AT&T F160: uploading pictures to computer

[hallidaydj]

We have an AT&T F160 bar style phone.  We put a memory card in the phone. 

We upload pictures from our Razr phone to our computer by connecting the Razr to our computer with a mini USB cable.  The memory card appears on the computer as a drive with several folders under it.  The pictures on the Razr are visible a couple of folders down.  Pictures can be uploaded from the memory card to the computer, downloaded to the Razr memory card or deleted from the Razr memory card.

I figured the same thing could be done with the F160.  We connected the phone to our computer with a micro USB cable.  A drive appears on the computer with the name of JoinME that appears to be from the F160.  There is an AutoRun.exe file that will install this JoinMe software.  So far my research on JoinME is inconclusive so I have not installed it.  Also, no sign of any folder(s) with pictures.

Any ideas on how to upload, download and delete pictureswith the F160 like we've been doing with the Razr?

[jamileh · Accepted solution]

I'll admit, it took me awhile to find this info, but I was able to find it on ZTE's site. It appears as though your phone should have come with a CD that had the JoinMe software on it. I found a link through ZTE's site where you can download it though: http://www.zte.co.nz/main/Product_Downloads/R101_downloads.htm

JoinME is a computer program supplied on the CD that comes with your handset.

JoinME can be used to :

• Manage contacts (PhoneBook) and text messages (SMS) on your handset and computer.
• Transfer photos, music, videos and other content to and from your handset.
• Import contacts to your handset.
• Connect your computer to the internet using the ZTE handset as a modem.
• Use JoinME to backup or restore your data when upgrading or replacing your handset.
• A limited version of Join Me is available for mac.

Here is a link to the JoinMe User Guide:http://www.zte.co.nz/downloads/JoinME%20User%20Guide_v1.0.pdf

Here is a link to the JoinMe Software Installation Guide:  http://www.zte.co.nz/downloads/Join_Me_PC_Software_Installation_guide.pdf

Here's a link to all the FAQ stuff I found for ZTE's phones: http://www.zte.co.nz/main/faqs.htm

Hope this helps!!

<edit 7/23 - updated the download link per atlr)

[rune101rune]

I don't mean to thread jack but that program doesn't list the Z160. It has R6,R7,R90,R100,R2,R109,R101 and R54. I tried connecting it after I opened the program but it still didn't work. Any ideas? I have to SD card already in my phone.

[jamileh]

F160 and R101 are the same phone. F160 is AT&T's model name. 

[rune101rune]

Thanks for the response but it still isn't working. I did some searching around the device manager and discovered that the phone isn't listed as a mass storage device and is only listed as a USB composite device. The phone charges and everything I just can't the SD card recognized as a mass storage device despite trying numerous different drivers.

[rune101rune]

I think it's the cable, I'm using a old Verizon USB 2.0 cable, could this be the problem?

[hallidaydj]

Thanks for doing the research and replying.  I don't think there was a CD with the F160.  So I first tried to do the installation from the JoinME files that appear as a drive in Windows Explorer when the F160 is connected.  The installation didn't seem to work.  So I downloaded the software from the ZTE website.  You had to specify the model of the phone for which you wanted the software so that didn't fly since the F160 wasn't in the list.  I used the link to the ZTE download site that you provided in your reply.  I ran the installation process from that file.  However, it was very flaky.  Two buttons appeared in a dialog box.  I ran the one labelled drivers and that seemed to work.  Then I had to run the button labelled Disk something several times before that part of the installation seemed to work.  The application will start but immediately you have to specify which phone you want the application to connect to.  I tried several even the R101 which one of the replyers said is the ZTE model number for the AT&T F160.  None allowed a connection to be made.  However, when the F160 is connected to my computer, the memory card on the F160 does appear in Windows Explorer as a Removable Disk.  This allows me to upload, download and delete pictures between the F160 and my computer.  Of course without the application working none of the other advertised functions can be used.  Oh, well, you can't win 'em all.  This certainly not for the faint hearted or people without a lot of patience.

Thanks again..

[hallidaydj]

My most recent reply was really directed to Jamileh.  I should have been more clear about that.

[screeg]

I tried the steps outlined by hallidaydj, which also failed to work for my F160.  Unfortunately, Windows Explorer does not recognize the SD card as a Removable Disk.  If it did I would have everything I need.

[jamileh]

---

rune101rune wrote:
I think it's the cable, I'm using a old Verizon USB 2.0 cable, could this be the problem?

---

Yes, that could very well be the problem. I recall seeing something about making sure to use the cable that came with the phone when I was reading through the manual. 

