LocalSend
Share files to nearby devices over local network
Quick Take: LocalSend
LocalSend solved a problem that has annoyed people for over a decade: how do you quickly move a file from a Mac to a Windows PC (or Android phone) without cloud uploads, email attachments, or USB cables? The answer is LocalSend. Install it on all your devices, and file sharing becomes as simple as it should be—pick a device, pick a file, send. The cross-platform support is complete, the encryption is real, and it's free on every platform. The only friction point is that both devices need the app installed and on the same network. That's a fair trade for not relying on anyone's cloud.
Best For
- •Multi-Platform Households and Teams
- •Developers with Mac and Windows/Linux Machines
- •Anyone Tired of Emailing Files to Themselves
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask localsendWhat is LocalSend?
LocalSend is the file-sharing app that AirDrop should have been—if AirDrop worked with Windows, Linux, and Android. It lets you send files, photos, folders, and text between devices on the same local network without needing an internet connection, a cloud account, or any setup beyond installing the app. Open LocalSend on two devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. They discover each other automatically. Select a file on one device, tap the other device's name, and the file transfers directly over your local network. No cloud server involved. No file size limits. No compression. No account creation. The transfer uses TLS encryption over HTTPS, so it's secure even on public Wi-Fi. Files go directly from sender to receiver without touching any intermediate server. LocalSend works on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. This cross-platform support is its killer feature. AirDrop only works between Apple devices. Nearby Share (Google) only works between Android and Chrome OS. LocalSend works between all of them. Send a file from your iPhone to your Linux desktop. Transfer photos from your Android phone to your Mac. Share a folder between your Windows work laptop and your macOS personal machine. No ecosystem boundaries. The app is open-source (MIT license), built with Flutter, and maintained by Tien Do Nam and a growing community of contributors on GitHub. It uses a REST API over the local network for device discovery and file transfer. The protocol is documented, which means other apps could implement LocalSend compatibility. There's also a CLI mode for scripting and headless servers. LocalSend is what file sharing between devices should always have been: fast, private, cross-platform, and free. No dongles, no cables, no cloud, no accounts.
Deep Dive: How LocalSend Became the Cross-Platform AirDrop
The protocol design, why Flutter was the right choice, and what makes local-first file sharing harder than it sounds.
History & Background
LocalSend was created in late 2022 by Tien Do Nam, a developer frustrated by the lack of a simple, cross-platform file sharing solution. AirDrop worked perfectly between Apple devices but ignored the rest of the world. Alternatives like Snapdrop required a web browser and internet connection. KDE Connect was Linux-centric. LocalSend aimed to be the universal solution: install once on every device, and file sharing just works. The project went viral on GitHub in 2023, hitting 10,000 stars within weeks and eventually surpassing 50,000—making it one of the most-starred open-source projects of 2024.
How It Works
LocalSend uses a custom REST-based protocol over HTTPS. When you open the app, it broadcasts its presence via multicast DNS (mDNS/Bonjour). Other LocalSend instances on the same network discover it and display it in the device list. When you initiate a transfer, the sender creates a TLS connection directly to the receiver and streams the file over HTTPS. Each device generates a self-signed certificate for encryption, and certificate fingerprints are displayed for manual verification if needed. The protocol is documented openly in the repository.
Ecosystem & Integrations
LocalSend's cross-platform availability—macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS—is enabled by Flutter, Google's cross-platform UI framework. While the Flutter UI doesn't feel perfectly native on any single platform, it lets one codebase run everywhere with acceptable quality. Platform-specific code handles mDNS discovery, file system access, and network permissions. The community has contributed integrations with Linux desktop environments (GNOME, KDE), Android share sheets, and iOS share extensions.
Future Development
LocalSend's roadmap includes improved large-file performance (chunked transfers with resume support), a 'nearby' mode that works without any existing network (using Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth discovery), and integration with system share menus on all platforms. The developer has also expressed interest in a CLI version for servers and headless environments.
Key Features
Cross-Platform Discovery
LocalSend uses multicast DNS (mDNS) to find other LocalSend instances on the same network. Open the app on your Mac and your Android phone, and they see each other within seconds. No pairing codes, no QR scanning, no adding contacts. Any device running LocalSend on the same network appears automatically. This works across macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS—the cross-platform support AirDrop has always lacked.
LAN-Speed File Transfer
Files transfer over your local network at full LAN speed. On a modern Wi-Fi 6 network, that's 50-100 MB/s. On Ethernet (if both devices are wired), it's even faster. A 1GB video file transfers in about 10-20 seconds. There's no upload to a cloud server and no download from one—the file goes directly from device A to device B over your local network. For large files, the speed difference compared to cloud-based methods is enormous.
No Internet Required
LocalSend works without any internet connection. If you're on an airplane, in a remote location, or on a network without internet access, file sharing still works as long as both devices are on the same local network (or connected via a mobile hotspot). This matters for travelers, field workers, and anyone in environments where internet is unreliable.
End-to-End Encryption
All transfers are encrypted using TLS with self-signed certificates generated on each device. The encryption happens directly between sender and receiver—there's no middleman server to intercept traffic. Even on a shared public Wi-Fi network, your file transfers are protected from eavesdropping. The protocol is documented and open-source, so the encryption claims are verifiable.
Multiple File Types
LocalSend handles more than just files. You can send individual files, entire folders (preserved with directory structure), photos from your camera roll, clipboard text, and even app-to-app data on mobile. The receiver gets a notification with the sender's name and file details, and can accept or decline. Files are saved to a configurable download directory.
Zero Configuration
There is nothing to set up. No account creation, no login, no friend codes, no device pairing. Install LocalSend on two devices, open both, and they find each other. The simplicity is the point. Your parents can use this. Your non-technical colleagues can use this. It just works.
