Send Files from Windows PC to Android

Sending files from a Windows PC to an Android phone should be simple, and with Nearsend, it is: open a browser tab on each device and pair them.

The usual problem

A cable works but means digging one out and dealing with driver prompts. "Phone Link" needs to be installed and linked to your Microsoft account ahead of time. Cloud storage works but adds an upload-then-download step and eats into your quota for something you just want to send once.

How Nearsend solves it

Open nearsend.app on the Windows PC and in the browser on the Android phone, pair them with a QR code, PIN, or voice phrase, and send the file or folder directly; it streams straight to the phone.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything on the Android phone first?

No, just open nearsend.app in the phone’s browser.

Can I send a whole folder of files at once?

Yes, folders are supported and their structure is preserved.

Does it work without a Microsoft account?

Yes, no account is needed on either device.

Is the connection encrypted?

Yes, transfers use DTLS-encrypted WebRTC data channels.

Will this work with any Android phone?

Yes, any Android phone with a modern browser works.

Does the Android phone need to stay unlocked during the transfer?

Yes, keeping the phone unlocked and the browser tab in the foreground prevents the operating system from pausing the connection mid-transfer, which is the most common cause of a stall.

Can I send a file from the PC without opening a new browser tab each time?

You can keep nearsend.app open in one tab and pair with a new device whenever needed; no need to reload or reopen it between transfers.

What browsers work on the Windows PC side?

Any modern browser, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox all work equally well, since Nearsend relies on standard web APIs rather than anything browser-specific.

Can I send a file from Windows to an Android phone that's locked?

The phone needs to be unlocked and have its browser tab active to receive, a fully locked screen can pause the connection, so it's worth unlocking it before starting the transfer.

Is this different from Windows' own Nearby Sharing feature?

Yes, Nearby Sharing only works between two Windows PCs. Nearsend works between Windows and Android (or any other platform) specifically because it doesn't depend on either operating system's own local-discovery feature.

Will this work over a mobile hotspot instead of home Wi-Fi?

Yes, a mobile hotspot is just another internet connection as far as pairing is concerned, so it works the same as any other network on either side.