LocalSend

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With modern phones it is possible to send files remotely via LocalSend, which can be installed on Android, iOS, Linux, Windows and macOS.

 

Step 0: Preparations

To be able to send files that way, LocalSend needs to be installed on both devices. You'll find the app in your default app stores. For Android, you'll also find the app on F-Droid.

For computer systems, you can download LocalSend from their website.

On computers, be sure that the Firewall is set to allow incoming connections and that LocalSend is not blocked.

VPN setups can affect LocalSend so your nearby devices wouldn’t be recognized.
On the phone be sure that you have the 'Block connections without VPN' switch disabled. 

On the Above Book be sure to set the Firewall on Above Book to 'Allow Incoming Connections' for LocalSend.


Step 1: Launch LocalSend - Identify devices

Note: the following steps are should be followed for BOTH devices. Open LocalSend and identify the device names respectively.

• Open LocalSend:
LocalSend will assign a random name to your device. Take note of this to identify your devices.





If you want to receive files to your phone, just keep the app open in 'Receive' bottom left. On your second device inside LocalSend, look for the displayed device name (in this case 'Fast Orange') to send files to this first device.

Here is the device name of the second device in our example (LocalSend on Above Book)


Device ID for LocalSend on a computer

Device ID for LocalSend on a computer




Step 2: Send files

Here we'll show an example of how to send files from the phone to another device using LocalSend (in our case an Above Book).

• Go to the Send menu:
Inside the Send page, the app first asks for WHAT to send, and then WHERE to send it to.




The top arrows refer to the different type of files and data the app allows us to send. 

On Android phones it is possible to directly share apps from one device to another!

The option shows at the very right - just scroll to get there.


• Select WHAT to send:

Once you've chosen what to send you'd see it listed like shown in the next picture.



Note: you can choose multiple files or folders.


• Select WHERE to send your files to:

Next we can choose where to send the file to. With the randomly created device name you can be sure to send it to the right device.


The transfer needs to accepted from the other device to proceed.

 

Step 3: Receive files

• Accept incoming transfer:
On your other device LocalSend should now show you an incoming transfer request with the device name of your first device. Be sure to accept it here.


Incoming file via LocalSend on Above Book

Incoming file via LocalSend on Above Book



Step 4: Verify transfer

Once the transfer is finished both devices will let you know.



On computers it will tell you where the files have been saved to.


To finish and start a new transfer, just push on Done on both devices.

 

 

Additional Tips

• VPN apps:

If you’re using a VPN on a device, it may prevent devices from showing up for each other.

To work around this issue, the quickest way would be to turn off your VPN momentarily while using LocalSend.

To make LocalSend work with the VPN on, be sure to check the following three settings:


  1. Be sure to allow the LocalSend app to be able to bypass your VPN. This can usually be done inside the VPN app - inside the app settings you should find ‘App split tunneling’ or ‘App Whitelist’


  2. Also inside the VPN app, there is usually a setting to allow LAN access for devices within the same local network.


  3. On the Above Phone, turn off the VPN kill-switch

    In Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > tap on the gear next to your VPN. In this menu, make sure that the 'Block connections without VPN' switch is toggled OFF (flipped to the left)


To troubleshoot, you can try to temporarily turn off your VPN on both devices.


• Firewalls:

For computers, be sure that your Firewall allows incoming connections and that LocalSend is allowed.


• Same WiFi:

Be sure that your devices are connected to the same local network. Be aware that WiFi can create separate access points based on different frequencies (usually 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Be sure that both devices are on the exact same one.