FREE APP

LocalSend: free file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud

By AiCoN | Published 15 October 2026 | Sources checked 15 October 2026

Scoped recheck: 24 October 2026. The project's GitHub download table no longer lists the Microsoft Store for Windows; it now lists Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, an EXE installer and a portable ZIP. We updated the "How to get it" list. The homepage still says 100% free with no ads, no tracking and no account, and the privacy policy is still dated 8 May 2024. Original publication date unchanged.

LocalSend says it is a 100% free, open source app that sends files between nearby devices over your Wi-Fi, with no account and no cloud upload.

Official app preview

LocalSend official mobile receiving screen with sample device name Fast Papaya and Quick Save off — Official LocalSend homepage mobile preview showing the Receive screen and Quick Save choices. “Fast Papaya” is the publisher’s sample device name, not an AiCoN or user device. Credit: Tien Nam Do and LocalSend website contributors, Apache License 2.0 under the website repository licence. Original image unaltered, displayed smaller. Version is not verified; this is not an AiCoN transfer or privacy test. Official source. Open original 1080 × 2340 image. Media checked 23 October 2026. Independent guide, not sponsored.

What it is

LocalSend is a free app for sending files between devices that are on the same Wi-Fi network, with no cloud upload. Its developers describe it as "free, open-source" and say it lets you share files and messages with nearby devices without an internet connection. It works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, so it can move photos from an iPhone to a Windows laptop, for example. It is not an AI tool. We included it as a free, official, no-account tool.

Is it free?

Yes. The LocalSend site asks "Is it really free?" and answers: "Yes, LocalSend is 100% free and open source. There are no ads, no tracking, and no hidden costs."

How it works, per LocalSend

Install it on both devices and open it. The site says there is no account, no login and no servers.
Choose photos, videos, documents or text, then tap the nearby device.
Transfers go over your local Wi-Fi network. The site says your data never leaves your local network and it works offline, but both devices need to be on the same network.
The FAQ says transfers use HTTPS encryption, and you can turn on PIN verification.
Received files go to the Downloads folder by default, which you can change.

How to get it

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Amazon Fire OS, per the project's GitHub page.
Where: the GitHub page's download table lists Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, an EXE installer and a portable ZIP for Windows; the Mac App Store, Homebrew and a DMG for macOS; Flathub, Nixpkgs, Snap, AUR, TAR, DEB and AppImage for Linux; Google Play, F-Droid and an APK for Android; the iOS App Store; and Amazon for Fire OS. It recommends an app store or package manager because the app has no auto-update.
Minimum versions: Android 7.0, iOS 13, macOS 11, Windows 10, per the same page.
Firewall: if sending fails, the project says to allow incoming TCP and UDP on port 53317.

What to watch out for

It needs both devices on one network. It does not send over mobile data or the internet.
Public or guest Wi-Fi, such as in cafes or hotels, may block devices from seeing each other. We did not test this.
Install it only from the official sources above. The project warns that an "unofficial MSIX preview" exists on another site.
Only accept transfers you expect, and consider turning on the PIN option.

Privacy and data

LocalSend's privacy policy (last updated 8 May 2024) says it does not collect, store, process or use any personal or non-personal data while you use the app.
The policy says your phone's operating system, device maker and other apps may still collect data, and LocalSend does not control that.

India

We saw no country restriction on the pages we read. We did not test the app listings from India.

AiCoN checkRead the LocalSend homepage and privacy policy and the project's GitHub README on 15 October 2026. We did not install or test LocalSend.

Frequently asked questions

Is LocalSend free?

Yes. Its site says it is 100% free and open source with no ads, tracking or hidden costs.

Do I need internet or an account?

LocalSend says no account is needed and no internet is required. Devices need to share a local network.

Which devices work?

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, per the project.

Sources: LocalSend homepage, Privacy policy, GitHub README. Checked 15 October 2026.

Scoped recheck: LocalSend on GitHub, LocalSend homepage, privacy policy. Checked 24 October 2026. We did not install or test the app.

LocalSend branding appears only in the documented publisher interface example above. Independent guide, not affiliated.

Official homepage, download page, privacy policy and website repository licence rechecked 23 October 2026. The privacy policy remains dated 8 May 2024; its no-data-collection statement is the project’s claim, with the operating-system/device-maker caveat retained. This screenshot does not verify device compatibility or transfer security. Other claims retain their original source-check date. Original publication date is unchanged.