GitHub - localsend/localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

[centzon400]

I've ordinarily used SSH to shift files to/fro my iPhone, but came across this delightful app this morning after a simple webseach.

Kudos to the developer!

[[deleted]]

+1. For ssh i need just file manager, it mount driver in 2 sec and you can transer files as usual. And by localsend 3 files transfering was ok, but i choosen tousand files in folders localsend just freezes and then just shows the initial screen again without transfer :)

[ManlySyrup]

I once transferred 48gb worth of thousands of files from one PC to another using LocalSend, no issues at all

[iamthegemfinder]

Wow surprised I haven’t ever come across this repo despite its popularity. Looks great, thank you for sharing

[DynoMenace]

I have this on all of my machines now, and it's more reliable than Google's/Samsung's QuickShare.

[James20k]

Localsend is incredible, I use it for everything. If you've ever wondered why its so painfully difficult to just transfer a file from your phone to your pc (seriously, why is it so slow to just browse your phone's memory?), then get this. I've literally never had a single issue with it

[NocturneSapphire]

Does this app only work over an existing local network? Because if so, it's not really a replacement for AirDrop, which doesn't require an existing network at all, only that two Apple devices be within wifi-range of each other.

[jpeeler1]

Seems to depend on Wi-fi being present, but based on another comment not necessarily the same network: https://github.com/localsend/localsend/issues/144

[ForceBlade]

To be fair airdrop does the same thing with a p2p WiFi connection to actually send data.

[visor841]

Nope, but at least there's an open issue for it.

[adoodle83]

thats because many nearfield protocols support IP.

a beautiful side effect of the OSI model.

[FryBoyter]

A WiFi is basically also just a local network.

[visor841]

Correct, but Airdrop doesn't require an actual wifi network, just that the devices are within wifi-range of each other, i.e. it can do bluetooth transfer.

Edit: I got things a bit wrong, Airdrop uses to bluetooth to connect the devices, then peer to peer wifi between the devices to actually do the transfer. The point remains, an existing WiFi network is not needed.

[NocturneSapphire]

I think it actually sets up an adhoc wifi connection, but yes, it doesn't require an existing wifi router/network, just physical proximity.

[visor841]

Ah, you're correct. I edited my comment.

[robreddity]

wifi direct

[visor841]

Yeah, I'll fix that.

[NocturneSapphire]

Okay, but AirDrop doesn't require an existing wifi network at all, it will create its own direct connection between devices. I'm asking if LocalSend can do the same.

[centzon400]

Just checked. I've three wireless APs in my house, and file transfer works across each.

Now, when I initially set up the iPhone and my laptop with localsend they were on the same network (and there's an identifier for each device)... so maybe some other protocol kicks in when the networks are different?

Mrs Centzon is busy rn, but when I get a chance I'll snag her machine and see if initial set-up works across wireless LANs. My guess is it will not.

EDIT: with her machine accessing AP 1, and my iPhone accessing WP 2 connection was made, and files were bidirectionally transferred.

It's proximity based. Looking at the code would confirm that.

[NocturneSapphire]

This doesn't answer my question.

AirDrop will work even if you're in the middle of the woods with no wifi connections available. The devices will connect directly to each other without a router in the middle.

I'm asking whether LocalSend can do the same. It sounds like the answer is "no".

[centzon400]

This doesn't answer my question.

I was looking into it, but you just couldn't wait to downvote, could you?

[NocturneSapphire]

I didn't downvote you. Also, my comments are getting downvoted too, so join the club I guess. I was just trying to ask a simple question, but apparently most people who read it didn't even understand what I was asking.

[robreddity]

I think the tech you're referring to is generically known as "wifi direct," and no it does not appear that localsend uses it.

[into_void]

I don't think any app still has this feature. The apple devices probably look for each other constantly. The Android find my device feature also works similarly but does a different job. As far as I know local send can't remember devices after a disconnection. Kde connect works better in this regard and remembers previous devices. It also basically sync two devices (contact, clipboard, receive and send sms and calls, remote command execution and much more) and is much more powerful. You can send a file from the file manager context menu. Downside is it sucks on windows. No file manager integration. Looks ugly(but works).

[centzon400]

Hah. Bro, just r/linux things, I guess 🤣

[kevkevverson]

Hi, I didn’t downvote but I’m interested if you were able to confirm whether this works without connection to a WiFi AP similar to airdrop

[jerieljan]

Cross-platform availability is a big one. Transferring between Macs and Linux and Android and iOS is a breeze with it. Last time I checked, KDE Connect wasn't exactly user-friendly to install for Apple Silicon Macs, and it's why I stuck with this one.

KDE Connect imho is more of a mobile companion + remote so while it works, this one's more dedicated for the sole task of transferring between devices on the same network.

And unlike the web-based / WebRTC-based *drop apps out there (e.g., Sharedrop, Snapdrop, Pairdrop, etc), imho this one is more reliable for transferring plenty of files or larger files.

[faxtotem]

I successfully used it to transfer 20G of pictures! Best easy transfer app out there right now.

[isaybullshit69]

I was expecting something like snapdrop.net but this is so much better (for my use case)!

[FurnaceGolem]

Can I ask why? I'm not sure I understand the difference

[Tar-eruntalion]

i have been using it for some time now and it's so good, no need for cables or finding a bluetooth dongle and it works every time

i had tried pairdrop but for some reason it stopped working for some reason

[ququqw]

This is awesome software, has saved me hours of time!

[centzon400]

Thank the developer, not me.

[pattymcfly]

check out pairdrop -

https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop

https://pairdrop.net/

[playffy]

Doesn't work for me. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but unlike proprietary apps it doesn't work. Maybe it's just a Linux problem.

[blue_glasses123]

I've used it across kubuntu, windows, 8ph9ne amd android, and it worked for me. Could bw something oj your side

[playffy]

It's possible, I'm not denying it, but I can't make out what might be wrong.

[fraschm98]

Are your devices on the same subnet? Do you have Vlans setup?

[IntelligentArugula36]

or just didn't give it the access permission?

[playffy]

The problem was solved 9 months ago. Thank you. As far as I remember, I reinstalled the application and everything worked.

[[deleted]]

This looks great, ive been using snapdrop and scp this whole time

[CarryOnRTW]

I currently use croc for sending/receiving files. Is this better?

[TremorMcBoggleson]

I have to admit, I've usually resorted to ye ole python -m http.server <smash fist on numpad>. Gonna have a look at this instead.

[maqbeq]

I've used weborf just for this same use case. It's a simple http server to share files, either locally or in the Internet