WiFi File Transfer: Share Files Locally
Send files at blazing fast speeds over your local Wi-Fi network. Perfect for when you want to share large files between devices without using your internet data. 100% private, direct P2P transfer.
- No data usage
- No app required
- Up to 10GB
- Direct P2P
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 transfer files over local Wi-Fi?
Open ToolDeck Drop 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 internet data.
- Price
- Free: no account, no ads inside the tool
- App required?
- No. Runs 100% in your web browser
- Data required?
- No. Files transfer locally over Wi-Fi
- 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 initial internet for pairing, then fully local
How to transfer files over Wi-Fi in 3 steps
- 1
Connect to the same Wi-Fi
Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi router or mobile hotspot. This allows for the fastest, data-free transfer.
- 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.
- 3
Select and transfer
Once connected, choose up to 10 files and hit send. The files travel directly through your local router to the other device.
What can you do with this tool?
From moving raw video files to sending massive archives, here is how people use ToolDeck for local transfers.
| Use case | What you can do | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Local Photo & Video Backup | Move heavy photos and videos from your phone to your laptop over Wi-Fi without using any cellular data. | Download original files |
| Offline Sharing | Share files with a friend or colleague on the same Wi-Fi network even if the internet is down or very slow. | Transfer directly |
| Large Archives on Hotspot | Send files between devices connected to your phone's mobile hotspot without using your mobile data plan. | Up to 10GB per file |
| Sharing with Guests | Send photos or documents to a guest on your Wi-Fi network without asking them to join your Apple ID or install apps. | Pair with QR code |
| Work & Documents | Move large PDFs or design files between a work laptop and a personal phone on the same office Wi-Fi. | Direct P2P |
| Media Editing | Send high-res video clips from your phone to your PC for editing in Premiere or DaVinci without uploading to the cloud. | No quality loss |
Who this is best for (and when it is not)
Best for
- Transferring files between devices on the same Wi-Fi without using internet data
- People with limited or metered internet data plans
- Sharing files at home or in the office where devices are on the same router
- Quickly moving large files on a local network without cloud uploads
Not ideal for
- Sending files to someone who is not on the same Wi-Fi network (use a cloud service or mobile data for that)
- Transferring an entire 500GB hard drive (limit is 10GB per file)
- Sending files on a public Wi-Fi network that blocks P2P connections
Ways to transfer files, compared
There are many ways to move files. Browser-based P2P over local Wi-Fi is the only method that is fast, private, and doesn't use your internet data.
| Method | Quality | Works best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser WebRTC (this tool) | High: fast, direct P2P over local Wi-Fi | Devices on the same router or hotspot | Both devices must be awake and on the page |
| Cloud Storage (Drive/iCloud) | High | Backing up files for the long term | Requires uploading, uses internet data, files stored on servers |
| Messaging Apps (WhatsApp/Telegram) | Low: heavy compression | Quick sharing of small, non-critical images | Destroys video quality, uses internet data, limits file size |
| USB Cable | High | Massive backups | Requires a cable, often fails due to driver/MTP issues |
WiFi Glossary: LAN, Hotspot, P2P
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- A network that connects devices within a limited area, like your home or office. Devices on the same LAN can communicate directly with high speed.
- Hotspot
- A feature on your phone that shares its cellular data connection with other devices via Wi-Fi. ToolDeck can transfer files between devices connected to the same hotspot without using cellular data.
- WebRTC
- Web Real-Time Communication. Allows browsers to connect directly to each other to transfer data securely.
- Router
- A device that forwards data packets between computer networks. In your home, it connects your devices to the internet and to each other.
- Internet Data
- Data transferred over cellular networks or broadband. ToolDeck transfers files over your local Wi-Fi network, so it doesn't count against your internet data cap.
File transfer not working? Try these fixes
The connection failed or timed out
Ensure both devices are connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network or a different frequency like 2.4GHz vs 5GHz if your router separates them).
Transfer is very slow
Check the connection badge inside the tool. If it says "Relay Server", it means the devices cannot connect directly. Move closer to the router or check for firewall restrictions.
Does this use my mobile data?
No, as long as both devices are connected to a Wi-Fi router or a mobile hotspot, the transfer happens over the local network. It does not count against your cellular data plan.
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.
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.
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.
ToolDeck vs Cloud Transfer
Cloud services like Google Drive or WeTransfer upload your files to their servers over the internet. ToolDeck keeps the transfer entirely on your local network.
| Feature | TToolDeck | Cloud Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Uses local Wi-Fi (no internet data) | Yes | no (uploads to cloud) |
| No app download required | Yes | no (often requires an app) |
| No uploads to a cloud server | Yes | no (most use cloud servers) |
| No account needed | Yes | Often requires signup |
| File size limit | 10 GB per file | 2 GB (WhatsApp) or 25MB (Email) |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | Varies |
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
Zero Data Usage
When both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, the files travel directly through your router. It does not use your internet data cap.
Direct P2P Transfer
Files travel directly from device to device over an encrypted WebRTC connection. They never touch our servers.
Lightning Fast Speeds
Local network transfers are extremely fast, often reaching up to 50 MB/s depending on your router.
10GB File Support
Send massive 4K video files or heavy zip archives without worrying about compression or arbitrary limits.
Works on All Devices
No apps, no software. Just open the browser on your iPhone, Android, Windows PC, Mac, or Linux machine.
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 Wi-Fi transfer
Use the same Wi-Fi network
For the fastest and most reliable connection, put both devices on the same Wi-Fi router. Avoid guest networks which often block device-to-device communication.
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 home network or a mobile hotspot.
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 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.
WiFi File Transfer FAQ
Quick answers about local networks, data usage, and privacy.
Does this use my mobile data?
Once the connection is established via the QR code (which requires a tiny amount of data to load the page), the actual file transfer happens directly over your local Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot. It does not use your internet data cap.
What happens if I have no internet?
As long as both devices are connected to a Wi-Fi router or a mobile hotspot, the transfer will work. You need a minimal connection to load the ToolDeck webpage and establish the connection, but the heavy file transfer stays on the local network.
Why is local Wi-Fi faster?
When you use WeTransfer or Google Drive, the file goes from your device to the internet, and then back down to the receiver. With ToolDeck on the same Wi-Fi, the file travels directly through the router to the other device, which is incredibly fast (up to 50MB/s).
Is the connection encrypted?
Yes. We use WebRTC, which uses DTLS/SRTP encryption. The file is encrypted in transit and is never exposed to anyone else on the Wi-Fi network.
Do I need to install an app?
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 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 and doesn't use your internet data.
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 maximum file size I can send?
You can send individual files up to 10GB in size. You can also send up to 10 files in a single batch.
Does this work on public Wi-Fi?
Public Wi-Fi networks (like at airports or coffee shops) often have client isolation enabled, which blocks devices from communicating directly with each other. It is best to use a private home network or a mobile hotspot.
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.
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.
How do I transfer files between a PC and a phone on the same Wi-Fi?
Open ToolDeck Drop on both devices. On the PC, click "Send Files" to generate a QR code. On your phone, click "Receive Files" and scan the QR code. You can then select and send files directly over your local network.
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.