LocalSend lets you securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network—no internet or third-party servers required. It’s open-source, cross-platform (desktop & mobile), fast, and works fully offline.
I gave this a try during the drama with syncthing-fork (new maintainer without a heads up from catfriend1). Had no issues sending from Fedora. GrapheneOS wouldn't send any files. Too bad.
If you want to send files between just your own devices KDE Connect is great and can do many other things too. If you are on Gnome there is a gnome extension for better integration (gsconnect I think?)
1. For a Linux user, you can already build such a system yourself quite trivially by getting an FTP account, mounting it locally with curlftpfs, and then using SVN or CVS on the mounted filesystem. From Windows or Mac, this FTP account could be accessed through built-in software.
I've been using Local Send for almost a year (I think) and love it. Graohene to my Linux machine no problem...well, no problem when I remember to adjust my firewall.
Cross-platform AirDrop. File transfer between Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows over ad hoc WiFi. No network infrastructure required, just two devices with WiFi chips (and optionally Bluetoot...
About section of the project (top-right of the page for me on desktop), not the readme file. It's literally just "An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop" + a link to localsend.org.
I was gonna say… “no internet connection required” is not the key attribute of AirDrop. AirDrop doesn’t even require a network connection. It’s a weird comparison.
Conference meeting test: you and a bunch of strangers gather for a quick q&a after a conference talk, the author wants to share their slidedeck with you. Everyone has whatever solution you are evaluating pre installed but your strangers so you have nothing setup specifically for this group... How many button presses across everyone does it take to share the slides?
Wait, I don't see you. Are you on the conference wifi? No I'm on call data, join the conference wifi. What's the password. Ok. Thanks. I joined it, I don't see the file. Which wifi are you on? Oh I'm on 5g. This is too complicated join my hot spot. Fuck I can't see your hotspot, turn airplane mode on and off. I joined it but I don't see anyone....
btw localsend has some plans for supporting google's somewhat common but proprietary quickshare functionality, but it seems the app hasn't received an update in almost a year
Eh, yes and no. It may not have 1-for-1 feature parity, but it's still an alternative insofar as two people can transfer files to each other. Yes, LocalSend requires them to be on the same network while AirDrop does not. I still think it's beneficial for LocalSend to show up in search results for "airdrop alternatives" b/c it might be good enough for most people's use cases and it is perhaps the most feature complete, easiest to use, free & open source option out there.
That does definitely replicate the feature of AirDrop more closely. Do you have any experience with it? Does it work reliably?
A thing to look out for is Wifi Aware, which would enable the functionality if implemented. That is what was recently also used by google to enable android<->ios Airdrop
I just wanted to point out the upcoming support for Wifi aware for iOS and Android. It seems like a perfect fit for Localsend. The Wi-Fi Aware™ technology (also known as Neighbor Awareness Networki...
Super simple and absolutely wonderful program. Something that any OS on any device should have just came as a free and simple implementation from the get go, but instead they make it as hard as can be without passing your data through their grubby little fingers first.
LocalSend is the best way to move and backup your files without the cloud or a data cable.
xabd
in reply to xabd • • •LocalSend lets you securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network—no internet or third-party servers required. It’s open-source, cross-platform (desktop & mobile), fast, and works fully offline.
github.com/localsend/localsend
GitHub - localsend/localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop
GitHubScott 🇨🇦🏴☠️
in reply to xabd • • •Alvaro
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️
in reply to Alvaro • • •machiavellian
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️
in reply to machiavellian • • •Creat
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •Anafabula
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •Dop
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️
in reply to Dop • • •WhyJiffie
in reply to Scott 🇨🇦🏴☠️ • • •MonkderVierte
in reply to xabd • • •echo text | nc -l -p 1234and receive vianc <sender-ip> 1234exu
in reply to MonkderVierte • • •From news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8…
My YC app: Dropbox - Throw away your USB drive | Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com4am
in reply to exu • • •FauxLiving
in reply to 4am • • •WhyJiffie
in reply to MonkderVierte • • •idiotunderground
in reply to xabd • • •exu
in reply to xabd • • •I'm always annoyed at the "AirDrop alternative" marketing. It's not. It requires both of your devices to share a network.
The truest AirDrop alternative that uses discovery and ad-hoc connections between devices is FlyingCarpet. It definitely needs a simpler UI though.
GitHub - spieglt/FlyingCarpet: Cross-platform AirDrop. File transfer between Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows over ad hoc WiFi. No network infrastructure required, just two devices with WiFi chips (and optionally Bluetooth) in close range.
GitHubpaf
in reply to exu • • •Anafabula
in reply to paf • • •paf
in reply to Anafabula • • •taco
in reply to paf • • •paf
in reply to taco • • •taco
in reply to paf • • •kibiz0r
in reply to exu • • •https://hackertalks.com/u/jet
in reply to exu • • •Conference meeting test: you and a bunch of strangers gather for a quick q&a after a conference talk, the author wants to share their slidedeck with you. Everyone has whatever solution you are evaluating pre installed but your strangers so you have nothing setup specifically for this group... How many button presses across everyone does it take to share the slides?
Wait, I don't see you. Are you on the conference wifi? No I'm on call data, join the conference wifi. What's the password. Ok. Thanks. I joined it, I don't see the file. Which wifi are you on? Oh I'm on 5g. This is too complicated join my hot spot. Fuck I can't see your hotspot, turn airplane mode on and off. I joined it but I don't see anyone....
FEIN
in reply to • • •WhyJiffie
in reply to • • •curious_dolphin
in reply to exu • • •WhyJiffie
in reply to curious_dolphin • • •after painfully figuring out (or not) how to make a hotspot with a somewhat secure password and get the other phone to connect to it.
unskilled5117
in reply to exu • • •That does definitely replicate the feature of AirDrop more closely. Do you have any experience with it? Does it work reliably?
A thing to look out for is Wifi Aware, which would enable the functionality if implemented. That is what was recently also used by google to enable android<->ios Airdrop
Integrate Wifi Aware
Readonly12 (GitHub)WhyJiffie
in reply to unskilled5117 • • •Jumuta
in reply to xabd • • •goodboyjojo
in reply to xabd • • •ColeSloth
in reply to xabd • • •Been using localsend for maybe 2 years now.
Super simple and absolutely wonderful program. Something that any OS on any device should have just came as a free and simple implementation from the get go, but instead they make it as hard as can be without passing your data through their grubby little fingers first.
LocalSend is the best way to move and backup your files without the cloud or a data cable.