LocalSend alternative
LocalSend Alternative for iPhone: No App, No Discovery Issues
If LocalSend is not showing your iPhone or will not connect on iOS, it is almost always device discovery failing. Flitdrop pairs with a QR code instead, so there is no discovery to break, and there is nothing to install on the phone. Free, private, no account.
The honest answer first: LocalSend is a good open source, cross platform tool, and for many people it works fine. Its most common, well documented pain is on iOS, where it relies on network auto discovery with mDNS. On an iPhone that discovery is fragile: the phone often does not show up, appears one way only, or drops after background refresh, and LocalSend still needs its app installed on every device including the iPhone. Flitdrop fixes exactly that: it pairs with a QR code, so it never depends on auto discovery, and it needs nothing installed on the phone, just the browser.
The iOS snag
Why LocalSend Struggles to See an iPhone
LocalSend leans on network auto discovery, and on iOS that is exactly where it breaks. Flitdrop takes a different path.
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Discovery depends on mDNS
LocalSend finds devices automatically with mDNS, but many home and office networks and iOS itself limit or block it, so the iPhone never appears.
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One way or dropped links
On iOS the iPhone often shows up one way only, or drops off the list after background refresh, so a transfer that worked once fails the next time.
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An app on every device
LocalSend needs its app installed on every device, the iPhone included, which is one more install to manage and update on each phone.
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Flitdrop skips discovery
Flitdrop pairs with a QR code, so there is no auto discovery to fail and no device not found message: scan once and the two devices are linked.
Getting started
How Flitdrop Works, Without Discovery
Install the app on your computer once, pair your iPhone with a single scan, then send over your Wi-Fi.
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1
Install on your computer
Install the lightweight Flitdrop app once on Windows, Mac or Linux; it auto updates and there is nothing to install on the phone.
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2
Scan once to pair
Scan a QR code one time with your iPhone or Android; the phone simply uses its browser as a lightweight web app, no discovery needed.
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3
Send over your Wi-Fi
Both devices stay on the same local Wi-Fi and transfer peer to peer, so files move fast and stay off the cloud.
Everything is end to end encrypted, with no account to create and privacy first by design, just like LocalSend keeps transfers local.
A fair comparison
Where Flitdrop Goes Further
LocalSend is genuinely good and fully open source. These are the concrete edges Flitdrop adds on top.
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No app on the phone
LocalSend needs its app on every device; Flitdrop needs nothing on the phone and runs from the browser after one scan.
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QR pairing, not discovery
Instead of hunting for devices on the network, Flitdrop pairs with a QR code, so the device not found problem simply does not exist.
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Folders and clipboard
Flitdrop sends whole folders and syncs the clipboard both ways, so you can copy on the phone and paste on the computer.
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A persistent desktop app
A persistent desktop app on Windows, Mac and Linux stays ready in the background and auto updates, so it is there whenever you need it.
To be fair to LocalSend: it is fully open source and cross platform, and if network discovery works well on your setup it is an excellent choice.
Every pairing
Works With Every Device Combination
Any phone to any computer, so an iPhone is never left out and a transfer never stalls on discovery.
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Every phone
Phone side: iPhone, Android and Samsung are all supported, all from the browser.
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Every computer
Computer side: Windows, Mac and Linux, so you are not locked to one ecosystem.
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Any direction
Send from an iPhone to a Windows PC, or from an Android to a Mac, every pairing works both ways.
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One tool, no patchwork
One tool replaces the patchwork of AirDrop, Nearby Share and cloud drives you juggle today.
Frequently asked
Why is LocalSend not showing my iPhone or not working on iOS?
LocalSend finds devices automatically over the network using mDNS, and on iOS that discovery is fragile: the iPhone often does not appear, shows up only one way, or drops after the app goes to the background. Flitdrop skips auto discovery entirely and pairs with a QR code instead, so there is no device not found step to fail.
Do I need to install an app on my phone?
No. LocalSend requires the app on every device, including the iPhone. Flitdrop needs nothing installed on the phone: it uses the browser as a lightweight web app after a one time QR scan. Only the computer runs the Flitdrop app, on Windows, Mac or Linux, and it auto updates.
What is the difference between Flitdrop and LocalSend?
LocalSend is a good open source, cross platform tool, but it relies on network auto discovery and an app on every device. Flitdrop is source available, pairs by QR code instead of discovery, installs nothing on the phone, and adds whole folders, two way clipboard and a persistent desktop app.
Is Flitdrop free?
Yes. Flitdrop is free on your own network, with no subscription and no server cost for local transfers. You can download it from the official GitHub releases page.
Is Flitdrop private and encrypted?
Yes. Like LocalSend, Flitdrop transfers go directly device to device over your local Wi-Fi, never through a cloud server. Everything is end to end encrypted and there is no account to create.
Does it work between iPhone and Windows or Android?
Yes. Flitdrop connects any phone to any computer: iPhone, Android or Samsung on the phone side, and Windows, Mac or Linux on the computer side, in every direction.
Tired of LocalSend not finding your iPhone?
Install Flitdrop on your computer, scan once, and skip discovery for good.
Windows, Mac and Linux