dcs wifi import export question

I've never used this. Seems weird that no one replied though.

Thanks ameen, got both apps through the google play store. when my devices are on wifi connected to the WIU this feature does not work. when my decices are not connected to the WIU and thier respected wifi is turned off. the results are the same. 

I used my tablet to load engines into the engine list and have all my engines in the order in wich I wanted them so I wanted to have the list be the same on my samsung phone. this import export feature is supposed to allow this. this is just like coloning regular remotes with your labtop only its for the dcs app. whats going on here is it me or has mth got another bug in the premium app?

Searching Google warrants results.  I just fielded this same question last night.  As of 5/8/20, Export is still doing the same thing to me that Roger experienced last August.  I wanted to do the almost exact same thing he did, data from a Tab A to a smart phone.  I tried using my house wifi as a source, but still no response from the Export command.  All Import has to say about it is that public information pop up that tells you about using a different extension.  I did see one other item about this same subject in another thread, but in that case, a person was attempting to transfer his hand held remote data to his phone and kept crashing the system.  At least his efforts crashed the system, we can't even get Export to do anything.  Here's my ongoing and never ending issue with this.  Anyone who has ever dealt with me in a thread knows me well.

Since August of last year a user of this WIFI system has had an issue with the system and no one from MTH, at least as far as I know based on the fact I'm still suffering from it in May 2020, no one from MTH has replied to his question, nor has anyone replied to my question from yesterday.  I don't expect replies from fellow forum members, unless they just want to say hi and talk for a bit, unless they have information that helps my situation, or know someone I can contact who does.  But one would think, especially since the covid19 excuse was not even on our radar in August 2019, someone from MTH would have contacted Roger, or at least read his question, and investigated this.  On that note, if said investigation had taken place, and it was discovered that Roger hadn't done something critical to the success of this Export feature, one would hope that MTH would have told Roger what he wasn't doing to make Export work.  Thus, Roger would have been able to reply to his own thread and tell the rest of us.  I'm going to go with there is a glitch and MTH hasn't been made aware of it so they can fix it.

HEY MTH, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IMPORT/EXPORT FEATURE IN THE MORE... MENU.  Not to mention the 2nd Edition release of the guide doesn't walk you through how to use it.  Tells you about, but really doesn't go the extra mile to walk you through how it was designed to work and what to expect when it does actually work.

Have you actually tried to contact MTH directly to get an answer from MTH?  While posting a question on this forum might generate some responses from helpful forum members, this forum is not likely one of their official contact points for support.

https://mthtrains.com/dcs-app-contact-form

I have used the iOS version several times to keep multiple devices in sync, but I do not have the Android version.

Haven't yet, but, there's always a but, past experience has in some cases netted information I can work with, where other attempts to contact MTH have netted bare nets, no fish, no lobsters, not even a minnow.

I called them once and was pleased to have a man answer who was a very good listener and promised to send my concerns to the proper authority on the subject.  I was curious as to whey the switch menu was working the way it is.  Rich Foster of all people contacted me via his own personal work email and answered my questions quite nicely I might add.  I took his kind gesture as a leap of faith to ask other questions and voice other concerns, twice, and have gotten a nothing but crickets as a reply.  I felt my questions were important.  As a user of the premium version I felt it necessary to voice my concerns about certain aspects of the app.  Based on my search results and a total lack of YouTube videos by anyone pertaining to the use of the pay versions of the app, just the free app, and the fact I have asked the forum on a couple of occasions about the premium version of the app, and received few, if any replies, I am beginning to feel as if I am the only person on the planet who purchased the premium app and use it.

I know I am not the only person to use it, but I could be the only person who is experiencing the issues and problems I am experiencing.  Why I feel this way is due to the fact that I don't see any chatter on the forum related to the issues I have discovered as a user of the app.  The issues I speak of are not earth shaking, but along the lines of "what were they thinking", "I don't think this is working the way they designed it", and "Are you kidding me?"  Twice I have attempted to contact MTH using the Contact Us selection on their website and both times I didn't get so much as a "we are sending your concerns to the proper people."  More crickets.  My main reason for using the forum as an ear, I want to find out first and foremost, is anyone else suffering from this issue.  Whatever the issue may be.  I fielded this same question to the MTH General Subjects forum just two days ago, I've received nothing in reply.  I search the site, find a thread started back in August of 2019, and now have gotten a Like and a reply.  By the way, thank you for your reply.  I don't want to ask MTH until I first find out if this is a bigger problem.  From what I can tell, based on pings from other members, it must not be.

