The Best AirDrop Alternative for Any Device
Send photos, videos, and documents between iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows directly in your browser. No apps, no cables, no cloud uploads. 100% private, direct P2P transfer.
- No app required
- Cross-platform
- Up to 10GB
- No upload
Send files to any device
No app. No account. Works on iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, Linux. Any device with a browser.
Why use this instead of AirDrop?
AirDrop is great if both devices are Apple and next to each other. This tool does what AirDrop can't.
Works across ANY device
iPhone to Windows PC. Android to Mac. Chromebook to iPad. AirDrop can't do this. This can.
Zero install, zero account
No app store, no sign-up, no permissions. Just open a link, scan a QR, send. Done in 5 seconds.
Direct P2P: files never touch a server
On the same Wi-Fi, your file travels straight between devices. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored.
Same Wi-Fi = free & unlimited
Both devices on one Wi-Fi? The transfer is pure P2P, with no data cap, no cost and no relay. Ever.
Up to 10 files or 10 GB
Send a whole folder, a mix of files, or one huge 10 GB video. No compression, no quality loss.
No upload wait
Files are not uploaded to any server first. Once you confirm, the transfer starts right away and goes straight to the other device.
Best case: both devices on the same Wi-Fi. The transfer is pure direct P2P, free and unlimited, with no server involved.
Note: A native tool like AirDrop may be faster for very large files between two Apple devices. This tool wins on compatibility. It works on any device with a browser.
How do I send files between different devices for free?
Open ToolDeck on both devices. Choose "Send Files" on the sending device to generate a QR code, and "Receive Files" on the other device to scan it. Once connected, you can send up to 10GB of files directly over your local Wi-Fi network without using any apps.
- Price
- Free: no account, no ads inside the tool
- App required?
- No. Runs 100% in your web browser
- Upload required?
- No. Direct P2P transfer (files never touch a server)
- Max file size
- 10 GB per file
- Max files per batch
- 10 files
- Works on
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Best connection
- Same Wi-Fi network (up to 50 MB/s)
- Privacy
- End-to-end encrypted via WebRTC
- Pairing method
- QR code or 10-character room code
- Offline?
- Requires internet for pairing, then local Wi-Fi for transfer
- Last updated
- Recently
How to transfer files in 3 steps
- 1
Open on both devices
Go to this page on both the sending and receiving devices. We recommend both being on the same Wi-Fi network for maximum speed.
- 2
Connect via QR code
On the sending device, click "Send Files" to generate a QR code. On the receiving device, click "Receive Files" and scan the QR code (or type the 10-character code).
- 3
Select and transfer
Once connected, choose up to 10 files (or a folder) and hit send. The files travel directly from device to device over an encrypted connection. No server storage.
What can you do with this tool?
From moving photos to sending huge video files, here is how people use ToolDeck Drop.
| Use case | What you can do | Output |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone to Windows PC | Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone to a Windows computer without iTunes or a USB cable. | Download files directly |
| Android to MacBook | Move files from an Android phone to a Mac without installing Android File Transfer. | Send via WebRTC |
| Sending to a guest | Share a file with a friend or client on your Wi-Fi without asking them to join your Apple ID or install an app. | Pair with QR code |
| Cross-OS team sharing | Send design files or documents between a Linux workstation and a Windows laptop seamlessly. | Direct P2P |
| Mobile to Mobile | Share photos instantly between an Android phone and an iPhone at a party or event. | No data compression |
| Large media backups | Send 4K video files up to 10GB from your phone to your laptop for editing. | Transfer up to 10GB |
Who this is best for (and when it is not)
Best for
- Cross-platform file sharing (Apple to Windows, Android to Mac)
- People who do not want to install apps like ShareIt or Send Anywhere
- Sharing files privately without uploading to Google Drive or iCloud
- Quickly moving large 4K videos between devices
Not ideal for
- Sending files to someone who is not nearby and cannot scan a QR code (use a cloud service instead)
- Sending files over mobile data (cellular is slow and may force a relay server)
- Transferring an entire 100GB hard drive (the limit is 10GB per file)
Ways to transfer files, compared
There are many ways to send files. Browser-based P2P is the only method that works across all ecosystems without uploading to the cloud.
| Method | Quality | Works best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser WebRTC (this tool) | High: direct P2P, max speed on Wi-Fi | Cross-platform sharing, quick transfers | Both devices must be awake and on the page |
| Apple AirDrop | High | Apple to Apple devices only | Does not work with Android or Windows |
| Cloud Storage (Drive/iCloud) | High | Sending to someone far away | Requires uploading, slow, uses data, files stored on servers |
| Messaging Apps (WhatsApp) | Low: heavy compression | Quick sharing of small, non-critical images | Destroys video quality, limits file size |
File Transfer Glossary: P2P, WebRTC, QR Codes
- AirDrop
- Apple’s proprietary wireless file transfer feature that only works between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
- WebRTC
- Web Real-Time Communication. A technology built into browsers that allows direct, encrypted peer-to-peer connections for video, audio, and data transfer.
- P2P (Peer-to-Peer)
- A network where two devices connect directly to each other, rather than going through a central server. This is faster and more private.
- QR Code Pairing
- Scanning a square barcode to instantly connect two devices without typing long URLs or codes.
- TURN/STUN Server
- Servers used briefly to help two devices find each other on the internet if they are behind strict firewalls or using mobile data.
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- When devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi router. Transfer speeds over LAN are much faster than over the internet.
