Transfer files between your phone and computer

From phone to computer—and back again

Open LanCopy on the computer, then on the phone. A QR code makes it easier to open the same address on the second device. Give both devices clear names, start discovery and select the other device.

On iPhone or Android, the file picker shows sources offered by the operating system, such as Photos or the Files app. A computer also supports drag and drop and its standard file picker. Sending in the other direction uses the same steps.

1. Open the address or scan the QR code on the second device.
2. Give both devices distinct names and connect them.
3. Select photos, videos or documents and accept them at the destination.

A cross-platform alternative to AirDrop and Quick Share

LanCopy addresses a similar everyday need: quickly send a file to a nearby device. It does not use Apple’s AirDrop protocol or Google’s Quick Share protocol. Instead, two open browsers connect over the network with WebRTC.

That approach works across device families, but it is not identical to a feature integrated deeply into an operating system. Both devices need an open browser, network access and must remain active during the real-time transfer. LanCopy is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple or Google.

Send several photos with fewer confirmations

A multi-file selection is presented as one related group. The receiver can load all suitable files together or review each item separately. This avoids opening a new acceptance dialog for every photo.

Files are transferred byte for byte without LanCopy shrinking images or re-encoding videos. Metadata contained inside a file remains part of that unchanged content. The filename and other transfer metadata are additionally end-to-end encrypted.

Where received files are saved

The receiving browser and operating system decide where a download is stored. On iPhone and iPad, a browser download normally appears in the download manager and can then be opened or moved with the Files app. Android and desktop browsers generally use their configured download directory.

On supported desktop browsers, LanCopy can write a larger file directly to a location you choose. The universal browser fallback collects received data in memory and has a combined 128 MiB limit. Larger files therefore require a supported desktop browser and the “Choose location” option.

Why iOS should remain in the foreground

After joining, LanCopy makes a best-effort request to keep the screen awake. The browser or operating system may reject or release it when the page moves into the background. In particular, iOS can pause network activity when Safari is no longer visible or the screen locks.

For a longer transfer, leave LanCopy in the foreground on both devices, avoid changing networks and wait for the completed status. An interrupted file can be sent again, but there is currently no resume from the last transferred chunk.