If I'm the only person having these problems, and my trains run pretty well on my layout, so I don't think it's a signal issue, then I'm not going to bother MTH anymore.  I can re-create the routes on my cell phone from scratch, or just not bother with that and open the darn switches one by one individually.  Besides, I don't use my cell phone to run trains, and when the situation requires it, I just wait till my tablet charges. 

yardmaster96 I am roger I did not contact mth.I figured they are still updating the app and would get aroung to it. I have decided to have the wifi remotes for people who come over who like running there trains with the app. I have since fell back in love with the remote. I do not have to look it it that much when running trains. plus I love having the other hand free for my uncopling tool I made.

For what its worth I did try the app a few weeks ago and the import export feature still was not working. kinda a bummer since they are pushing this new technology. I dont follow the software updates that close. my phone automatically updates the app when mth has an update. so I am not up to speed on the latest software update. 

The only MTH forum member that I recall responding to any App issues that were reported on this forum, myself included, was MTH RD.  July 2019 was their last visit to the forum.

Roger - Good information about the updating of the app.  I don't know if my phone is set up to do that or not.  I know the tablet isn't because one it doesn't have a sim card for tower data, and two, I keep it and the wifi turned off when I'm not using it.  As for the TV remote, I switched because I was seeing threads about Mike and the gang forcing the issue with WIFI remote operation.  Something about Edelman (I think that's right) broadcasting a podcast that when you read between the lines he was saying, 'we are ditching the hand held and going WIFI, get used to it'.  He didn't say that, but that was what some people read into it.  

MrMoe - Also good information about the frequency that an MTH employee or technician answers issues on the Forum.  Based on your information, I guess it's silly for me to grumble about why MTH is not aware of some of the issues brought forth on this site.  But in our defense, we try to use the given methods of contact, and when we get silence as a reply, that doesn't exactly exude confidence.  

But keeping with the subject of this thread, Import and Export do not appear, at least to the eye test, to work.  Maybe I'm not reading Barry's (rest his soul) instructions the way he intended for us to understand them.  I'm going to try reading page 118 again and see if I missed something vital.  The main reason I am not a vascular surgeon anymore.  Kidding, just kidding.  But based on Export's extreme "do nothingness", unless that's the point and I didn't see that, something isn't computing.  I thought maybe when you tap Export, behind the scenes where we can't see it, a file is generated in a location and waits for me to take my phone and hit Import, change the extension to .mth, and then the file is loaded into my phone app and the update occurs.  But one would think that the Export command would have been coded to be more forthcoming with that information rather than just coded to wink at you and appear broken.

Count me among those experiencing the same export/import problem in the paid app (android). I sent a message to MTH a while back, but never received a response. This thread seems to be the only online discussion of the problem. Export/import  would be a great feature... if it worked.

Just a shot in the dark here, but since none of the usual contact methods seem to be working (Phone, email, web form or even this forum) perhaps one of the MTH Certified Technicians on the forum that might have more regular contact with MTH personnel could use their secret handshake to maybe get this issue known to the folks at MTH?  I mean, seeing as Mike W. was pushing the app for the past several years whenever he could, one would think he would want to see it succeed.

On one hand I am pleased to know that someone else is having trouble with the app.  Not because misery loves company, but in this case, I don't feel like the boy who cried wolf, and I'm not talking about Mike.  It's obvious this thread is getting off topic while remaining on the highway.  I guess you might say we've started driving in the emergency lane but have yet to go off road.  I tried something this afternoon that didn't work, but garnered some small tidbit of information that follows Barry's book.  According to page 118, and I have it in front of me, the DCS applications contents including engines, switch tracks, accessories, Routes and Scenes, can be backed up to a PC or directly transferred to another IOS or Android device.  A backup file may be restored later to the same DCS Application or a different DCS Application on a different smart device, effectively creating a clone on the second device.

