Android Tutorial [B4X] PocketBase - How to reach api via smartphone on the same network when hosted locally

[B4X] PocketBase - Open Source backend in 1 file

PocketBase was created to assist building self-contained applications that can run on a single server without requiring to install anything in addition. The basic idea is that the common functionality like crud, auth, files upload, auto TLS, etc. are handled out of the box, allowing you to focus...

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If you develop with B4J with Pocketbase, then you simply enter the localhost address (127.0.0.1:8090) and reach the pocketbase api.

xPocketbase.Initialize("http://127.0.0.1:8090") 'Localhost -> B4J only

However, in order to access the pocketbase api via smartphone, the pocketbase api must be started using a different command.
The documentation says to start the api like this:

pocketbase serve

This means that the api only listens to the localhost and the smartphone in the same network cannot reach the api.
To solve this, the Pocketbase api must be started with the following parameter:

pocketbase serve --http=0.0.0.0:8090

Explanation:

• 0.0.0.0 makes the server listen on all network interfaces (not just localhost)
• :8090 specifies the port (you can change it if needed)

If you are using a firewall or Windows Defender, make sure to allow traffic on port 8090

Public xPocketbase As Pocketbase
#If B4J
xPocketbase.Initialize("http://127.0.0.1:8090") 'Localhost -> B4J only
#Else
xPocketbase.Initialize("http://192.168.188.142:8090") 'IP of your PC
#End If