Unlike the operating-system-specific AirDrop, LocalSend is open source, multiplatform file sharing tool [1][2]. Developed using the Flutter framework, LocalSend offers a consistent user interface across various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. LocalSend operates on a decentralized peer-to-peer protocol, ensuring that data does not pass through a proprietary server. Privacy is safeguarded with end-to-end encryption, protecting users from unauthorized access. Additionally, no registration or personal information is required. If you are looking for an alternative to Apple's AirDrop, LocalSend offers quick and convenient data transfer capabilities.

Installation and Configuration

LocalSend's installation and configuration are simple and straightforward. The easiest way to download LocalSend is from its download page [3]. On Linux, you can proceed by downloading the binary files or relying on your package manager. If you choose the binary route, you only need to extract the archive, which contains the application and the necessary support files. Available archive formats include TAR, DEB, and AppImage. Once the archive is extracted, simply click on the corresponding icon and launch the LocalSend executable to start the graphical interface. If you prefer to proceed from the terminal using a TAR archive, simply type the following to decompress it and launch the application:

tar -xf LocalSend-1.15.2-linux-x86-64.tar.gz
localsend_app

You can also download LocalSend from the Snap Store. Just search for the string LocalSend and click the Install button. Finally, you can proceed with the installation via the command line using Flathub or Snap. With Flathub, type

flatpak install flathub org.localsend.Localsend

To use Snap, type

sudo snap install localsend

On Android, LocalSend can be downloaded and installed through the Play Store (or an alternative store such as F-Droid). Alternatively, the APK file is available on the website [3]. Once this file is saved on your smartphone, navigate to the destination folder using a filesystem navigation app (such as Files). You will need to open the APK file to proceed with the installation, which requires enabling side loading. If you are using Android 13, you will be prompted to enable this option as soon as you start the installation. Just switch the toggle on the active state to proceed. LocalSend does not require any configuration and works immediately after installation. The only condition is that the devices must be connected to the same WiFi network.

Getting Started

LocalSend's interface is sleek and well organized, ensuring user-friendly navigation. It serves as an excellent example of adaptive design, seamlessly adjusting to the device you're using. Notably, the desktop version features a left-side menu (Figure 1), while the smartphone version opts for a bottom toolbar (Figure 2). Every device is assigned a whimsical name, such as "Good Raspberry" or "Cool Pumpkin," and a code, which corresponds to the last digits of the device's local IP address, preceded by the # symbol. For instance, if a device has the IP address 194.184.145.117, its code would be #117.

Figure 1: LocalSend's interface seamlessly adjusts to your device. The desktop version features a left-side menu …

Figure 2: … while the smartphone version moves the menu to a bottom toolbar.

Regardless of orientation, the menu provides access to sections dedicated to file transfer, settings, and more. To transfer files, folders, text messages, or clipboard content, designate one device as the client (by selecting Send) and the other as the server (by selecting Receive). Enabling Quick Save mode automatically accepts receive requests, and downloads begin promptly. By clicking on Receive, you can find the device's IP address, listening port, and a history of exchanged files. Within the History section, you can either delete individual items or the entire history, open received files, and view details such as name, path, size, sender, and reception date and time.

Additionally, mobile devices can send apps; Android users, for example, can select APK packages from their installed apps. On Android and iOS, LocalSend is integrated into the sharing widgets, making it easy to exchange data between devices, similar to a copy-and-paste function. The list of nearby devices updates automatically, but you can also refresh it manually. Notable sending options include the ability to send a file to multiple recipients at once and to share an item via a download link if the recipient doesn't have LocalSend installed.

Settings lets you to customize the interface in terms of theme, color, and language. In the Receive section, you can enable Quick Save (accepting and starting downloads without explicit user authorization), choose the destination folder, enable automatic saving of media to the gallery, set the related dialog box to close automatically at the end of downloads, and save transfers in the history. In the Network section, users can disable or restart the server function for reception and change the device name. The Other section provides access to the application's credits page, a donation link to support the project, and the privacy policy. If you check Advanced settings, you can enable or disable graphical interface animations and end-to-end encryption, as well as manually select the type of device in use or set the model name, server listening port, and multicast address. For more information on the multicast concept, refer to Wikipedia [4].

Transferring Between Linux and Android Devices

LocalSend lets you transfer files between Linux and Android devices. To send a file from a Linux laptop to an Android phone, both devices must be connected to the same WiFi network and have LocalSend installed. Run the application on both devices. On Linux, click on the Send button and select the file you want to send. LocalSend will scan for available devices on the same network (Figure 3). On Android, tap the Receive button. LocalSend will start searching for devices sending files. Once the Linux device appears on your Android device, you will receive a notification or prompt to accept the incoming file (Figure 4). After accepting the file on the receiving device, the transfer will start (Figure 5). Once completed, you can find the received file in the designated folder on the Android device. Because the interface is the same across platforms, simply reverse the instructions to transfer files from Android to Linux. Of course, file transfers can also occur between devices of the same type (e.g., two or more smartphones or two or more desktop environments).

Figure 3: LocalSend scans for available devices on a network.

Figure 4: LocalSend notifies you that another device wants to send you a file.

Figure 5: Upon clicking Accept, LocalSend shows you details of the file transfer.