LocalSend — Share Files Across Devices Without the Internet

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