Android application to download pre defined files over WiFi automatically

Question

I need to download various files for my desktop over college WiFi using my android phone, but I need this to be done automatically.

So, for example, I would have a text file with links on each line. I would import this text file to the app. When I later connect to WiFi, this app will start to download these files one by one.

Compulsory features:

• Should be able to receive links somehow beforehand.
• Should download files only over WiFi, not 3g/gprs.
• Should work on android 4.0+

Important features:

• Should be able to accept links in a bunch, preferably in text format.

Other features:

• Preference to free app.

• Should not have limit on number of links.

Answer 1

Whenever it comes to automation, first thing coming to mind is Tasker: over at Android.SE we sometimes think this app is the answer to every second question. I'm a Tasker user myself, so I can say from my own experience it's a very powerful tool.

I'm not using it for anything like what you've defined, but from the features available I know it's capable of this. You'll have to invest some time to build a corresponding profile, but I'll give you a raw idea/concept here. Tasker executes "tasks" on "conditions", so you can think of it as "whenever [condition] is met, [task] will be executed". So let's go for a "pseudo-code" example:

• Conditions:
  • WiFi connected (parameter: your WiFi's SSID)
  • File exists (your input file)
• Task:
  • Change to target directory
  • Read the file line by line. For each $line: HTTP_GET $line
  • Delete/rename (your input file – to avoid it being processed in an endless loop)

How it meets your requirements:

• Should be able to receive links somehow beforehand: Yes
• Should download files only over WiFi, not 3g/gprs: Yes (configurable, so you also could do it the other way around ;)
• Should work on android 4.0+: Yes (I use it a.o. on 4.0)
• Should be able to accept links in a bunch, preferably in text format: Yes, can process a file line-by-line as outlined
• Should not have limit on number of links: I'm not aware of any. Though size of the input file might matter :)
• Preference to free app: Unfortunately not. But there's a free 7-day trial available on their homepage. Trial period can be extended in 7-day-intervals with a trick, though: Export the configuration, uninstall the app, re-install the app, import configuration (this hint comes from the developer himself, so I freely mention it here).

To give you some visual, here are some screenshots:

^{Some screenshots to demonstrate the powers of Tasker (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)}

Tasker can be very complex, though – that comes with its powers. To lookup its possibilities, there's a User Guide available. The Tasker Wiki also has useful resources, like a walk-through to get a first feeling, or example profiles created by other users.

Answer 2

Several good answers to this Android Stack Exchange question I especially like FolderSync which seems like it could answer most if not all of your requirements. There is a lot more detail in the answer referenced.

To quote the web site:

FolderSync is a application that enables simple sync to cloud based storage to and from local folders on the device memory card. It currently support multiple OneDrive, Copy.com, Dropbox, Dump Truck, SugarSync, Bitcasa, Ubuntu One, Box.net, LiveDrive, HiDrive, Google Docs, NetDocuments, Amazon S3, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV or windows share (Samba/CIFS) accounts, and support for more platforms are planned. Read-only access to protected file-system also supported - requires root.

And the answer:

Then either chose for some "auto-check" (e.g. have it synced every night), or push the button manually. Using the paid version, you could even bring in tasker – which is what I do: "Every night at 3am, when connected to any power source and to MY_WIFI network → Sync all my backups, photos, whatsnots" :)