Basics
What's the difference between the Seagate Wireless Plus for iPad and the Seagate Wireless Plus?
This is the same product. The iPad is a good fit for use with the Seagate Wireless Plus (as are other Apple iOS devices and Android devices), so these words are often found together.
What capacities are available?
Currently, the Seagate Wireless Plus is available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
Compatibility
Can I play files from my Seagate Wireless Plus on my computer?
Yes, for Windows and Mac computers files can be played while the drive is connected with USB or when connected via Wi-Fi (if your computer has wireless capability).
For instructions on how to connect via Wi-Fi and play your media, please see pages 8-9 of the user guide.
Computers with a Linux OS are not supported by Seagate, but as long as your version of Linux has appropriate browser support, media player capability, and wireless connectivity, it should be able to connect and play files. When connecting via USB, the drive may go to sleep and cause errors if Linux does not wait for it to wake up. There is no tool available to disable the sleep feature under Linux.
Can I play files from my Seagate Wireless Plus on my iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch?
Yes. Files can be played via Wi-Fi. Videos in formats that are compatible with iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch can be streamed using the Seagate Media app or an internet browser. Unsupported video formats can be played back using a third party media player of your choice. Also, videos can be converted to a playable format on the computer using a third party application before copying the files to the Seagate Wireless Plus.
For instructions on how to view and play your media, please see pages 7-9 of the user guide.
Can I play files from my Seagate Wireless Plus on my Android phone or tablet?
Yes. Files can be played back via Wi-Fi. Videos in the formats that are compatible with the Android device can be streamed using the Seagate Media app or an internet browser (ex: Webkit). Unsupported video formats can be played back using third party media players of your choice. If all your videos just download instead of playing, try installing a more robust media player app of your choice.
For instructions on how to view and play your media, please see pages 7-9 of the user guide.
Can I use the Seagate Wireless Plus without using the app?
Yes. You can use the Seagate Wireless Plus through your device’s native browser (Safari for iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch or Webkit for Android devices).
For instructions on how to view and play your media, please see pages 8-9 of the user guide.
What operating systems are supported by the Seagate Wireless Plus?
Wi-Fi enabled devices with a web browser, iOS 6.0 or higher, Android 2.3 or higher, or Kindle Fire; Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP, and MacOS 10.6 or higher.
What Seagate Wireless Plus apps are available? Where can I get them?
The Seagate Media app is currently available for:
- iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch at the Apple App store
- Android devices at the Google Play store/Android Marketplace
- Kindle Fire at the Amazon App store
- Windows 8+/Windows RT tablets and computers in the Windows Store
Is my Windows Phone supported with the app?
Windows RT and Windows 8+ tablets and computers are supported with the Seagate Media App, however, Windows Phones are not supported with the Seagate Media app.
Functionality - charging and battery
Will the Seagate Wireless Plus charge while it is connected via USB to my computer? USB 2.0 or 3.0?
Although the Wireless Plus may slowly charge when connected via USB to your computer, Seagate recommends using the wall charger to charge your device properly.
USB 2.0 may not provide enough power to charge the battery, especially while the drive is in use. USB 3.0 is recommended for effective charging when using a computer’s USB ports.
Can I replace the Seagate Wireless Plus battery?
No. The battery is designed to last the life of the product and it is not designed to be replaced by the user.
How long will it take to charge Seagate Wireless Plus?
Estimated time to charge a fully depleted Seagate Wireless Plus is approximately:
- Three hours using the wall charger
- Nine hours using a computer's USB port (when the device is not in use)
USB 2.0 may not provide enough power to charge the battery, especially while the drive is in use. USB 3.0 is recommended for effective charging when using a computer’s USB ports.
Will the Seagate Wireless Plus continue to broadcast when I'm charging it?
Yes. If the Seagate Wireless Plus is powered on, it will continue to be accessible via Wi-Fi. However, it must be charging via the power plug.
If the Seagate Wireless Plus is charging via a computer, the Wi-Fi signal will be turned off. Also, the Seagate Wireless Plus will charge faster when powered off.
Data storage, sync software, and computer usage
Can I use the Seagate Wireless Plus as an external hard drive with both my Mac and PC?
Yes. Like other Seagate Backup Plus and GoFlex drives, the Seagate Wireless Plus comes with a driver called the NTFS driver. This driver enables the MacOS to read and write to the NTFS partition. Windows can read and write to NTFS partitions by default. The NTFS driver can be found preloaded on your device.
How much data can I store on the Seagate Wireless Plus?
The drive is available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, and some of that capacity (about 500MB) is used by the included tutorials, documentation, and software. However, that should leave plenty of room for data.
Do I need to store my content in predefined folders?
You do not need to use the default folders. The Video, Music, and Photo views will find the files even if they are stored in other folders.
Can I use the Seagate Wireless Plus without installing software on my PC or Mac?
For Windows, the Media Sync software is optional and does not need to be installed.
