LocalSend

LocalSend shares files and messages with nearby devices over the local network. Nothing leaves the network you are on: no internet connection is required and no external server sees the transfer, which is the difference from the messaging apps people usually fall back on.

Devices talk to each other through a REST API, and every transfer is encrypted with a TLS certificate generated on the fly on each device. The protocol is documented in its own repository, and the app itself is built with Flutter and Rust.

Getting it working is mostly a matter of installing it and letting the traffic through.

• Every platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Fire OS builds are published.
• Package managers: Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, Homebrew, Flathub, Snap, Nixpkgs, the AUR, F-Droid and the app stores.
• Firewall: allow incoming TCP and UDP on port 53317, and disable AP isolation on the router.
• Portable mode: an empty settings.json beside the executable keeps configuration with the app.
• Start hidden: a hidden flag launches the app into the tray only.

Minimum versions are Android 5.0, iOS 12, macOS 11 and Windows 10, with Linux needing the xdg desktop portal packages for your desktop. The app has no auto-update, so installing from a store or a package manager is the recommended route. Building from source needs Flutter and Rust.