PairDrop alternative
PairDrop Alternative: A Desktop App That Always Connects
PairDrop and ShareDrop are handy browser tools, but their WebRTC discovery often fails: devices do not appear, a TURN relay is needed, or both tabs must stay open at once. Flitdrop keeps the no phone app benefit as a persistent desktop app, so it is always discoverable, strictly local and encrypted, and free.
The honest answer first: PairDrop and ShareDrop are genuinely good, open and zero install, and when they connect they work well. The catch is that they discover devices through the browser over WebRTC, which often fails on real networks: devices do not appear, a TURN relay is needed, or both tabs must stay open at once. Flitdrop keeps the no phone app benefit but runs as a persistent desktop app, so it is always discoverable, moves folders and clipboard, keeps every transfer strictly on your local Wi-Fi with end to end encryption, and stays free.
The connection problem
Why PairDrop Devices Do Not Appear
PairDrop and ShareDrop are open and zero install, which is a real strength. But browser based WebRTC discovery is fragile on many everyday networks.
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Client isolation blocks it
Many home routers, guest networks and office Wi-Fi isolate clients from each other, so the two browsers never see one another and no device shows up.
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A TURN relay is needed
When a direct peer connection cannot form, WebRTC falls back to a TURN relay server, which routes your transfer through a third party instead of staying purely local.
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Both tabs open at once
Both devices must keep the tab open at the same moment, so a closed tab, a sleeping phone or a switched app quietly drops the pairing.
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A persistent fix
Flitdrop runs the computer side as a real desktop app that stays discoverable, so a single QR pairing keeps working without both tabs open.
Getting started
How Flitdrop Replaces PairDrop
Install the app on your computer once, pair your phone 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 to pair your iPhone or Android; the phone simply uses its browser as a lightweight web app.
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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.
The difference
Flitdrop Compared to PairDrop
PairDrop wins on being open and zero install in any browser. Flitdrop wins on always connecting, staying strictly local, and moving more than single files.
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Always discoverable
A persistent desktop app stays discoverable in the background, instead of two browser tabs that both sides must keep open at the same time.
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Strictly local, no relay
Transfers stay directly on your local Wi-Fi with end to end encryption, so nothing ever falls back to a TURN relay or a server in the middle.
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Folders and clipboard
It moves whole folders and the clipboard both ways, not just single files, so it covers more of what you actually send day to day.
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PairDrop still shines here
Fairly put: PairDrop is open and installs nothing on either side, so for a quick share between two browsers on a friendly network it is a fine choice.
Private by design
Your Files Stay on Your Wi-Fi
Flitdrop is not an internet or cloud service. Transfers go directly device to device over your local Wi-Fi, everything is end to end encrypted, and there is no account, so nothing is ever uploaded to a server or a relay.
It is source available, so anyone can inspect how the sharing works, and it stays free for local transfers on your own network.
Frequently asked
Why is PairDrop not connecting or not showing devices?
PairDrop and ShareDrop discover devices through the browser using WebRTC, so devices often fail to appear when a network isolates clients, blocks peer to peer traffic or needs a TURN relay to bridge the two sides. A closed tab or a sleeping phone also drops the connection. Flitdrop avoids this by running as a persistent desktop app that stays discoverable on your local Wi-Fi.
What is the difference between Flitdrop and PairDrop?
PairDrop is an open, zero install browser tool that both devices open at once and that discovers peers over WebRTC. Flitdrop keeps the no phone app benefit but runs as a persistent desktop app on Windows, Mac or Linux, so it is always discoverable, moves folders and clipboard, and keeps every transfer strictly on your local Wi-Fi with end to end encryption.
Do both devices need a tab open?
With PairDrop and ShareDrop, both sides keep a browser tab open at the same time, and closing either tab ends the session. With Flitdrop, the computer runs a real desktop app that stays discoverable in the background, and the phone only opens its browser when you actually send something.
Do I install anything on the phone?
No. The phone installs nothing: it just uses its browser as a lightweight web app after a one time QR scan. Only the computer needs the Flitdrop app, which installs on Windows, Mac or Linux and auto updates.
Is it 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 it private?
Yes. Flitdrop is not an internet or cloud service. Transfers go directly device to device over your local Wi-Fi, everything is end to end encrypted, and there is no account, so your files never pass through a server or a relay.
Ready for a share tool that always connects?
Install Flitdrop on your computer, keep your phone exactly as it is.
Windows, Mac and Linux