How to Use LocalSend to Easily Transfer Files Wirelessly Between Your Devices

Sending files across devices running the same operating system or operating in the same ecosystem is usually pretty easy. But when you need a truly cross-platform solution, your options are limited. That’s where third-party apps like LocalSend come in, which is a great alternative to AirDrop.

LocalSend is a free, open-source file sharing app available on all major platforms that you can use to send files to any device on your local network. It lets you transfer files wirelessly between your different devices easily and efficiently. Whether you want to share photos, videos, or documents, LocalSend offers a simple and fast solution without the need for an internet connection. Check out the best AirDrop alternatives for Android.

What makes LocalSend better than AirDrop?

Although AirDrop is very fast and easy to use, it is not available for non-Apple devices. It is similar to Quick Share, which works on Android, ChromeOS, Windows, and Linux (unofficially). These protocols work similarly but are not compatible.

iOS devices can’t send files to Windows PCs via AirDrop, and Android phones can’t send files to Macs via Quick Share. That’s where LocalSend comes in. It can send files through these walled gardens without an internet connection.

It's also free and open source, which means the source code is available to anyone who needs it, whether to check it for bugs and security issues or to contribute to the project. LocalSend's ability to work offline makes it more reliable than other cross-platform services like Snapdrop and PairDrop.

Moreover, it is simple and easy to use. It works almost as smoothly as the built-in service and requires little to no setup. It is completely ad-free and offers secure end-to-end encryption to prevent anyone from snooping on your files during transfer.

Download: LocalSend for iOS | Android | Windows | macOS (Free)

Using LocalSend between mobile devices

To transfer files between two phones, you need to have LocalSend installed on at least one of them. When you launch the app, it will give your device a weird name, like Nice Apple or Fine Carrot. You can change it to whatever name you want in the app settings.

LocalSend works over a wireless connection, so make sure both devices are connected to your local network. If you're not using a router, turn on the hotspot feature on one phone and connect the second device to it.

Next, go to the Send tab in the LocalSend app. You can send files, media, texts, and even entire folders. You’ll see nearby devices that are running the app on the same network.

Sending a file is as simple as selecting the files you want to send via the “Select” pane and choosing a device to send it to from nearby devices. The recipient is notified of the transfer and can choose to accept or decline the transfer. The recipient can click “Options” to choose a folder to save the files to and rename them.

advice: The settings icon (gear) next to “Nearby devices” lets you choose whether you want to send to one recipient or multiple recipients at once. The “Share via link” option lets you send files to recipients without LocalSend installed via a shareable link or QR code.

Alternatively, you can send files directly from your file explorer by selecting the file, tapping the share icon, and choosing LocalSend from the list of services offered. Check out Nearby Share's tips and tricks that make it superior to Airdrop.

Use LocalSend to transfer files from computer to phone

LocalSend has a common interface and works similarly across all platforms, so there’s not much difference between sending from a phone and sending from a computer. Again, you need to install the app to send files, but not necessarily to receive them.

After installing the app, you can select the files you want to send by tapping a file in the selection pane. If the receiving device is connected to your local network, it should appear under Nearby devices. Tap the refresh icon if the other device doesn't appear right away.

The file transfer will start as soon as you select the device to send it to. File transfers using LocalSend are very fast, which is useful when you want to send multiple large documents, photos, and videos.

advice: If you prefer not to approve every file transfer, turn on Quick Save in Settings. Keep this feature off if you are not connected to a private local network.

On desktop computers, you can turn on the Auto-start after login option from the Settings menu to keep the app always running. There's no such option in the mobile app, so you'll need to make sure LocalSend is active before you start transfers.

Other options you may want to consider modifying include:

1. Automatic termination: This option completes transfers automatically and is disabled by default.
2. PIN required: Enabling this option allows you to set a PIN that the sender must enter to transfer files to your devices.
3. Save to folder: This setting allows you to choose a default folder for incoming transfers.
4. Save to history: Received files are logged in the log by default. You can view them by clicking the icon at the top of the “Receive” tab.
5. AnimationYou can turn off animations to reduce the amount of memory the app uses.

LocalSend is not the only alternative to Airdrop. There are many other options such as Snapdrop and PairDrop and AirDroid and KDE ConnectHowever, LocalSend is simple, doesn’t require an account, works offline, and is often more reliable than the alternatives available. You can now check out the best apps for transferring files between Android and Linux.