Docker, Phone & PWA
Run Ultra Explorer on your NAS or server with Docker Compose, then install it on your phone like an app. The interface is built for touch, not just shrunk.
Real-world screenshots:
Self-host with Docker Compose
The web version is the same interface served by the Ultra Explorer server. Copy .env.example to .env, set a unique ULTRA_ADMIN_PASSWORD, then start it with "docker compose up --build -d" and open http://localhost:7373. The container runs unprivileged, drops Linux capabilities, uses a read-only root filesystem and keeps its database, rclone configuration and temporary transfer state in the ultra-data volume.
Tip :Compose binds to 127.0.0.1 by default. Do not expose port 7373 directly to the internet.
Reach it from your phone with HTTPS
To use it beyond a trusted private network, place the service behind an HTTPS reverse proxy and set ULTRA_SECURE_COOKIES=true. HTTPS is also what allows installation: the service worker and the install prompts need a secure context, including on a private LAN. An http:// address such as a server’s private IP does not qualify.
Install it as an app (PWA)
Open the address in the phone’s browser and sign in. On iPhone and iPad, use Share, then Add to Home Screen, and keep Open as Web App on. On browsers that offer an install prompt, Settings shows an Install application button. The installed app has its own icon and opens without browser tabs.
Tip :The install controls are hidden when no reliable action exists, when the app already runs installed, and inside the desktop app.
Designed for touch
On a small screen the two Explorer panes stack and Select mode adds a bar with the actions for the selected files. Settings use a list and detail layout. Fixed controls stay inside the system safe area, so notches, rounded corners and the home gesture never cover them.
Saving files on iPhone and iPad
In an installed app, a download stays inside Ultra Explorer. Once the file has arrived, Save… opens the system share sheet, including Save to Files, and Save all (N)… sends every ready file to one sheet. This needs Safari on iOS 26 or newer and enough free storage. Files waiting to be saved are temporary: save them before closing or signing out.
What to expect
The phone app needs the server to be reachable: it browses and operates live and does not cache file listings, API responses, credentials or pending changes. If the server is down, a localized screen offers a retry. Updates do not reload the page; close and reopen the app to apply one.