How to access your Network File Shares on Chromebook

These days it’s common to see people having a home media server that is accessible from within the home’s WiFi network or the local access network (LAN). I have my Open Media Vault on an Odroid C2 hooked to a 12TB NAS hard disk that has all my media files, including movies, music, photo shows, and documents. I stream the media using the Plex Media Server on various devices.

If you are in a similar situation as me, you are probably here to know how to connect your Chromebook to your local access network via the wireless connection. Here are the detailed steps:

Accessing the Local Network File Shares on Chromebook

1. Adding SMB protocol

Step 1) Before doing anything, please make sure your Chromebook is connected to the same network that your NAS is connected to. You can connect to your network drive using a wireless connection or by using ethernet cable via LAN.

Step 2) Launch Settings by clicking on the System Tray.

Launch Chrome OS Settings

Step 3) On the left pane, click on Advanced.

Advanced Settings

Step 4)  Click on Files and then Network file shares.

Settings – Files

Step 5) Click on the Add file shares button.

Settings – Files – Add File Share

Step 6) Chrome OS will automatically scan the local network for any SMB drives, and in a minute, you should be able to select it. For example, in my case, it’s called MediaShare. If you are not able to see your network files, double-check if your Chromebook and the network files are on the same network. Click on the Add button, and you should be done.

Adding Network Shares

Step 7) Finally, head over to Files from the Launcher menu. You should see the SMB file shares listed on the left pane.

Network Drives

2. Adding NFS drives

Step 1) Click on the Launcher, search for Files in the search box, and launch it.

Launch Files

Step 2)  In the top right, click on more icon > Add new service > Install new service.

Install new service

Step 3) Click on INSTALL next to Network File Share for Chrome OS.

Install NFS for Chrome OS

Step 4) Click on Add app.

Step 5) Your NFS should arrive in the Share Path drop-down list. Give it a minute to scan. If your NFS needs a password, check the box My file share needs a password, and then enter the Username and Password. When done, click Mount.

Mount File Share

Step 6) Your NFS drive should be accessible from the Files app.

NFS drive added

That’s all about adding the Network File Shares in Chrome OS. I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.