File transfer not working? Try these fixes
The connection failed or timed out
Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If one is on mobile data, switch it to Wi-Fi. Strict firewalls (like corporate or school Wi-Fi) can block P2P connections.
Transfer is very slow
Check the connection badge inside the tool. If it says "Relay Server", it means the devices cannot connect directly and are routing through the internet. Move closer to the router or switch networks.
The file stops at 99%
This usually means the browser is saving the file to disk. Large files (over 2GB) take a few seconds to assemble. Do not close the tab.
Mobile data will not work
Due to carrier NATs, direct P2P over mobile data is often blocked. Use a Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot for both devices.
I cannot scan the QR code
Ensure the camera has permission. Alternatively, type the 10-character code displayed under the QR code on the receiving device.
The receiving device ran out of storage
The tool needs local storage to save the received file. Free up space on your phone or PC and try again.
ToolDeck vs Apple AirDrop
AirDrop is fantastic, but it only works if both devices are Apple. ToolDeck works everywhere and doesn't require any installations.
| Feature | TToolDeck | AirDrop |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | no (AirDrop is Apple only) |
| No app download required | Yes | no (often requires an app) |
| No file size limit (up to 10GB) | Yes | Varies, often limits at 2GB |
| No uploads to a cloud server | Yes | no (most use cloud servers) |
| No account needed | Yes | Often requires signup |
| Works offline (after pairing) | Yes | No |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | Yes |
Competitor features vary by provider and plan. Based on commonly available behaviour; verify each tool before relying on it for professional work.
What you get for free
Truly Cross-Platform
Break free from the Apple ecosystem. Send files from an Android phone to a Mac, or an iPhone to a Windows PC without any software.
No App Installs
Stop installing bulky apps like ShareIt or Send Anywhere. ToolDeck runs purely in Safari, Chrome, or Edge.
Direct P2P Transfer
Files travel directly from device to device over an encrypted WebRTC connection. They never touch our servers.
Lightning Fast on Wi-Fi
When both devices are on the same router, files transfer at local network speeds—up to 50 MB/s.
10GB File Support
Send massive 4K video files or heavy zip archives without worrying about compression or arbitrary limits.
QR Code Pairing
Just scan the screen with your camera to connect the devices. No typing long IP addresses or URLs.
Tips for the fastest transfer
Use the same Wi-Fi network
For the fastest and most reliable connection, put both the sending and receiving devices on the same Wi-Fi router.
Keep screens awake
Both browsers must stay open and active during the transfer. Do not lock your phone or let it go to sleep, or the connection will drop.
Check your storage
If you are sending a 10GB file, make sure the receiving device has at least 10GB of free storage available before starting.
Public Wi-Fi warning
While the transfer is encrypted, public Wi-Fi networks (like at a coffee shop) often block device-to-device connections for security. Use a mobile hotspot if needed.
Verify the receiver
When you scan the QR code, ensure you are sending it to the right person by checking the device name or screen.
How this tool works under the hood
ToolDeck uses WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), the same technology that powers video calls in your browser. When you scan the QR code, a small STUN server helps your two devices find each other. Once they connect, the files are split into small chunks and sent directly over an encrypted DTLS tunnel. If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, the data travels locally through your router. It is fast, private, and no file ever touches a cloud server.
AirDrop Alternative FAQ
Quick answers about privacy, speed, compatibility, and limits.
What is the best AirDrop alternative for Android and Windows?
ToolDeck is the best browser-based AirDrop alternative. It works instantly on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux without installing any apps or creating accounts.
How do I send files from an iPhone to a Windows PC?
Open ToolDeck on both devices. On the iPhone, click "Send Files" to get a QR code. On the Windows PC, click "Receive Files" and scan the QR code (or type the code). You can then select photos or videos from your iPhone and send them directly to the PC.
Is there a file size limit?
You can send up to 10 files per batch, and each file can be up to 10GB in size. This is much higher than most free file transfer tools.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. We use WebRTC technology to create a direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between your devices. Your files go straight from your phone to your PC, ensuring maximum privacy.
Why do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi?
When both devices are on the same Wi-Fi router, the data travels directly over your local network. This is extremely fast (up to 50MB/s) and doesn't use your internet data.
Does this work without internet?
You need a brief internet connection to load the webpage and pair the devices (via QR code). After that, if both are on the same Wi-Fi, the file transfer happens locally without needing the internet.
Do I need to install an app on my iPhone or Android?
No. ToolDeck runs entirely inside your web browser (Safari, Chrome, Edge). You don't need to download anything from the App Store or Google Play.
Why is mobile data not recommended?
Mobile carriers use strict NATs (Network Address Translation) that prevent direct device-to-device connections. If you use mobile data, the transfer may fall back to a slower relay server or fail completely.
What happens if my screen turns off?
The transfer will pause or fail. Browsers suspend background tabs to save battery. Please keep both screens on and the browser window open until the transfer is complete.
Is it safe to transfer sensitive files?
Yes. The connection is encrypted end-to-end using DTLS/SRTP. The file is never stored on our servers, and the room code ensures only the paired device can connect.
Can I send multiple files at once?
Yes, you can select up to 10 files at once, or choose an entire folder to send in a single batch.
What is the "Relay Server" badge?
If the devices cannot connect directly (e.g., due to a strict firewall), the tool uses a TURN relay server to pass the data. It works, but it is slower than a direct P2P connection.
More free file transfer tools
Move files between any devices. Nothing uploaded, ever.
Your files never touch our servers
There is no upload step. The files are sent directly between your devices using WebRTC. We do not have access to your data, and nothing is stored after the transfer. Read how we keep it private.