Who Should Use LocalSend?
1The Mixed-OS Household
A family has a MacBook, a Windows gaming PC, an Android phone, and an iPad. They want to share vacation photos, homework documents, and downloaded files between all four devices. AirDrop only works between the Mac and iPad. LocalSend works between all of them. Dad takes photos on the Android phone, sends them to the Mac for editing, then sends the edited versions to the iPad for viewing on the couch. No cloud accounts, no USB cables, no email attachments.
2The Developer Moving Files Between Machines
A developer has a MacBook Pro for personal projects and a Windows work laptop (corporate-locked, no AirDrop). They need to transfer a config file, a database dump, and a screenshot from Mac to Windows. They open LocalSend on both machines, drag the files, and they transfer in seconds. Previously, this involved emailing themselves or uploading to Google Drive and downloading on the other machine.
3The Conference Presenter
A speaker at a conference needs to share their slide deck with another presenter who uses Linux. The conference Wi-Fi has no internet, just a local network. AirDrop doesn't work (wrong OS). Cloud upload doesn't work (no internet). They both open LocalSend, and the 200MB presentation file transfers over the local network in about 4 seconds. Problem solved without touching any cable or adapter.
How to Install LocalSend on Mac
LocalSend installs via Homebrew Cask. For other platforms, download from localsend.org or the respective app store.
Install on Mac via Homebrew
Run `brew install --cask localsend` in your terminal. This installs LocalSend to your Applications folder.
Install on Other Devices
Download LocalSend on your other devices: Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS, Microsoft Store for Windows, or Flathub/Snap for Linux. All versions use the same protocol.
Connect to the Same Network
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If no Wi-Fi is available, one device can create a hotspot and the other can connect to it.
Start Sharing
Open LocalSend on both devices. They'll discover each other automatically. Select the target device, choose your files, and send. The receiver sees a notification and can accept the transfer.
Pro Tips
- • Set a recognizable device name in LocalSend settings so your devices are easy to identify on busy networks.
- • Enable 'Quick Save' to auto-accept files from trusted devices without confirmation prompts.
- • If devices don't discover each other, check that your network's 'client isolation' is turned off (common on coffee shop Wi-Fi).
Configuration Tips
Set a Custom Save Directory
By default, LocalSend saves received files to your Downloads folder. In Settings, change the save location to a dedicated folder (like ~/Received) to keep transferred files organized and separate from browser downloads.
Use Quick Save for Trusted Devices
If you frequently transfer files between the same two devices, enable 'Quick Save' mode. Incoming files from known devices are automatically accepted and saved without requiring you to tap 'Accept' each time. This is especially useful for Mac-to-phone workflows where you send screenshots or build artifacts multiple times a day.
Alternatives to LocalSend
LocalSend is the best cross-platform local file sharing tool, but other options exist for specific scenarios.
AirDrop
AirDrop is Apple's built-in sharing and works flawlessly between Apple devices—faster discovery, tighter OS integration, no app needed. But it only works between Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad). If all your devices are Apple, AirDrop is better. If even one device is Windows, Android, or Linux, LocalSend is the only option.
Snapdrop / PairDrop
Snapdrop and its fork PairDrop use WebRTC for browser-based file sharing. They work without installing an app—just open a web page on both devices. The limitation is that they require a signaling server (internet connection) for discovery, and transfer speeds are typically slower than LocalSend's native implementation. LocalSend is better for regular use; PairDrop is handy when you can't install apps.
Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a file transfer client for FTP, SFTP, S3, and cloud storage—it's for server-to-client transfers, not device-to-device local sharing. Use Cyberduck for uploading to servers and cloud storage. Use LocalSend for quick device-to-device file transfers.
Pricing
LocalSend is free on all platforms. The macOS, Windows, and Linux versions are free downloads. The Android version is free on Google Play and F-Droid. The iOS version is free on the App Store. There are no paid features, ads, or in-app purchases. The project is open-source under the MIT License and funded by community donations.
Pros
- ✓Works across macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS
- ✓No internet connection required—fully local network
- ✓End-to-end encrypted transfers via TLS
- ✓No accounts, no sign-ups, no pairing—zero configuration
- ✓LAN-speed transfers (50-100 MB/s on Wi-Fi 6)
- ✓Sends files, folders, photos, and clipboard text
- ✓Free on all platforms, no ads, open-source (MIT)
- ✓Lightweight and fast to install
Cons
- ✗Both devices must be on the same local network (no internet relay)
- ✗Transfer speed depends on your Wi-Fi quality (slow on old routers)
- ✗No file sync or automatic background transfers
- ✗Discovery can fail on networks with client isolation enabled
- ✗Flutter-based UI doesn't feel fully native on macOS (functional but slightly generic)
Community & Support
LocalSend has a strong open-source community on GitHub with over 50,000 stars, making it one of the most popular open-source apps of 2024-2025. The project accepts translations, bug fixes, and feature contributions from the community. Discussion happens on GitHub Issues and Discussions. The app has been translated into 30+ languages by community contributors. The developer, Tien Do Nam, is responsive to issues and regularly releases updates across all platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions about LocalSend
Our Verdict
LocalSend solved a problem that has annoyed people for over a decade: how do you quickly move a file from a Mac to a Windows PC (or Android phone) without cloud uploads, email attachments, or USB cables? The answer is LocalSend. Install it on all your devices, and file sharing becomes as simple as it should be—pick a device, pick a file, send. The cross-platform support is complete, the encryption is real, and it's free on every platform. The only friction point is that both devices need the app installed and on the same network. That's a fair trade for not relying on anyone's cloud.
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Related Technologies & Concepts
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Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 23, 2026
- 1LocalSend GitHub Repository
Accessed Feb 23, 2026
Research queries: LocalSend cross-platform file sharing 2026