If your iPhone and Windows PC are on the same local network, LocalSend can move a file between them without emailing it to yourself. It is a free, open-source app for nearby file and message sharing; it is not a replacement for cloud storage, remote access, or backup.
What LocalSend does—and how it differs from email
LocalSend lets nearby devices send files and messages to one another over a local network. The project describes its communication as using a REST API secured with HTTPS, with no internet connection or third-party server required for local transfers. That describes the app’s intended transfer path; it does not guarantee that every network environment is secure or that every transfer is risk-free. LocalSend’s official README explains its design.
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Email and cloud services can make a file available when devices are on different networks, but they send it through an online service. LocalSend is meant for devices that can communicate on the same local network. It avoids a third-party transfer server for that local exchange, but it is not a way to reach a device that is elsewhere, nor a backup system that keeps a separate copy for later.
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The project lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, as well as Fire OS as a distribution platform. The minimum versions shown in the project README accessed on October 7, 2026, are Android 7.0, iOS 13.0, macOS 11, and Windows 10. These requirements can change, so check the README and the relevant app listing before installing.
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Getting a transfer working
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Install LocalSend on both devices using an app store or package manager where available. The project says the app does not update itself automatically, so use the distribution channel you installed it from to check for updates.
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Connect both devices to a local network where they are allowed to communicate with one another. Being connected to the same Wi-Fi name does not always mean devices can see each other: router settings or network policies can block local traffic.
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Open LocalSend on each device, choose the file on the sending device, and select the intended nearby recipient when it appears. Follow the receiving device’s prompt to accept the transfer.
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If the recipient does not appear or the transfer fails, check whether the device firewall is blocking LocalSend traffic. Also check for AP isolation, a router feature that prevents wireless devices from communicating directly; it may be enabled on guest networks. A workplace or public network may restrict device-to-device connections, and you may not be able to change those settings yourself.
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When LocalSend is the right fit
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Use it for: moving a file between devices nearby, such as an iPhone and Windows PC that can communicate over the same local network.
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Use email or cloud storage instead: when devices are on different networks, someone needs access remotely, or you want a file stored online for later retrieval.
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Do not treat it as backup: a transfer copies a file to another device; it does not by itself provide a maintained, separate backup.
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The project’s releases page listed LocalSend v1.18.2, dated August 21, 2026, when checked for this article. That is a dated release snapshot, not a guarantee that it remains the latest version; see the official releases page for the current listing.
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