Sorry Barry, didn't mean to plagiarize your work if that's what I did, but know that what I wrote is close to what he said with some words left out or sentences shortened.  He then on page 119 mentions sending the exported file as an Email.  In order to do this you know as well as I do that internet access is necessary for successful sending of any email.  Barry says as much.  So if the only WIFI connection you have currently working is the DCS WIFI box as a stand alone and not a router driven box, you will need to connect to the interent on your house WIFI.  My question pertaining to that, does your WIFI box have to be connected to the LAN in order for you to get the Application file in order to send it to your email address?  He then tells us how to perform the export;

Tap Export

Now he says the IOS version of the Application will display the message Export Complete and show a Share button.  Leads me to believe the Apple version works because the I am using and Android device and when I tap Export, I get nothing, ziltch, nada, no buttons, no messages, I can't pass go, I can't collect $2500 (inflation rates).  But the IOS version seems to give you this message then a Share button and when you press the share button you can select android from the choices.  Once you do that, all he says is follow the instructions provided on the screen.  Hope it works was not included in the final part of that paragraph, so I took the liberty of adding it here.  He goes on to talk about Import after that.  Basically it maps out this way.  Export creates a file that you email to yourself.  After that, if i read this right, you use the device you wish to save the exported file to, to open the emailed file.  Once you do this, minor instructions ensue and you basically save the file to the device you are on at the moment.  Kind of like if you want a picture you took with your phone to be on your tablet, the easiest way to get it there, if taking the same photo is not an option, is to email the picture to your email address, then turn on the tablet, open email, and there is the picture waiting for you to open it and save it to the tablet.  Would be nice if that part about Export complete and the Sharing button were working.  

I will stick to my handhelds and labtop for cloning remotes it is much more straight forward. just follow the screen promts and it takes seconds. my mth engine fleet is quite large. I would Ideally love my tablets and handheld remotes to all be the same in the engines selection menu. so untill this gets resolved by mth I will only enter and run one engine at a time on my phone if and when it is nesscesary. maybe mth will see this thread. If train shows open back up and mth is there. possibly andy edelman I will asked him about this issue? he is a great guy and actually listens to customers. 

Do be aware that the MD governor has shut down many businesses.

A few weeks ago, I had to use export import to gwt wifi files, on a tablet, onto a cell phone.  Export sent a file via email, which the phone's program opened.  Like Roger though, I stick with the remotes so I can watch trains.  When you click export, it has to be able to find the means to send an e-mail, which will carry the data file to be exported.  It may take awhile to find your email vehicle

Now that's helpful information.  Not that anyone else's information wasn't, don't take that wrong, but it explains the hideous delay that I am now aware is taking place.  You see, thanks to Barry's explanation and no one else who has replied being able to provide that little tidbit of information, that it takes a few minutes for it to find the sweet spot, now maybe roger, myself, and abbrail will be able to use the command.  You are the first person to tell us that anyone has had success with the Export command.  With that ammunition to go on, and, now, knowing there is a waiting period, I will try it again and wait.

In our defense, even though we really don't need to defend ourselves and you weren't asking us too, by the way thank you for this very important information, when you aren't presented with the usual infinity circle that YouTube and other places like to present when they are buffering for data, you don't just assume that something is going on behind the scenes.  We, and I don't speak for Roger or Abbrail, like me, probably thought that when we tapped Export, something was supposed to happen immediately.  When it didn't, we kept, well I did, kept tapping Export over and over never to get a response.  Now thank to your information we know that an immediate response is not going to happen and we need to stick it out until something finally does.  I promise, none of what I just wrote is sarcasm.  I truly am thankful for the help.  However.

The Governor didn't shut down businesses until probably March of 2020.  Roger had this issue August of 2019.  Granted, he told us he didn't contact MTH about it.  However, he also didn't get any traffic on the forum either.  I think he got two replies until I chimed in four days ago.  Since then there has been quite an interest in this topic, finally netting information we can use to hopefully put this feature to good use.  Barry wrote a wonderful guidebook that anyone who uses DCS, especially WIFI remote should read.  But no where on page 118 or 119 is it ever mentioned that when you select the Export command that there is a "waiting period".  It would have been nice if when he wrote the steps to follow, he might have thrown in something pertaining to the fact that selecting Export does not present an immediate response, that it may take a few seconds for the command to find the email vehicle it needs to export the file.  

