# LocalSend — Share Files Across Devices Without the Internet

> LocalSend is a free, open-source cross-platform app that lets you share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network. No internet connection or external server required.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# LocalSend — Share Files Across Devices Without the Internet

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install on various platforms
# macOS
brew install localsend

# Linux (Flatpak)
flatpak install flathub org.localsend.localsend_app

# Windows (winget)
winget install LocalSend.LocalSend
```

## Introduction
LocalSend is a cross-platform file-sharing application that works entirely over your local Wi-Fi network. It eliminates the need for cloud services, USB drives, or internet access when transferring files between devices. The app is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it a true universal solution for nearby file sharing.

## What LocalSend Does
- Discovers nearby devices automatically on the same local network using multicast/REST-based protocol
- Transfers files of any size and type between different operating systems without compression or quality loss
- Sends text messages and clipboard content alongside files
- Works without any account creation, login, or cloud dependency
- Encrypts all transfers using HTTPS with TLS/SSL and self-signed certificates

## Architecture Overview
LocalSend uses a custom REST-based protocol for device discovery and file transfer. Each device runs a small HTTPS server and announces itself via UDP multicast on the local network. When a user selects files and a target device, the sender initiates a TLS-encrypted HTTP connection directly to the receiver. The entire application is built with Flutter, which allows a single codebase to target all major desktop and mobile platforms.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- No server or cloud component needed; the app runs entirely peer-to-peer on LAN
- Configurable port number if the default port conflicts with other services
- Optional PIN or confirmation-based receiving for added security
- Supports both multicast discovery and manual IP entry for networks that block multicast
- Available as Flatpak, Snap, AppImage, MSI, DMG, APK, and via package managers

## Key Features
- Zero-configuration: open the app, pick a device, and send
- No file size limits or throttling since transfers happen over local network
- Cross-platform support for all five major desktop and mobile operating systems
- Privacy-first design with no telemetry, tracking, or data collection
- Fully offline operation without any internet dependency

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **AirDrop** — Apple-only; LocalSend works across all platforms
- **Snapdrop/PairDrop** — browser-based; LocalSend is a native app with better large-file handling
- **KDE Connect** — Linux/Android focused with broader feature scope; LocalSend is simpler and covers iOS/Windows too
- **Nearby Share (Quick Share)** — Google ecosystem; LocalSend is open-source and platform-agnostic
- **SHAREit** — proprietary with ads; LocalSend is ad-free and open-source

## FAQ
**Q: Does LocalSend work without Wi-Fi?**
A: It requires a local network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). It does not use Bluetooth or mobile data.

**Q: Is there a file size limit?**
A: No. Since files transfer directly over LAN, the only limit is your available disk space.

**Q: Can I use it between networks or over the internet?**
A: By design it works on a single LAN. You can use manual IP entry with port forwarding, but that is not the intended use case.

**Q: How is the transfer secured?**
A: All connections use HTTPS with self-signed TLS certificates generated on each device.

## Sources
- https://github.com/localsend/localsend
- https://localsend.org

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/94b47cdf-403e-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot