LinkDrop
Before you start
LinkDrop sends files straight from one device to another over your local network. There's no account, no sign-up and no cloud. Your files never pass through our servers, because we don't have any.
Any supported device can send to any other: Android to iPhone, Mac to Windows, Linux to Android, and so on. You need LinkDrop installed on both devices, and both devices on the same local network.
Supported systems
| Platform | Minimum version |
|---|---|
| Android | Android 8.0 or later |
| iPhone & iPad | iOS / iPadOS 15 or later |
| Mac | macOS 13 Ventura or later |
| Windows | Windows 10 (version 1809) or later |
| Linux | Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later |
You must be 18 or older to use LinkDrop. The first time you open the app, read and accept the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy to continue.
Download
LinkDrop is free on every platform. Install it on both devices you want to transfer between.
On Linux, install the downloaded file with sudo apt install ./LinkDrop.deb.
Only download LinkDrop from the official app stores or this website. Copies from other sources may be modified and unsafe.
Connect your devices
Both devices need to be on the same local network. There are two ways to do that.
Same Wi-Fi
Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, for example your home or office router.
Hotspot
No Wi-Fi nearby? Turn on the hotspot on one device, then connect the other device to it from its Wi-Fi settings.
When you use a mobile hotspot, your mobile operator may count the data, depending on your plan.
Allow permissions
LinkDrop asks only for what it needs, and only when you first use the feature that needs it. It never asks for your location, contacts, camera, microphone or advertising ID.
Choose your platform:
- Notifications: shows transfer progress and when a transfer finishes. If you say no, transfers still work, you just won't be notified.
- Storage (Android 8 and 9 only): saves received files to your shared folders. If you say no, received files stay in the app's private folder.
- Files you pick: the system picker gives LinkDrop only the files you select.
Network access and running in the background during a transfer are granted automatically when you install the app.
To change a permission later: open Settings → Apps → LinkDrop → Permissions.
- Local Network: needed to find and connect to nearby devices. If you say no, LinkDrop can't find or connect to any device.
- Notifications: shows transfer progress and when a transfer finishes.
- Photos and files you pick: the system picker gives LinkDrop only the items you select. No photo library permission is needed.
LinkDrop never asks to track you.
To change a permission later: open Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and turn on LinkDrop.
- Local Network: needed to find and connect to nearby devices.
- Notifications: shows transfer progress and when a transfer finishes.
- Incoming connections: if macOS asks whether LinkDrop may accept incoming network connections, choose Allow. Otherwise other devices can't send to your Mac.
To change it later: open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network, or System Settings → Network → Firewall → Options, and allow LinkDrop.
- Windows Defender Firewall: Windows may ask to allow LinkDrop. Tick Private networks and choose Allow access.
- Network profile: set your Wi-Fi to Private. On Public networks, Windows blocks device discovery.
- Notifications: shows transfer progress and when a transfer finishes.
To fix it later: open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → your network and choose Private network. Then open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall and tick LinkDrop for Private.
Linux doesn't show permission prompts, but a firewall can block LinkDrop. Allow these two ports:
47861/tcpfor connections and transfers5353/udpfor finding nearby devices
With ufw:sudo ufw allow 47861/tcpsudo ufw allow 5353/udp
Pair two devices
The first time two devices connect, you pair them so each can be sure it's talking to the right device.
- Open LinkDrop on both devices. Each device appears to the other by its device name.
- Pick the other device from the list.
- Compare the 6-digit code. Both screens show a code. The person on the receiving device confirms the codes match.
- Done. From now on, each device remembers the other and refuses any device pretending to be it.
If the codes don't match, don't confirm. Someone else on the network may be trying to connect.
Your device name
Other people on the same network see your device name. By default it comes from your system. On iPhone and iPad, Apple only shares the model name (for example "iPhone 15"). You can change it anytime in Settings.
Send files
- Make sure both devices are on the same network and LinkDrop is open on the receiving device.
- Choose what to send. Pick files from the app, or share files or text into LinkDrop from another app.
- Pick the receiving device. If it's a new device, you'll pair first. If you use Pair & Send, pairing and sending happen in one go.
- Wait for the other person to accept. They see the file names, the number of files and the total size before deciding.
