Accessing WD My Cloud using the Fire HD 8 Part 1

The My Cloud app is listed on the Amazon app store, but surprisingly isnt available for the latest version of the Amazon Fire HD 8. Obviously, experienced users can sideload apps that can access networked shares and process streamed content from the WD My Cloud. Moreover, users can easily install the excellent Kodi for Android for additional functionality and multimedia support.

Note: For those not familiar with MyClouds backend, shares are set up using SMB and media streaming is performed using Twonky, which can be accessed by any DLNA/UPnP player.

If sideloading apps or Kodi isnt your thing, you can use two popular and reliable apps available from Amazon Underground and app store: File Commander and VLC for Fire.

Note: This article was tested on an Amazon Fire HD 8 (2016) and a WD My Cloud 3 TB.

File Commander on the Fire HD 8 

File Commander is "actually free" from Amazon Underground and users can take comfort in knowing that File Commander is also preinstalled in Sony Xperia devices. The version available from Amazon, unlike the app found in Xperia devices, has full functionality. However, it triggers full page Amazon ads whenever you launch it. This isnt as annoying as it sounds, since the UI is free from distracting banners unlike other apps from Amazon Underground.

To access files on the My Cloud using File Commander, tap the Menu button, and then click Local network. You can decide to allow File Commander to detect the shares by clicking the Refresh button, but in most cases, it detects any other shared resource on the Wi-Fi network (and even outside the network), which causes the app to either crash or list several dozen network nod es.

A better option is to add the WD My Cloud as an accessible network resource. To add the My Cloud to File Commander:

1. Tap Options > Local Network.
2. Tap the Options button > Add.
3. Enter the Server, User, and Password for the My Cloud device. Tap OK.

Once File Commander accesses the My Cloud, you can browse the folders and open files. The default app launches if you tap a supported file format.

Continued in Accessing WD My Cloud using the Fire HD 8 Part 2