For MacOS, you should install at least the NTFS driver, since it will allow you to read and write to the drive. Also, it will automatically disable the drive sleep feature, which could interfere with some Mac applications.
You can install the NTFS driver by running Mac Installer.dmg which is located in the Seagate folder of the drive.
When asked if you want to use the drive with both Mac and PC, or only with a Mac, select to use it with both, even if you will not use the drive with a PC.
Does the sync software synchronize files from my drive to my computer? (Two way or one-way?)
The Media Sync software will copy files from the computer to the drive. It will not copy files from the drive to the computer.
Can I use special characters in the Seagate Wireless Plus network name (SSID)?
Special characters are not allowed in the network name (SSID).
How long should the password be?
The password must be 8 characters or longer; otherwise, the screen will prompt you to enter a new password.
When I download a file from the Seagate Wireless Plus to my iPad, where is it stored?
It will be stored within the Seagate Media app. The files are not accessible by other iPad apps.
Does the Seagate Wireless Plus stream in high-definition?
It is capable of streaming in high-definition up to 10 megabits per second, but some devices may not support HD formatted videos.
Do I need Internet connection for the Seagate Wireless Plus to work?
No. You do not need Internet connection to be able to access data from the Seagate Wireless Plus. The Seagate Wireless Plus is its own wireless network, so your iOS devices or other Wi-Fi enabled devices can access the Seagate Wireless Plus without Internet access. To be able to surf the web or check your email while connected to the Seagate Wireless Plus, you must connect/reconnect to an existing Wi-Fi network in concurrent mode.
Can I access my content on the Seagate Wireless Plus from Safari? If so, what is different? Are there any limitations?
Safari will not allow you to download your files and does not have access to the files downloaded by the Seagate Media app.
I purchased files on iTunes for use with my iPad. Will they work on the Seagate Wireless Plus?
Movies purchased from iTunes can be streamed to iOS 6 and iOS 7 devices which were authorized from remote storage (the video could be selected in Seagate Media App and would be played in the Safari browser), however in iOS 8 this has stopped working. A bug has been filed with Apple, however this functionality has not been restored. Therefor, DRM protected movies purchased on iTunes can no longer be played on devices running iOS8 or higher.
How many devices can I stream content to from the Seagate Wireless Plus?
With the Seagate Wireless Plus you can stream up to three different HD movies to three devices at the same time, or stream photos, songs, and documents to up to eight devices.
If I lose connection to the Seagate Wireless Plus because I am out of range, will it automatically reconnect when I am back in range?
This depends on the device and the other wireless networks in the area. If your device is set to remember the Seagate Wireless Plus network, then it should re-establish connection with the Seagate Wireless Plus automatically. However, most devices will automatically connect to your normal Wi-Fi network when the Seagate Wireless Plus is powered off or disconnected. The Seagate Wireless Plus has a Wi-Fi range of 150 feet, or 45 meters.
How do I check my firmware version and how can I get the latest firmware updates?
The Seagate Wireless Plus is designed to automatically update to the latest firmware when in concurrent mode. To check your firmware version, open the Seagate Media app or the Seagate Wireless Plus browser interface, then select the Settings > About menu.
Is there password protection or encryption on the Seagate Wireless Plus?
The Seagate Wireless Plus Wi-Fi connection can be protected with a password and WPA-level security. This does not apply to the USB connection, which is not password-protected. Please see page 27 in the Wireless Plus User Guide for instructions on how to set a password.
Can I still surf the Internet on my iPad if it's connected to Seagate Wireless Plus?
Yes. The Seagate Wireless Plus can be connected to the Internet in concurrent mode.
Drive LEDs
What do the LED colors mean?
Disconnected from power source:
Green solid + Blue blinking = Powering up (90% or more battery)
Green solid + Blue solid = Wi-Fi ready (90% or more battery)
Orange solid + Blue blinking = Powering up (less than 90% battery)
Orange solid + Blue solid = Wi-Fi ready (less than 90% battery)
Connected to wall adapter:
Green solid + Blue blinking = Powering up (90% or more battery)
Green solid + Blue solid = Wi-Fi ready (90% or more battery)
Orange solid + Blue blinking = Powering up (less than 90% battery)
Orange solid + Blue solid = Wi-Fi ready (less than 90% battery)
Connected to computer:
Green solid = Drive not mounted (90% or more battery)
White solid + Green solid = Drive mounted (90% or more battery)
Orange solid = Drive not mounted (less than 90% battery)
White solid + Orange solid = Drive mounted (less than 90% battery)
Connecting to computer while Wi-Fi active:
Blue light changes to white while mounting
Green solid = Drive not mounted (90% or more battery)
Orange solid = Drive not mounted (less than 90% battery)
White turns off then back on when mounting is done
White solid + Green solid = Drive mounted (90% or more battery)
White solid + Orange solid = Drive mounted (less than 90% battery)
Red: Requires a charge (less than 50 minutes or 20% of battery life remains)