I beg all of you reading this to understand that I truly am not a hard butt when it comes to this stuff I just wish that MTH and Lionel and all of the other company's that build model trains would stop assuming that every customer that comes down the pipe "just knows" how to use this stuff.  I read Barry's books and still couldn't figure out how to use this command.  But, all it took was one person explaining to us that "there's a delay", and it all made sense.  Why couldn't MTH and the coders who created it in the first place just tell us that to begin with?  Something as simple as "there is a slight delay", or just a bubble that comes up and says, "Finding email vehicle, please wait....."  Is that too much to ask?  Must be.

Thanks RJR.  I'll let you know what happens.  I may have more questions since I know you can get this to work.

Well don't be so sure you can rely on me.  I have 2 WIUs, which I bought back when I was a beta tester years ago, one for each TIU.  I rarely use them, since I prefer using the remotes.  I can't keep up with many operating trains and 50 switches using the tablet.

I have to admit, especially since from the beginning I've found some nerve racking aspects of tablet use versus big rubber buttons, WIFI is not all it's cracked up to be.  It's just the "smart" way of doing things, which is what the world wants everything to come to.  Smart this, smart that.  I still can't figure out how to start a fire in my microwave without smoking up the house and having to open the windows, so that was a bust buy.  Kidding.  I dial in the minutes just like everyone else and watch the sparks fly.

I do have a question, and use my most recent attempt at humor as your guide to why I ask.

Do I need to run the WIU in Home mode rather than MTH mode in order to get this Export thing to work?  I bet the farm that I do.  One would ask how can a dedicated WIFI emitter box gain access to the internet and email capability if it is running in a contained mode.  MTH mode is what I consider contained.  It sends a WIFI signal to the Tablet and allows the Tablet to talk to the TIU so the App can do its thing.  Home mode allows the Tablet to continue to talk to the TIU while having access to the internet via the Home router.  Two worlds for the price of one.  My problem, my router is on the east end of the house, while my WIU is on the west end of the house.  The instructions for Home mode use specifically say, press the WPS button on your router, then press the WPS button on the WIU.  Per chance how long between pushes do i have to run from the router to the train room and press the other WPS button?  Will I have to involve the wife in this process?  What if, and this is true, I can't find the WPS button on my router?  How do I supply the ever wanted password that my router asks for every time i connect a WIFI driven unit to the house router?  None of this is mentioned in any great detail in the WIFI guidebook, the owners manual that came with the WIFI unit, and we've already discussed the great lengths MTH went to when creating their owners manual for the premium app.

If you want to start a fire in your microwave, set it for 40 minutes rather than 40 seconds.  My son did it years ago, but we did have to open windows in mid-winter.

Import/export have nothing to do with the WIU.  It's strictly between your device and the internet and your e-mail. 

Please don't ask me about setting the system up.  I did it years ago, set it to MTH, and haven't touched it since.

For kicks & giggles, I just tried exporting from my phone, and nothing happens.  Tried it from an old tablet, and it went right to the e-mail send window.

Humblest apologies, didn't mean to put you on the spot.  I am notorious for thinking out loud.  People ask me, "who are you talking too?"  I'm not talking to anyone, I'm thinking out loud.  Granted my previous reply did ask you specifically some set up questions, and again I apologize. 

You have been the best source of information any of us have had the pleasure of talking to about this and I just wanted to field some thoughts hoping you might have some insight on them.  The fact your tablet is actually performing and the export command is not just sitting there staring back at you, tells all of us that this feature does work, when properly used.  It appears, and this is just my outhouse logic on the subject, you have to have internet access as well as access to the TIU.  MTH mode only gives you access via wifi signal, to the the TIU.  Home mode, gives you both.  One other thing that needs to be mentioned is that my cell phone has tower access through mobile data.  So internet access is possible without use of WIFI signal.  My tablet doesn't.  The only way to get to the net is via the WIFI signal and attachment to my house router which is attached to a satellite dish bolted to the side of my house.  Every time I attach the tablet to the house router, i get emails on my tablet just like i do when I turn on mobile data on my phone.  In order to print something from my phone i have to turn on the WIFI because if I don't, my phone and my printer can't see each other.  Where this is all headed is that without access to the net, Export doesn't appear to be able to work at all.

