How to Transfer Files Between Android, iPhone and PC for Free With LocalSend
Move photos, PDFs and videos over local Wi-Fi with free LocalSend, without accounts, cloud uploads or paid transfer quotas.
Before you begin
Sending a large video from an Android phone to a Windows laptop often turns into a search for cables, cloud storage or messaging apps that compress the file. LocalSend is a free open-source application designed to transfer files between nearby devices over a local network. Its official site lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS support. No user account or cloud upload is needed, and the transfer does not require an internet connection if the local network remains available.
1Install LocalSend on the devices involved
Visit localsend.org on each device and follow the official download links for the operating system. Choose the project's actual app rather than an unknown similarly named transfer utility. On computers, check firewall prompts and only allow the app on networks you trust. On mobile devices, LocalSend may request access to local-network discovery or selected files. Grant the permission necessary to send the chosen files rather than giving unrelated access.
2Connect to one trusted local network
Join both devices to the same home, office or personally controlled Wi-Fi network. LocalSend works over local-network connections rather than uploading everything to a cloud server. A router's guest-network isolation or corporate firewall can block peer-to-peer discovery. If the devices cannot see each other, try a trusted home network or check documented firewall and network settings. Do not disable all system firewalls merely to fix one transfer problem.
3Start with one harmless test document
Open LocalSend on both devices. On the sender, select a small test file, tap Send and choose the recipient's visible device name. Confirm that the selected target really is your device, especially in a room with multiple computers. The receiving screen may show an incoming transfer prompt to accept. Look for successful completion and open the received file to confirm it matches the source. This quick trial makes later large transfers less stressful.
4Transfer photos, folders or large videos thoughtfully
Select the files you actually intend to share. Transfer time depends mainly on local network speed, device performance and file size, not a subscription tier. LocalSend's official site says it imposes no transfer bandwidth limits and does not show advertisements. Keep both devices awake and connected for very large transfers, and do not assume a transfer finished simply because the sending screen closed. Inspect the receiving folder after completion to check filenames and size.
5Review encryption and nearby-device privacy
LocalSend says transfers use HTTPS encryption and supports optional PIN verification. Use the supported verification option when you need additional confidence that the intended recipient accepted the file. On a shared network, avoid sending private documents to a name you do not recognize. Remember that encryption protects the transfer path, not the recipient's future handling of the downloaded content. Sending files locally does not automatically erase originals, embedded metadata or previously shared copies.
6Know where received files are saved and when to use alternatives
According to the official FAQ, received files are saved in the device's Downloads folder by default, with a setting to change the destination. Confirm this location before sending hundreds of files. If the devices are in different countries, LocalSend is not an ordinary internet-wide sharing service, so use another secure transfer workflow. For important documents, maintain proper backups even after verifying a successful local transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can LocalSend work without internet?
Yes. The project is designed for local-network transfers, so a functioning local connection can be enough.
Does LocalSend upload files to its cloud?
The official project describes direct local-network transfer without sending files to a hosted cloud storage service.
Official sources and further reading
Interface labels, availability and policies may change. Confirm current details with the relevant service before taking action.