has been dropping and the app kicks me out. Very frustrating if u are uploading a bunch of photos. I tried restarting my phone completely, and even downloading smaller bunches (20-30 photos) at a time, but no dice. Please look into fixing this!!! ?
Doesn't work in background
I moved from the Eye-Fi to the FlashAir and I'm liking it so far except for one main issue, the app doesn't work when in the background. If you're downloading images and leave the app to do something else, the app stops transferring photos. Super annoying and means you can't use your phone at all while downloading photos.
Information
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish
Family Sharing
With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.
So far, the FlashAir 4th gen card works great in my Canon 5D Mark III. I’m very happy with it as long as it continues to work as it does now.
Yes, there are no printed instructions in the package (I noticed a review complaining of that before I ordered it). Download the Toshiba FlashAir app from the Apple App Store. It gives you concise and very easy to follow instructions in the app as soon as you open it. If you read the Help in that app, it states “The app has been designed so that it should be usable without reading a manual, but this page covers all the features of the app should you need it.”
Yes, the listing says “OEM package” (I saw a review questioning the legitimacy of the packaging). I received the card in a clear snap case, inside a clear zip lock bag, which was inside a white cardboard box, all of which came in a bubble mailer. Would I call that an OEM pack? In my experience, this is typical of OEM packaging. It’s definitely not a retail pack but the listing didn’t say that.
I’ve had zero issues with connecting to the card. You need to remember one important aspect. If you have a power save or auto off function on your camera, you need to either 1) disable it completely and remember to turn your camera off, 2) make it long enough for your WiFi transfers to complete, or 3) keep hitting a button on your camera while downloading pictures so it won’t turn off. If the camera shuts off, the power to the WiFi card is cut and you’re done. I believe many negative reviews may be due to folks not realizing this is happening. The WiFi card does not keep the camera on.
In regards to your phone or tablet connecting to the WiFi signal, you need to select the Toshiba FlashAir in your WiFi network settings. If your device is already connected to a different WiFi network, it isn’t going to drop it and switch to this one by itself. The devices (iPhone, iPad, etc) are designed to hang onto a WiFi network as long as it is still serviceable. So *you* need to tell your device to switch to it. The only time it’s going to automatically connect is if you aren’t already on a WiFi network.
All in all, I cannot think of anything negative to say about the WiFi card. I am duly impressed and very happy I purchased it. As long as it continues to be reliable, I am very happy with this purchase.
February 17, 2018 update: I ran into an issue with the WiFi card today and, after some research, determined it to be my fault. Based on my reading of other reviews when purchasing this card, I think others are doing the same thing I did and not realizing what they have done to the FlashAir card. I am in the habit of formatting my cards once I've downloaded the pictures to my PC. I've now learned that formatting the card, whether in the camera or any device you use, removes the configuration file for the card WiFi. The symptom I experienced is your device will usually see the FlashAir WiFi signal but will not be able to connect to it. It either just sits there with the spinning snowflake (on my iPhone) or it says the password is incorrect. I experienced both symptoms. Once I determined what I had done wrong, it did take some effort to repair the configuration file on the card. The only way I'm aware of doing this repair is with the Toshiba FlashAir Tool, although one should be able to repair the configuration manually (you have to know what to put in the config file). However, for the W-04 card you *need* the 400b version of the tool, *not* 303a. I found version 400b located on Toshiba's website at http://www.toshiba-personalstorage.net/support/download/flashair/software/we/software02.htm. This webpage is in Japanese but it does link to the newest version of the tool (it does say 'Windows' in English next to the link). I recommend you look at an English webpage located here: https://www.toshiba.co.jp/p-media/english/download/wl/software02.htm (this second link does *not* have the newest version of the tool linked, it links to 303b). Use this English page *only* to help you find the correct place to click in the Japanese page. When you download that FlashAir Tool version 400b, it will ask you what language and you can install it in English. You just have to get through the Japanese webpage I linked above to get the tool. No big deal. Once you do that, use the tool to reinitialize your card. Fixed...and don't format it again! :)
I'll stick by my 5 star review. However, it sure would have been nice to have a little note saying 'don't format this card!'. Erase the pictures when you're finished but don't format! If either Toshiba or the vendor had done this, I think the negative reviews maybe would not be here.
