No app to install
Send Files Between Phone and PC Without an App
Most tools make you install an app on both sides. Flitdrop needs nothing on the phone: scan a QR code once and use the browser. Only the computer has a small app, so files move over your local Wi-Fi, end to end encrypted, free and with no account.
The short answer: install the Flitdrop app on your computer, scan a QR code once with your phone, and send files over your local Wi-Fi with nothing installed on the phone. The phone just uses its browser as a lightweight web app, there is no account, and everything is end to end encrypted so files never pass through a server. Only the computer runs a small app, which is exactly what keeps the phone side app free and reliable.
The honest landscape
Why Most Tools Still Need an App
Native apps and browser tools each ask something of the phone. Flitdrop is built so the phone stays untouched.
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Native apps want an install
LocalSend, Send Anywhere, Feem and Xender are solid tools, but each one asks you to install an app on the phone and often on the computer too.
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Browser tools need both tabs open
Snapdrop, PairDrop and ShareDrop skip the install, but both sides must open the same site at once, and WebRTC discovery can be flaky on some networks.
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Flitdrop moves the app to the computer
Flitdrop puts the small app only on the computer. The phone scans a QR code once and uses its browser, so there is nothing to install on the phone.
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Stays discoverable, not a fragile tab
Because the computer runs a real desktop app, it stays discoverable in the background, so your paired phone can send whenever they share the same Wi-Fi.
Getting started
Send Without an App in Three Steps
Install the app on your computer once, scan a QR code with your phone, 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 the QR code once
Scan a QR code one time with your iPhone or Android; the phone simply opens its browser as a lightweight web app, with no App Store or Play Store download.
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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, folders and clipboard move fast and stay off the cloud.
Everything is end to end encrypted, with no account to create and privacy first by design.
How they compare
What Each Approach Asks of Your Phone
An honest look at where each option needs an install, a tab or an account, and where Flitdrop keeps the phone free.
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LocalSend and Send Anywhere
Both are dependable and private on a local network, but they need their app installed on the phone. Flitdrop reaches the same local sharing with nothing on the phone.
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Xender, SHAREit and Feem
They move files quickly, but they install an app on both devices and some show ads or ask for broad permissions. Flitdrop keeps the phone install free.
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Snapdrop, PairDrop and ShareDrop
These browser tools install nothing, which is great, but both sides must open the same site at once and WebRTC discovery can fail on some networks. Flitdrop pairs once and stays discoverable.
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Flitdrop
Nothing on the phone, no account, no both tabs open rule. Scan a QR code once, then send files, folders and clipboard over your local Wi-Fi, end to end encrypted and free.
Private by design
Local, Encrypted and Free
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.
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
How can I send files between my phone and PC without installing an app?
Install the Flitdrop app on your computer, then scan a QR code once with your phone. From then on the phone just uses its browser as a lightweight web app to send files, so there is no app to install on the phone side and no account to create.
Is there an AirDrop that works without an app?
Flitdrop is the closest thing to AirDrop that needs no app on the phone. Only the computer runs a small app; the iPhone or Android just opens the browser after a single QR scan, and transfers go directly over your local Wi-Fi, end to end encrypted.
Do I really install nothing on the phone?
Yes. There is nothing to install on the phone, no App Store or Play Store download, and no account. You scan a QR code one time and the phone uses its own browser as a lightweight web app to send and receive files.
What about the computer, does it need an app?
Yes, the computer runs a small Flitdrop app that installs on Windows, Mac or Linux and auto updates. It is what makes the phone side app free, since a real desktop app stays discoverable in the background, unlike a browser tab both sides must keep open at once.
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 and local?
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.
Ready to send without installing an app?
Install Flitdrop on your computer, keep your phone exactly as it is.
Windows, Mac and Linux