[jamileh]

---

hallidaydj wrote:

Thanks for doing the research and replying.  I don't think there was a CD with the F160.  So I first tried to do the installation from the JoinME files that appear as a drive in Windows Explorer when the F160 is connected.  The installation didn't seem to work.  So I downloaded the software from the ZTE website.  You had to specify the model of the phone for which you wanted the software so that didn't fly since the F160 wasn't in the list.  I used the link to the ZTE download site that you provided in your reply.  I ran the installation process from that file.  However, it was very flaky.  Two buttons appeared in a dialog box.  I ran the one labelled drivers and that seemed to work.  Then I had to run the button labelled Disk something several times before that part of the installation seemed to work.  The application will start but immediately you have to specify which phone you want the application to connect to.  I tried several even the R101 which one of the replyers said is the ZTE model number for the AT&T F160.  None allowed a connection to be made.  However, when the F160 is connected to my computer, the memory card on the F160 does appear in Windows Explorer as a Removable Disk.  This allows me to upload, download and delete pictures between the F160 and my computer.  Of course without the application working none of the other advertised functions can be used.  Oh, well, you can't win 'em all.  This certainly not for the faint hearted or people without a lot of patience.

Thanks again..

---

Well, I'm glad it's kind of working. Unfortunately, there isn't much more AT&T can do since this software isn't ours. I'm not familiar with ZTE as a company but you should be able to get support directly from them for the JoinMe software. 

Thanks for updating us on your progress. I'm sure this information will be very helpful to other folks experiencing the same iss. 

[brycearoni]

I am having the same issue with my F160...I cannot seem to get any PC to recognize the device (with or without a MicroSD card). Wondering if you had success with a different USB cable? If so, where can I get an AT&T data cable (I checked the main website and the cable there says it's only for charging, not data transfer).

[gregokla]

It doesn't work for me either and I have tried using 2 different PC's one with Win 7 64 bit and another running Vista 32 bit.  Aparently there is enough difference between the R101 and the F160 to keep JOINME from connecting the phone to a PC for data transfer.  Unfortunately the "solution" does not work.

[gregokla · Accepted solution]

Here is a link from another site.  At least F160 is listed to connect with the JOINME program they referenced.  I installed both files.  One was drivers, the other was a PC Suite.

http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f272/zte-f160-usb-drivers-needed-1328777/#post7629973

Note that even after installing this, I had to go into Device Manager, locate the three ZTE driver entries and click to update the drivers automatically through the Net.  Anyhow it finally worked.  However, removing the micro sd card results in a much faster process to add or delete files than with a USB cable, but since the USB cable is also recharging the battery, it isn't so bad-- just let it do its thing,

[ytao_us]

I just got the same phone and having the same issue. After trying all other alternatives, this is the only solution that "actually" works. I 'll recommend AT&T (or the zteusa support) to support this (or comparable) download officially. Otherwise it will be very annoying for most US customers.

-Ethan

[jamileh]

Thanks for the feedback. I marked my reply with the steps as an Accepted Solution so it's easier for folks to find. I'm glad it helped!

[atlr · Accepted solution]

This post directly links to what is now an older software version. The current version is currently listed here
http://www.zte.co.nz/main/Product_Downloads/R101_downloads.htm

[jamileh]

Thanks atlr! I've updated my post to reflect the new link. 

[Richard8655]

For MAC OSX users, to upload files (music, pictures, videos, etc.) from your Mac to your FT160, there's no need for special software (JoinME) or a physical USB connection.  Just send your files wirelessly from your Mac to FT160 using Bluetooth. 

Mac OSX comes with Bluetooth File Exchange, which allows you to send these files wirelessly to your F160 phone,  Just make the F160 Bluetooth feature discoverable, and pair it with your Mac.  Then start Bluetooth File Exchange on your Mac, navigate to the MP3 files you want to transfer (music example), and click send. Works perfectly for me. You may want to buy a 8GB microsdhc card for 5 bucks for your FT160 to increase the default storage from 150MB to 8GB. 

[openlaptop]

The only way that worked for me was to use the software located on *******, linked in the gsmhosting forum thread someone posted earlier. I ran the rar file through virus total and it showed 1/46 virus detectors detected it as a virus. So I installed it in an XP SP3 x86 virtual machine and that's how I was able to download the pictures from my phone.

Nothing proposed here by the AT&T community manager worked and it should not be the accepted solution. Although F160 and R101 are the same phone you need the JoinMe software that has F160 in the device selection list not R101. R101 doesn't work. I really think AT&T needs to offer us a solution rather than having to download something from a third party website that could be a trojan. I can't believe I had to go to the trouble to setup a vm just to download my pictures. AT&T should offer an official version of this software.

One more thing, you have to change the phone's connection setting to USB if it is set to bluetooth (even if it isn't enabled).

Settings > Connections > PC connection > Choose USB. Select. USB is now selected. Turn phone off and back on

[Removed reference to potentially hazardous file]

[jamileh]

Thank you for your feedback. 

The link referenced above is from the phone's manufacturer and is trustworthy. I am sorry the steps that worked for others did not work for you.