Hi, today you will learn how to set up an FTP server on any Raspberry Pi and use it with HomeStash to sync pictures and videos from your phone. Let’s get to work!

Vsftpd setup on the Raspberry Pi

Installation

Firstly, we’ll have to install vsftpd. Vsftpd is an Open Source FTP server that our RPi will host.

Open a terminal, connect to your Raspberry Pi using SSH and enter the following command:

sudo apt install vsftpd

Configuration

Now, we’ll have to tweak the configuration file for security reasons using nano or any text editor.

sudo nano /etc/vsftpd.conf

Find and update the following flags:

write_enable=YES
local_umask=022
chroot_local_user=YES
anonymous_enable=NO

Some of them are commented. Just uncomment.

Add the following lines at the end of the file:

user_sub_token=$USER
local_root=/home/$USER/FTP

Press CTRL + X to save the file and confirm with Y to exit.

Create FTP directory

Create an FTP directory if needed or use an existing one.

Existing one

If you already use external storage or want other path, just change the local_root variable in the previous configuration file and skip the data-dir creation step.

New one

mkdir -p /home/$USER/FTP/homestash/

And make the FTP directory non-writable.

chmod 555 /home/$USER/FTP

We’ll use the homestash directory for our phone camera uploads.

500 OOPS: writable root inside chroot

If you are getting Error message "500 OOPS: vsftpd: refusing to run with writable root inside chroot() on your connection, it is because your local_root is writable. Follow the steps above to make it readable and use a sub-directory for uploads. Another solution is to allow the writable root on vsftpd by adding the next line to the configuration file:

allow_writeable_chroot=YES

Restart the vsftpd daemon

Apply all current changes by restarting the daemon.

sudo service vsftpd restart

Now the FTP server is up and running on your Raspberry Pi.

HomeStash

Secondly, HomeStash will be required. The app will automatically sync your pictures and videos between your smartphone and Raspberry Pi through the FTP server already made.

Install the mobile app on your phone (Android/ iOS). Open it and skip directly to the FTP configuration step. Here, add your FTP details.

FTP connection

Use your RPi IP address as FTP host, the default 21 as a port, and your Raspberry Pi login credentials for FTP Username and Password. Now click Connect.

A folder structure will appear with our homestash directory. Click on it and select Choose current directory. If you have carefully followed the tutorial, you’ll have to choose which albums to backup as the final step.

Now, everything is set up and your files will automatically start to back up to the FTP server hosted on the Raspberry Pi.