- Keep both devices on the network until it finishes. Every file is encrypted on the way and checked when it arrives.
If a transfer is interrupted, LinkDrop can resume it. Unfinished transfers are kept for 7 days.
Receive files
By default you must accept every incoming transfer. Nothing is saved until you do. You can turn on automatic acceptance for devices you've paired with in Settings, but it's off unless you choose it.
Where received files go
| Platform | Location |
|---|---|
| Android | Your shared Pictures, Movies, Music, Documents or Download folder, under LinkDrop/Received |
| iPhone & iPad | The LinkDrop folder in the Files app |
| Mac | ~/LinkDrop/Received |
| Windows | Downloads\LinkDrop\Received |
| Linux | Downloads/LinkDrop |
Files are saved exactly as they were sent. LinkDrop doesn't scan them, so treat them like any other download.
History and storage
- History stays on your device only. It's kept for 90 days by default. Change it to 30 days, 365 days or forever in Settings → Storage & retention.
- Delete one entry by swiping it away, or from its detail screen.
- Delete all history and devices from Settings → Storage & retention. This also clears unfinished transfers. It doesn't delete files you've received.
- Stop trusting a device by revoking it from your paired devices list. You'll need to pair again to use it.
Once a file is sent, the receiver keeps their copy. Deleting it from your history or your device doesn't remove it from theirs.
Usage guidelines
Do
- Use LinkDrop on networks you trust, like home or office Wi-Fi.
- Check the 6-digit code carefully when pairing.
- Accept only transfers you expect, from people you know.
- Only send files you have the right to share.
- Keep your own copies of important files.
- Keep the app updated.
Don't
- Use LinkDrop on public Wi-Fi in cafés, airports or hotels.
- Send illegal content, malware, or files that infringe anyone's rights.
- Send unwanted files or repeated pairing requests to people.
- Connect to devices or networks you're not allowed to use.
- Open unexpected app or program files (
.apk,.exe,.dmg).
Ads
LinkDrop is free. On Android and iPhone/iPad it shows non-personalised ads from Google. The Mac, Windows and Linux apps have no ads. Where the law requires it, you can change your ad consent in Settings → Ad privacy choices.
Troubleshooting
The other device doesn't appear in the list
- Check both devices are on the same network. A guest network, or a router with separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, may keep them apart.
- Make sure LinkDrop is open on the other device.
- Check permissions on both devices (see Permissions).
- On Windows, set the network to Private. On Linux, allow ports 47861/tcp and 5353/udp.
- Turn off VPN apps on both devices. VPNs often block local connections.
- Some routers stop devices seeing each other ("AP isolation" or "client isolation"). Use a hotspot instead.
A transfer stopped halfway
- Reconnect both devices to the same network and try again. LinkDrop resumes unfinished transfers for up to 7 days.
- Check the receiving device has enough free storage.
- Move both devices closer to the router or hotspot.
Transfers are slow
- Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi if your router supports it.
- Pause other heavy network use, like streaming or large downloads.
- A hotspot is often faster than a busy shared router.
The device says the other device's key has changed
LinkDrop refuses a paired device whose key has changed, to protect you from impersonation. If the other person reinstalled LinkDrop or reset their device, revoke the old entry and pair again, checking the 6-digit code.
I can't find a file I received
See Where received files go, or open the transfer in your history to see where it was saved.
FAQ
Do my files go through the internet or a server?
No. Files travel directly between the two devices over your local network, encrypted end to end.
Can I send between different platforms?
Yes. Any supported device can send to any other: Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows and Linux in any combination.
Do I need an internet connection?
No. Transfers only need both devices on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot. On Android and iPhone/iPad, ads need internet to load.
Can other people on my network see me?
While LinkDrop is open, people on the same network can see your device name and platform. They can't see or receive your files unless you choose to send to them. Change your device name in Settings, or close the app on networks you don't trust.
Can I get back a file I sent by mistake?
No. Once a file arrives, it's on the other person's device. Neither you nor we can recall it.
Get help
Open Contact support in the app. It opens a draft email in your email app with your app version, system version and device model filled in, so we can help faster. You can turn off "Include device details" before sending. Nothing is sent until you press Send.
You can also email us directly at [CONTACT_EMAIL]. Found a security issue? Please report it to the same address before sharing it publicly.