I took the information you gave us at the beginning and tried using it in just MTH mode, and nothing happened.  I waited 10 minutes and no response.  I then switched from MTH WIFI to house WIFI, and it still didn't work.  Not because I wasn't attached to the net, because I wasn't attached the WIU.  The App needs the WIU to work.  Without the WIU you can't make the App start a train, much less blow a horn or ring a bell, especially perform an Export.  Without the net, Export won't work.  The common denominator in all this is that you have to find an attachment mode that gives you App access and gives the App internet access.  That, according to the owner's pamphlet, is Home mode.

I think, and I'm probably wrong, the reason we are having trouble is not because the feature isn't working, it's because we don't have all the information necessary to make an educated decision.  It isn't your responsibility in any way, shape or form to educate us.  You saw a thread that you had some insight and you were kind enough to chime in and give your take on the issue.  I thank you for that immensely.  You have told us more in a few statements than any guidebook or owner's manual hasn't.  Most of this reply, if not 95% of it, is to anyone who is having trouble using Export and Import and like myself, wasn't aware of the Home mode on their WIU.  I'll read the guidebook again, maybe I completely missed that part, or, that part was just written in a way that I didn't make the connection.

Thanks RJR, you're good people.

Trust me, Yardmaster, you don't need access to the WIU, or the layout, to export/import.  When you start the app, it asks "Run my trains."  Click it and a small window pops up saying no connection.  Close that window and the app brightens up.  Click "more" and you are on the way (hopefully)

My tablet does not have direct internet access as a cell phone might; strictly wifi..  It goes through the house system.

Good to know.  I'll try it now.  Thanks

John

I'm also having trouble with the export function on the Android version of the app.

I have both the Android and the iOS version, but I can only get the export function to work on my iPad with the iOS version of the app. I have an Android phone and a tablet, and Export does not work on either device. My Android devices will, however, import the file that I exported from my iPad.

I emailed MTH support and will let you know if I hear from them.

And I think it would be a good idea to actively make MTH R&D @MTH RD aware of these posts.

I think we may have found the culprit in this problem.  Before I go any further, RJR, you said you weren't having any problems with Export, by chance, are you using an Iphone and Ipad?  If so, that explains the part of page 118 in Barry's guidebook that mentions specifically IOS.  I think what has happened, and this again is my outhouse logic talking, the export command's coding has been written, accidentally i might add, for an Apple driven device, where, and thanks to JohnF we know this, Import has been coded to work on either device.

As for the contacting MTH, well, been my experience that if you try that on email using contact us, you get absolutely no response at all.  I have sent Rich Foster an email twice since he wrote me back about a problem I was having with the switch screens and he sent me his answer to my questions on his work email that takes you directly to him.  I tried to thank him for his help, and threw in one or two other things i was having a problem with, and he never to this day has written me back.  Tried emailing him again and still, nothing.  I emailed Lionel yesterday about an issue and at least they were nice enough to send me the no reply company memo email telling me that they had received my email, thanked me for my interest in Lionel, and told me someone would get back to me.  MTH doesn't even do that anymore.  I'm not an MTH basher, but MTH, Lionel, Atlas, Weaver, Bachmann, Turner, even Overdrive, if you ignore me when I try to ask a question, don't expect me to praise your customer service, Covid or no covid you can work from home and at the least answer emails in your spare time between feeding the dog and putting the baby down for a nap.  Now if Rich is sick or has passed since our last contact, I understand completely, but I haven't seen any memorial posts, so if there is something I need to know, please feel free to let me know.  Otherwise, I stand by my complaint that MTH is lacking in email response.  I would love to be able to send them a laundry list of things I've discovered about this "premium", yea right, class of their WIFI DCS.  But this thread is about Import/Export so I'll get off my soap dish and just say

Thanks JohnF and H1000 for your input, it is most certainly appreciated.  I thought maybe this thread had gone stagnant.  To update, I tried what RJR told me, and it still didn't work.  Not his problem, but I think JohnF has hit the target.  Unless of course RJR writes back and says his android devices work fine.  Then we are back to square one.

