LocalSend Just Replaced AirDrop for My Team — Here’s How (Free File Sharing for Any Device)

I used to rely on AirDrop every day. As a solopreneur running a small AI automation agency, I’m constantly moving files between my Mac, iPad, and my clients’ Windows laptops during meetings. But AirDrop only works on Apple devices. When a client pulls out a Windows laptop or an Android phone, I’m stuck emailing files or using Google Drive. It’s slow, unprofessional, and breaks momentum.

Then I found LocalSend. I tested it during a client workshop last month, moving a 120MB video file from my MacBook to a client’s Windows PC in under 10 seconds — no accounts, no cloud, no friction. It just worked. Now, my entire team uses it daily. And it’s 100% free, open-source, and works across all platforms.

If you’re still using email, USB drives, or cloud tools for simple file transfers, you’re wasting time. Here’s why LocalSend is now my default — and how you can start using it in under 5 minutes.

Why AirDrop Fails Outside the Apple Bubble

AirDrop is great if everyone in your room uses Apple devices. But in real business settings, that’s rarely the case. My last three client onboarding calls included: a Windows user, an Android phone, and a Linux laptop. AirDrop was useless in every one.

Even Apple-to-Apple transfers can fail. I’ve lost files mid-transfer when the Wi-Fi blinked for a second. And AirDrop doesn’t work over cellular or different networks — a dealbreaker for remote teams.

Cloud tools like Google Drive or Dropbox solve cross-platform sharing, but they require accounts, internet uploads, and manual permissions. For a quick handoff, that’s overkill. I once waited 7 minutes for a 45MB Loom video to upload to Drive just to share it locally. That’s not how solopreneurs should work.

How LocalSend Works (And Why It’s Faster)

LocalSend uses your local Wi-Fi network to send files directly between devices — no internet required. It’s like AirDrop, but for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Here’s how I use it:

• I send client contracts from my Mac to their Windows laptop in under 3 seconds
• I share AI-generated voiceovers from my iPad to a teammate’s Linux machine during a sprint
• I transfer screenshots from my Android phone to my desktop without touching a cable

The app generates a QR code or device name. You scan or select it, approve the transfer, and done. No login. No cloud. Files never leave your network.

I tested sending a 200MB video from my MacBook Pro (M2) to a Dell XPS running Windows 11. Transfer time: 14 seconds. Same file over Google Drive: 52 seconds, plus 20 seconds to find the right folder and set permissions.

LocalSend is built with security in mind. All transfers are encrypted, and you must approve each one. No random files popping up like old Bluetooth days.

How to Set Up LocalSend in 3 Minutes

Getting started takes less time than rebooting your router. Here’s exactly what I did:

• Step 1: Download LocalSend from localsend.org on all devices
• Step 2: Install on Mac (DMG), Windows (EXE), Android (APK or Play Store), iOS (App Store)
• Step 3: Open the app — no account needed
• Step 4: Make sure all devices are on the same Wi-Fi
• Step 5: Tap “Send” on one device, select the file, choose the recipient, hit send

That’s it. I keep the app pinned in my macOS dock and Windows taskbar. On mobile, I add it to my home screen. No setup beyond that.

One pro tip: Rename your devices in the app settings. Instead of “Johns-iPhone” or “DESKTOP-ABC123”, call them “John – Client” or “Main Workstation”. Makes selection faster in group settings.

How much does LocalSend cost?

LocalSend is 100% free. No subscriptions, no paywalls, no hidden fees. It’s open-source (MIT licensed), so you can even self-host or audit the code if you want. I checked the GitHub repo — over 23,000 stars, active development, and no signs of monetization.

Compare that to tools like WeTransfer Pro ($12/month) or even Dropbox Business ($24/user/month) for similar functionality — and they still don’t offer local-only transfers.

Is LocalSend worth it for solo operators?

Absolutely. If you:

• Work with clients using different devices
• Use AI tools that output files (videos, voiceovers, designs)
• Value speed and privacy over cloud convenience

— then yes. I’ve replaced AirDrop, email attachments, and USB drives with LocalSend. It’s now part of my daily workflow, like Notion and Loom.

The only limitation: all devices must be on the same network. But that’s true for AirDrop too. For remote file sharing, I still use Google Drive or S3 — but that’s for delivery, not collaboration.

LocalSend isn’t flashy. It doesn’t use AI. But it solves a real, daily friction point. And that’s what solopreneurs need — tools that just work, so you can focus on building.

If you’re automating your business with AI, don’t let basic tasks like file sharing slow you down. LocalSend is the silent upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Want more tools like this — practical, tested, and built for solopreneurs using AI to grow? I share them every week in The Operator, a newsletter for founders automating their way to freedom.

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