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Wojciech Lepczyński
Wojciech Lepczyński

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Turn Your Wi-Fi Router and a USB Stick into a NAS

#network #diy #nas #beginners

You don’t need expensive hardware to have your own network storage.
In fact, you can build a simple NAS (Network Attached Storage) with just a Wi-Fi router and a regular USB stick you probably have lying around.

And here’s the best part: in my latest YouTube video, I show the entire process plus an extra crazy trick where I turn an old Android phone into a fully functional file server.

What You’ll Need

  • A Wi-Fi router with a USB port (check your model’s manual or the sticker on the back).

  • A USB stick or an external USB hard drive.

  • Access to your router’s configuration page (via a web browser).

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Plug the USB Stick into Your Router
    Locate the USB port on your router — it’s usually on the back.
    Insert your USB stick (or an external HDD) into it.
    Note: If you want to connect a hard drive, make sure you have enough power to power it, otherwise you will probably need to use an additional power supply or a USB HUB.

  2. Access the Router’s Control Panel
    On your computer, open a web browser and type your router’s IP address.
    This is often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (check your router’s label).
    Log in with your admin username and password.

  3. Enable the NAS/File Sharing Feature
    Every router is different, but look for settings called:

    • USB Storage
    • File Sharing
    • Samba/SMB
    • FTP Server

    Enable the feature, and if possible, set a username and password for security.

  4. Connect from Your Devices
    Once enabled, your USB stick will appear as a network drive on devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    On Windows, open File Explorer and type Your router's IP address and the name of the shared resource

NAS from USB and router

Why This Works

Many modern routers include a small file-sharing server built-in.
By using this feature, your USB stick becomes shared storage that’s always available to anyone on your home network — just like a traditional NAS.

Want More Crazy Storage Hacks?

If you think this is cool, you’ll love the bonus in my YouTube video where I also turn an old Android phone into a network file server no extra PC needed.
Watch the full process here: NAS From Trash: Phone & USB stick as file server.

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