Yes, there are no printed instructions in the package (I noticed a review complaining of that before I ordered it). Download the Toshiba FlashAir app from the Apple App Store. It gives you concise and very easy to follow instructions in the app as soon as you open it. If you read the Help in that app, it states “The app has been designed so that it should be usable without reading a manual, but this page covers all the features of the app should you need it.”
Yes, the listing says “OEM package” (I saw a review questioning the legitimacy of the packaging). I received the card in a clear snap case, inside a clear zip lock bag, which was inside a white cardboard box, all of which came in a bubble mailer. Would I call that an OEM pack? In my experience, this is typical of OEM packaging. It’s definitely not a retail pack but the listing didn’t say that.
I’ve had zero issues with connecting to the card. You need to remember one important aspect. If you have a power save or auto off function on your camera, you need to either 1) disable it completely and remember to turn your camera off, 2) make it long enough for your WiFi transfers to complete, or 3) keep hitting a button on your camera while downloading pictures so it won’t turn off. If the camera shuts off, the power to the WiFi card is cut and you’re done. I believe many negative reviews may be due to folks not realizing this is happening. The WiFi card does not keep the camera on.
In regards to your phone or tablet connecting to the WiFi signal, you need to select the Toshiba FlashAir in your WiFi network settings. If your device is already connected to a different WiFi network, it isn’t going to drop it and switch to this one by itself. The devices (iPhone, iPad, etc) are designed to hang onto a WiFi network as long as it is still serviceable. So *you* need to tell your device to switch to it. The only time it’s going to automatically connect is if you aren’t already on a WiFi network.
All in all, I cannot think of anything negative to say about the WiFi card. I am duly impressed and very happy I purchased it. As long as it continues to be reliable, I am very happy with this purchase.
February 17, 2018 update: I ran into an issue with the WiFi card today and, after some research, determined it to be my fault. Based on my reading of other reviews when purchasing this card, I think others are doing the same thing I did and not realizing what they have done to the FlashAir card. I am in the habit of formatting my cards once I've downloaded the pictures to my PC. I've now learned that formatting the card, whether in the camera or any device you use, removes the configuration file for the card WiFi. The symptom I experienced is your device will usually see the FlashAir WiFi signal but will not be able to connect to it. It either just sits there with the spinning snowflake (on my iPhone) or it says the password is incorrect. I experienced both symptoms. Once I determined what I had done wrong, it did take some effort to repair the configuration file on the card. The only way I'm aware of doing this repair is with the Toshiba FlashAir Tool, although one should be able to repair the configuration manually (you have to know what to put in the config file). However, for the W-04 card you *need* the 400b version of the tool, *not* 303a. I found version 400b located on Toshiba's website at http://www.toshiba-personalstorage.net/support/download/flashair/software/we/software02.htm. This webpage is in Japanese but it does link to the newest version of the tool (it does say 'Windows' in English next to the link). I recommend you look at an English webpage located here: https://www.toshiba.co.jp/p-media/english/download/wl/software02.htm (this second link does *not* have the newest version of the tool linked, it links to 303b). Use this English page *only* to help you find the correct place to click in the Japanese page. When you download that FlashAir Tool version 400b, it will ask you what language and you can install it in English. You just have to get through the Japanese webpage I linked above to get the tool. No big deal. Once you do that, use the tool to reinitialize your card. Fixed...and don't format it again! :)
I'll stick by my 5 star review. However, it sure would have been nice to have a little note saying 'don't format this card!'. Erase the pictures when you're finished but don't format! If either Toshiba or the vendor had done this, I think the negative reviews maybe would not be here.