pff... I wanted to edit OP but couldn't eventually getting the error message I am only allowed to post every 24h?! wtf

edit: oh, I forgot the mess when creating this thread. By default 'Deco' as target forum is chosen. After deselecting Deco and selecting Router as target, the thread is still rejected because of wrong forum. I had to first navigate to the Router forum. 

I am already so fed up of the most basic things not working in modern applications and services. Across the board, regardless of vendor and type of service, nothing seem to work nowadays.

Ok, using another app on my ipad manages to connect the shared drive and access the files.

Why TP-Link does not support the official file browser app for iOS: Files, is beyond me.

  @dedmoin 

Hi,

The "File Sharing" section relates to sharing files via the SMB and FTP protocols. 

If the toggle switch for "Secure Sharing" is set to on, then you can configure two access credentials, one for Read&Write access and one for Read-only access.

On a "fresh" router (i.e. new router or after factory reset) one user credential for the user with Read&Write permissions somehow remains shown even after Secure Sharing has been switched off. This appears to be a cosmetic bug. Once you have edited (i.e. "Modify") and saved the user with Read&Write permissions, then this user is not shown anymore when Secure Sharing is toggled off. 

TP-Link's Archer routers do not allow to assign different folders to different users.

"Media Sharing" is separate and refers to sharing digital media via the DLNA standard. 

I don't own any iOS devices and therefore cannot test, but as long a the "Files" app supports the SMB protocol it should be able to access the USB share of the Archer BE550. Please verify that you don't have any old credentials for smb://192.168.0.1 stored as "Favorite" (or whatever it may be called in that app) for a previous router you might have owned.

By the way, the router model shown in the firmware update screen should match the model shown on the retail box of the router.
 

Hello  @woozle 

Thanks for your reply.

I add some of my thoughts to your comment, which are generic and not necessarily addressed to you.

"If the toggle switch for "Secure Sharing" is set to on, then you can configure two access credentials, one for Read&Write access and one for Read-only access.

On a "fresh" router (i.e. new router or after factory reset) one user credential for the user with Read&Write permissions somehow remains shown even after Secure Sharing has been switched off. This appears to be a cosmetic bug. Once you have edited (i.e. "Modify") and saved the user with Read&Write permissions, then this user is not shown anymore when Secure Sharing is toggled off. "

Super confusing and unnecessary as it is a small things to change.

I am not sure if the first default user is just cosmetic. I am pretty sure I changed its password. 

Also 'configure two access credentials' is a one time activity. Once created not even the name can be changed anymore. wtf?!

"I don't own any iOS devices and therefore cannot test, but as long a the "Files" app supports the SMB protocol it should be able to access the USB share of the Archer BE550. Please verify that you don't have any old credentials for smb://192.168.0.1 stored as "Favorite" (or whatever it may be called in that app) for a previous router you might have owned."

There are different versions of SMB. However, iOS Files should support the same SMB versions (2/3) as Windows 10/11. I have no clue why it works with Windows but not with some iOS apps. Probably because iOS apps have their 'own variation' of SMB. 

I couldn't find any details on what SMB version does BE9300 support. Even when Secure Sharing is disabled, I cannot connect with most apps from ipad.

In one of TP-Links knowledge base I read SMB should be connect with a specifically named app on iOS. They didn't mention the standard app, Files. So it seems TP-Link is aware of this incompatibility.

"By the way, the router model shown in the firmware update screen should match the model shown on the retail box of the router."

I don't have the box anymore but why the heck they are marketing the router as BE9300 when they treat it as pimped up BE550. It would have been much easier for customers if they had named it as 'BE550 speedy-lan edition' or 'BE550 SLed' in short or whatever. Anything is better than having a completely different name for essentially the same router.

Although the HW is different between BE550 and BE9300 it says: 'HW version: Archer BE550 v1.0'?! 

Thanks again.

Eventually it simply doesn't work with standard procedure but special apps are needed.

And user management for Secure Sharing is below basic level (delete, create, change name would be basic).

kind regards

  @dedmoin 

I don't know why the Files app can't connect, but the Archer BE550 shows as supporting SMB 3.1.1 (see below), which, despite being about 10 years old, is still the latest SMB protocol in existence.