What it is
LocalSend is an app for sending files and messages between devices on a local network. Unlike cloud messengers or file storage services, it does not require an external server and works near the user’s devices.
It is useful for everyday cases: move a file from phone to laptop, Linux to Windows, or between devices in the same room without an account, cloud upload, or cable.
What is inside
The repository contains the Flutter app, device discovery, local transfer protocol through REST API and HTTPS, builds for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, build instructions, and translation materials.
A typical flow is simple: both devices are on the same network, LocalSend discovers nearby devices, the user chooses a file, and the receiver confirms the transfer. The certificate is generated locally and the transfer stays local.
Transfer model
This snippet shows the LocalSend idea: devices discover each other locally and send files directly.
Phone -> Local network -> Laptop
No account
No external cloud
Receiver confirms the transferStrengths and limits
The strength is privacy and simplicity. Files do not need to pass through a third-party server, and the app works across platforms.
The limitation is networking. Guest Wi-Fi, VPNs, firewalls, or client isolation can prevent discovery. LocalSend is not a replacement for remote cloud sync over the internet.