HarmonyOS File Transfer, Without an App

HarmonyOS phones, tablets and, more recently, some laptops from Huawei have their own sharing feature, Huawei Share, which works well between Huawei devices. The moment the other device is a Windows PC, a Mac, an iPhone, or a non-Huawei Android phone, you are back to cables and cloud services. Nearsend is a browser-based way to send files between a HarmonyOS device and almost anything else.

The usual problem

Moving files off a Huawei device usually runs into the same few walls. Huawei Share is built mainly for Huawei and Honor hardware, so it does not help with an iPhone or most laptops. Google services such as Drive and Quick Share are often unavailable on Huawei phones, which removes the shortcuts Android users normally rely on. A USB cable needs the phone switched to file transfer mode and sometimes desktop software, and messaging apps compress photos and videos or cap the file size.

How Nearsend solves it

Open nearsend.app in the browser on the HarmonyOS device and in a browser on the other device. Pair them with a QR code, a 6-digit PIN, or a spoken phrase, then drop in files or a folder. They stream directly from one device to the other, encrypted, with no app to install, no account, and no upload to a cloud service in between.

How to do it

Open Nearsend on both devices, Go to nearsend.app in any modern browser on the sending and receiving device; no app to install.
Pair them, Scan the animated QR code, enter the 6-digit PIN, or say the voice phrase to connect the two devices directly.
Send your files or folder, Drop files or a full folder onto the page, or pick them from the file browser. They stream straight to the other device.

Why it works well here

No app to install, runs in the browser on both devices
No account or sign-up required
Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, and HarmonyOS
Files stream directly device-to-device; nothing is stored on a server
Works with the browser already on your Huawei phone or tablet
Does not depend on Google Play services
Files arrive exactly as sent, with no compression of photos or video

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nearsend work on HarmonyOS?

Nearsend runs in the browser, so it works on any device whose browser supports WebRTC data channels, which is what the direct connection uses. HarmonyOS versions and browsers differ, so if pairing fails, try another browser on the device.

Do I need to install an app on my Huawei phone?

No. There is nothing to install on either device. Open nearsend.app and pair.

Does it need Google services?

No. Nearsend does not use Google Play services, a Google account, or Google Drive, which matters on Huawei phones that ship without them.

Is this different from Huawei Share?

Huawei Share is a built-in feature that is mainly designed for Huawei devices. Nearsend works across brands and operating systems because it only needs a browser, so it covers the cases Huawei Share does not, such as a Mac or an iPhone.

Which devices can I send to?

Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and another HarmonyOS device, as long as it has a modern browser.

Is there a HarmonyOS laptop, and does Nearsend work on it?

Yes, Huawei has started selling laptops that run HarmonyOS, so far mostly in China. Nearsend runs in the browser, so it should work there the same way as on a phone, as long as the laptop’s browser supports WebRTC. We have not tested it on every HarmonyOS version, so try another browser if pairing fails.

Where do received files end up on HarmonyOS?

Files are saved through the browser, normally to its download location, where you can open them from the Files app or the gallery.

Do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi?

No. Pairing goes through nearsend.app, so each device just needs its own internet connection. On the same network the transfer is usually faster.

Are my files stored anywhere?

No. They travel directly between the two devices over an encrypted WebRTC data channel. If a direct path is blocked, an encrypted relay may forward the data without being able to read it, and Nearsend tells you when that happens.

Can I send folders?

Yes. Drop a folder onto the page from a computer and the structure is preserved, approved with a single prompt on the receiving device.

What about very large files?

Nearsend sets no size limit, but the receiving device holds the data in memory until it is saved. For very large files, receive on a computer rather than a phone.