# LocalSend **<—Return to:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/file-transfer-0EKEjk5z53](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/file-transfer-0EKEjk5z53) --- **<— Previous lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/usb-c-cable-RS6kWWHEnW](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/usb-c-cable-RS6kWWHEnW) **—> Next lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/bluetooth-74tmTXsbag](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/bluetooth-74tmTXsbag) With modern phones it is possible to send files remotely via [*LocalSend*](https://localsend.org/), 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](https://localsend.org/). On computers, be sure that the Firewall is set to allow incoming connections and that *LocalSend* is not blocked. :::tip 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. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2Y5OGVlZjBjLTk2NmItNGNkYi1hYTAwLTFjOWE1NThlYzQxNC80NmI3Y2U2Mi1lYmM2LTQyYTMtYjBiNi01ZmQ0NWQxOTQzNjAvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDEtZGV2aWNlLW5hbWUucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTI5NjExMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5MzA0NzUwMH0.0J3fjJqr8VAFi6muAug3Zd9AIps0gjF1SG5m9_Qul8A " =214x514") 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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My82MDRlMDI0MS1kNjA0LTQ2OTMtODY3ZS0yZmRmOGJkNDAyNTMvaW1hZ2VfMjAyNS0wMy0wNF8xNC0zNi0xNy5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5Mjk2MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzMDQ3NTAwfQ.el1ReRqjhrreWQoJ3yGZ72_S4N7OxAk-zVhlq1-0zC8 " =556x401") ### **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. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My9jOTY2YjcyNC02MzIzLTQ4MWEtYTk0Zi00NmE2NDJlMjg2Y2IvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDNhLXNlbmQtdG8tb3RoZXItZGV2aWNlbmFtZS5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5Mjk2MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzMDQ3NTAwfQ.fm7bcEQBszSQrRt5EI9LT6SLcOWr8oUTO3e9i7t8sOM " =171x385") The top arrows refer to the different type of files and data the app allows us to send.  :::tip 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. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My80MDViOTNmYy03N2EzLTQ5MGMtOGQwOC0wOWQ0NjQzZjQ2OTUvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDQtc2VuZC10by1vdGhlci1kZXZpY2VuYW1lLnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzkyOTYxMTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTMwNDc1MDB9.1WXlo2dbePWRIosDChyS5t6qmz5EgDUly1xIzRa-afE " =171x385") :::tip 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. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My80MmE3NmRlMC0xMWI2LTRhMDMtOWNhZC1hODVhZTg0ZTViOTAvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDUtd2FpdGluZy5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5Mjk2MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzMDQ3NTAwfQ.HGPr05jDdocqqwYZuQ7nXL4I5maixgxgDl7TJyRk0yI " =171x385") 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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My8zY2U4YjM3Ni05MzVlLTRlNjYtYTJmOC0zYTk0NmI2MGY0MDMvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDYtYWNjZXB0LWZpbGUtc2NhbGVkLmpwZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzkyOTYxMTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTMwNDc1MDB9.R7qRQ9q7QQVD6WUYo5b42jRekMV2IZuGhRfCUv3RBFM " =599x449") ### **Step 4: Verify transfer** Once the transfer is finished both devices will let you know. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My80M2MwYWMzMC01NDg5LTQ4NzctYjdiYi02YTNmMWY4YjMwNDEvbG9jYWxzZW5kMDctc2VuZGluZy1maW5pc2hlZC5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5Mjk2MTEwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzMDQ3NTAwfQ.omG8lKuUY4dqONDETyLzI2DrFb9uWQgo-ucUFgzhbg0 " =171x385") On computers it will tell you where the files have been saved to. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My83MjgyZmEyNy1hZGM5LTQyYmItOGU2My1hNTVkZGUzZWIxMjAvbG9jYWxzZW5kLXJlcGxhY2VkLW5hbWUucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTI5NjExMDAsImV4cCI6MTc5MzA0NzUwMH0.W7ckF8yRoqYhFNFvI98pHgdS3TEG8XZieDHXxK0sxJw " =642x462") 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*. :::success 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. --- **Documents** - [Getting Started](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq) - [Application Guides](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/application-guides-jAjlxuCIBy) - [Above Essentials](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/above-essentials-KkbCdqt7F7) - [Profiles](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/profiles-UiYjt5uT5E) - [Migrating from other devices](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/migrating-from-other-devices-h0cJeSFPOe) - [Backup & Restore](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/backup-restore-8eA0cmjC3G) - [FAQs](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/faqs-HUNU8JOych) - [Privacy Strategies](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/privacy-strategies-uHCZH7KxdC) - [Older Above Phones](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/older-above-phones-fG3zUVbYnS)