John S

No apples.  Only androids.

Search the forum about 1-3 years ago.  There may have been a discussion.

RJR, 

What version of Android you are using on your old tablet and your phone?

I wonder if it may be a problem with just the newest version of Android. You mentioned in an earlier post that the Export function worked on your old tablet but not your phone. The app may be working on your tablet because it has not been upgraded to Android 10.

Torpedo's that idea below the water line.  Honestly when I typed the idea that the coding was off, it was sort of one of those, "see how dumb that sounds folks."  I followed the instructions as they were written, but all my tablet and phone do is let me see the command and tap it.  After that I wait endlessly for something else to happen and it never does.  "Export Complete" is supposed to show up and then some instructions to follow.  All I get is.........................................................................................

.............. translates to "I get nothing".  I am connected to the house router so it can use the net and email.  The instructions in the guidebook say nothing about changing from MTH to House mode on the WIU.  RJR doesn't do that and his works.  Like he said, I'll see if there are any other threads about this from years past.  It's worth figuring out even if we never use it for anything.  

Hadn't thought of that.  Never would have.  I checked my phone and it is using Android version 9.  Haven't checked the Tab A yet but I'd say it has a more updated version.  Then again what do I know.  There has to be some link to this problem that RJR doesn't experience on his Tablet.  

I found another thread called MTH DCS Wifi Premium App Questions or Issues.  I am going to post this issue on that thread to see if anyone else sees it there and responds.

anything here help?

https://ogrforum.com/...48#77171017961185648

Based on what I just browsed, all of what was posted referred to using an Iphone.  The steps were very well posted and explained everything that should happen, for an Iphone user.  RJR uses android devices, and his Export works.  This is very mysterious.  I connect to my home router and do exactly what the instructions say, but none of that stuff beyond tapping the Export command happens.  RJR mentioned it takes a minute for it to find and export the file, but I've waited up to 5 minutes and no response.

Yardmaster,

Your situation is exactly the same as mine. I can get to the Export command, but when I tap it nothing happens. I have tried with 2 different devices. I have tried with the WIU/TIU on and off, and with my devices connected to the home internet and cell service. 

I looked on the Google app store, and the app has not been updated since late 2018. I would be interested to hear from RJR about which version of Android is on the device that works. I am wondering if something has changed in Android that is preventing this feature from working.

You asked what version of Android I am using.  The tablket that exports immediately is version 5.1.  Phone is 9 and other tabelt is 8.5; the latter 2 don't appear to export and I'm too busy to paly with them.

RJR,

Thanks for the information. That's what I was thinking. My guess is that the export function will not work for later versions of Android until MTH updates the app.

Good news! MTH responded to my inquiry and provided a solution. It turns out that the Export function is creating a file, but it's not easy to find.

I have attached a copy of the instructions that MTH sent me.  I followed the instructions, and everything worked for me.

I did, however, have to change one setting on my phone to get it to work. Before you do Step 3, tap the menu in the upper right corner and make sure that "Show Internal Storage" is checked. You will not be able to see the files if this is not selected.

Also, at the end you need to select the file and then tap the share icon.

John

John, thank you very much for posting this.  Webmaster should make it a permanent file somewhere.

@johnf posted:

...I have attached a copy of the instructions that MTH sent me.  I followed the instructions, and everything worked for me... 

John

Thank you, John! The design team at MTH didn't put much thought into this UI on this, but it works and that is great news! Thanks for seeking and sharing this info. 

Thanks for sharing this John.  After contacting MTH they responded in 5 days.  Pretty good response time given the current situation. 

Gary

Last night, my android phone updated to Android 10.  My screens bear no resemblance to those shown in the document from MTH.  There is no hamburger menu on the left.   I was able to add the permission to use storage.

John, how does one get to "Show internal storage"