Show HN: a 1MB iOS App: Background HTTP/WebDAV Servers, CrossPlatform File Share
I wrote a minimal iOS app called PocketServer (~1MB in download size) that creates persistent local HTTP/WebDAV servers which can actually run in the background.
Functionalities:
- Serve a folder via WebDAV — browse/add/delete files from others devices on the same network.
- Host a static website or directory listing, accessible locally.
- Share files cross-platform on the same network, no app needed on the receiving side.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocketserver-local-server/id67...
There are already iOS apps for cross-platform file sharing, local HTTP servers, the reason I wrote PocketServer:
- A lightweight app you can download even on slow connections (1MB is 2 minutes on 2G). Imagine not wanting to use the cloud, but still being asked to download a 50–100MB app just to share a file.
- Background HTTP/WebDAV servers that keep running even when you switch apps.
- Ramen for next month.
How can it stay running in the background? Won't iOS kill the process?
iOS does have some background modes that allow the app to continue running, provided its function is justified.
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/configuring-...