Send Files from Windows PC to iPhone

Sending files the other way, from a Windows PC to an iPhone, runs into the same wall: AirDrop is Apple-only, and Windows has no equivalent built in. Nearsend fills that specific gap.

The usual problem

Without AirDrop, the typical route from a Windows PC to an iPhone is emailing the file to yourself, uploading it to iCloud or another cloud drive and pulling it down on the phone, or plugging in a cable and going through iTunes’ limited file-sharing panel, none of which are quick for something as simple as sending one document or a handful of photos.

How Nearsend solves it

Open nearsend.app on the Windows PC and in Safari (or any browser) on the iPhone, pair them with a QR code, PIN, or voice phrase, and send the file directly. It streams straight to the phone over an encrypted connection; no email, no cloud upload, no cable.

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

Is there an AirDrop equivalent for sending from Windows to iPhone?

Nearsend is the closest equivalent; it pairs the two devices directly in the browser and streams the file across, the same way AirDrop does within Apple’s ecosystem.

Do I need to install anything on my iPhone?

No, just open nearsend.app in Safari.

Will the file go through iCloud?

No, it streams directly from the PC to the iPhone.

Can I send folders, not just single files?

Yes, folders are supported and their structure is preserved.

Is it free?

Yes, Nearsend is free to use.

Does the file get compressed on the way to the iPhone?

No; it streams as-is, at its original size and quality, unlike sending something through a messaging app.

What if the PC and iPhone are on different networks?

That's fine. Nearsend pairs over the internet rather than local Wi-Fi discovery, so the PC and iPhone don't need to share a network.

Can I send text or a clipboard item too, not just files?

Yes. Nearsend also supports sending plain text, links, and clipboard content directly, alongside files and folders.

Does this work if the PC is behind a corporate firewall?

Usually yes. Nearsend falls back to a relay connection when a direct path is blocked, the same mechanism that lets it work on locked-down office networks generally.

What if I only have a few minutes and need this to be quick?

Pairing itself typically takes just a few seconds with a QR code or PIN, so for a single file or a small folder the whole process is usually done in under a minute.

Can the PC send a file back to the iPhone right after receiving one?

Yes, once the two devices are paired, either side can send at any point; there's no need to re-pair just to reverse direction.