Connect to WebDAV and import NAS files on iPhone

Before you start

• An authorized WebDAV address, port, base path, and account. Enable the server’s WebDAV service first.
• Network access from the phone. A private LAN address usually needs the appropriate local network; use an administrator-provided address for remote access.
• Prefer HTTPS with a trusted certificate. Do not put real credentials into public examples.

Step by step

1. Confirm server settings

   Get the WebDAV service URL and path, which might be /dav/ or /. Use the real service configuration rather than the NAS administration webpage’s address.

2. Create a WebDAV connection

   Choose WebDAV in the server connection entry point and enter address, port, base path, and account. Match the server’s HTTP or HTTPS setting, preferably HTTPS.

3. Test and save

   Run Test Connection and save after success. Check networking and paths before credentials and certificates when troubleshooting.

4. Browse and import

   Browse directories your account can read. Open or import files into the internal file space. Wait for large downloads to finish and verify the local copy opens.

5. Edit the local copy

   Edit supported imported files and save to the intended local destination. Updating the server original requires a separate supported upload workflow and verification on the server.

Protocol    WebDAV / HTTPS
Server      files.example.com
Port        443
Base path   /dav/
Username    Your account

Scope and limitations

• PatchDoc’s WebDAV and FTP client connections provide read-only browsing and import, rather than the direct save-back available with SFTP.
• Import does not establish two-way synchronization or automatically upload later local edits. The remote original and imported file are separate.
• Connecting to an external WebDAV service is distinct from running PatchDoc’s internal-space WebDAV sharing server.

Troubleshooting

The connection times out

Check the phone’s network, server service, and port reachability. Private LAN addresses are usually not directly reachable from the public internet.

Access is denied with the right password

Check for app-specific password requirements, the correct base path, and read permission on the intended folder.

HTTPS certificate errors occur

Check hostname, expiration, and the server certificate chain. Prefer fixing server configuration; handle self-signed certificates only after independently checking server identity.

Common questions

Does saving an imported file update the NAS original?

No automatic update occurs. WebDAV import creates a local copy; changing the remote original needs a separate upload workflow.

How can I edit and save directly to the server?

If the server supports it, use PatchDoc’s SFTP remote editing workflow with write permission. Its save behavior differs from WebDAV import.