Yes—you can use LocalSend to send files between an iPhone and a Windows PC. Install the app on both devices, connect them to a local network that allows them to communicate, then choose the destination in LocalSend. It is a free, open-source alternative for cross-platform local transfers, not an Apple AirDrop feature or a cloud-storage service.
Can you AirDrop from an iPhone to Windows?
Apple AirDrop is not the route for sending directly from an iPhone to a Windows PC. LocalSend provides a similar nearby-device workflow across platforms: the project lists support for iOS 13 and Windows 10 as minimum versions. On iOS, sharing content from other apps requires iOS 14 or later. Check the LocalSend website and its official repository for current platform and distribution details.
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Unlike a cloud handoff, LocalSend transfers content over a local network. Its project documentation says transfers do not require internet access, an account, or a third-party server. Both devices must have LocalSend available and be able to communicate with each other on the network. You can send files or messages.
How to install LocalSend on iPhone and Windows
Use the project’s current download page or the official store and package-manager links listed in its repository. The project recommends installing through a store or package manager because the app does not have an auto-update feature. Its README lists the App Store for iOS and, for Windows, Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, and official installers. Availability may change, so use the project’s links rather than an unofficial download site.
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- Install LocalSend on the iPhone. Find it through the App Store link on the LocalSend project site.
- Install LocalSend on the PC. Choose a Windows option linked from the official project page or repository.
- Open LocalSend on both devices. Keep both apps open while you start the transfer.
- Connect both devices to a mutually reachable local network. They do not need internet access for the transfer, but the network must allow local devices to communicate.
How to send a file from iPhone to Windows
- On the iPhone, select the content. In LocalSend, choose the files or text you want to share. If starting from another iOS app, use its share option; that workflow requires iOS 14 or later.
- Choose the Windows PC shown as a nearby destination. Confirm that the device name is the one you intend to use.
- Accept the incoming transfer on the receiving device if prompted. For sensitive content, check the destination carefully before accepting.
- Find the received item on the Windows PC. LocalSend’s FAQ says Downloads is the default location and that it can be changed in settings. Check the receiving device’s app settings, since file-location details can vary by platform.
The same basic process works in the other direction: open LocalSend on both devices, select content on the sender, choose the destination, and receive it on the other device.
Why LocalSend may not find the other device
The most common issue is not the file itself but whether the devices can discover and reach one another on the local network. The project says the app should work out of the box in most cases. If a device is missing or a transfer fails, check these items:
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- Local network communication: Make sure both devices are connected to a network that permits communication between local devices. Merely being connected to the same Wi-Fi name may not be enough if the network isolates clients.
- Windows firewall: Review the Windows firewall prompt or rules and allow LocalSend’s documented local-network traffic. The README specifies incoming TCP and UDP traffic on port 53317, plus outgoing TCP and UDP traffic on any port. Keep any exception limited to the app and the network profile you control rather than broadly weakening firewall protection.
- Router AP isolation: Some routers, particularly on guest networks, enable access-point isolation, which prevents connected devices from communicating with each other. If you control the network, check whether that setting is enabled and disable it only for a network where these devices should be able to communicate.
- App status: Open LocalSend on both devices and try discovery again after confirming the network and firewall settings.
What LocalSend says about security and privacy
LocalSend’s project documentation describes transfers as protected with HTTPS; its README says each device generates its own TLS/SSL certificate. The app also offers optional PIN verification. These are descriptions of the project’s design, not evidence of an independent security audit or a guarantee that every device, router, or surrounding network is secure. For a sensitive transfer, verify the receiving device and enable PIN verification if it suits your situation.
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In its privacy policy, last updated May 8, 2024, the project says it does not collect, store, process, or use personal or non-personal data through the app. The policy also notes that operating systems, device manufacturers, and other apps may collect data independently. That statement describes LocalSend’s own policy; it is not a blanket claim about all activity on an iPhone, Windows PC, or network.
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- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
LocalSend and AirDrop: the practical difference
| What matters | LocalSend | AirDrop |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone-to-Windows transfer | Supported by LocalSend’s listed iOS and Windows platforms. | Does not provide the iPhone-to-Windows workflow described here. |
| Network conditions | Devices need a local network that permits them to communicate; the project says internet access is not required. | Not covered by the LocalSend project sources cited here. |
| Account or server requirement | The project says no account, login, or third-party server is required for transfers. | Not covered by the LocalSend project sources cited here. |
| Setup and troubleshooting | Install on both devices; discovery can be affected by firewall rules or router isolation. | Not covered by the LocalSend project sources cited here. |
| Speed comparison | No independent, controlled comparison establishing transfer speed against AirDrop is available in the cited project sources. | No independent, controlled comparison establishing transfer speed against LocalSend is available in the cited project sources. |
For an iPhone-to-Windows transfer without a cloud intermediary, LocalSend addresses the platform gap. Its main practical dependency is a network that allows the two devices to find and reach each other.
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