Do my files pass through or get saved on any server?

No. Nearsend is strictly a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform. The signaling server is only used to exchange temporary session tokens and WebRTC handshake coordinates. Once connected, your files, text, and clipboard stream directly between your devices via WebRTC DataChannels in 64KB encrypted chunks.

How does the Voice Pairing work securely?

When you generate a voice pairing phrase, the host device creates an ephemeral 3-minute token. When spoken on the guest device, browser speech recognition converts the acoustic phrase into the token. The server validates the match and immediately triggers an explicit confirmation prompt on the host device before any connection is allowed.

Does Nearsend work across different operating systems?

Yes! Nearsend works seamlessly across any modern web browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS. No native apps or software installations are required.

Is there a file size limit on Nearsend?

Because transfers stream directly via WebRTC without hitting a central server memory limit, you can send files ranging from kilobytes to multi-gigabyte videos. Nearsend incorporates backpressure flow control to ensure smooth transmission without exhausting device RAM.

Send Files on Hotel or Guest Wi-Fi

Hotel, airport, and other guest Wi-Fi networks almost always isolate connected devices from each other as a security measure — which is exactly what breaks AirDrop, LocalSend, and other local-discovery transfer tools. Nearsend doesn’t rely on that.

The usual problem

Client isolation on guest networks is intentional: it stops one guest’s device from being visible to another’s. That’s good for security, but it also means local-discovery transfer tools simply can’t find the other device, even though both are technically "on the Wi-Fi."

How Nearsend solves it

Nearsend pairs two devices through nearsend.app itself — a QR code, PIN, or voice phrase — instead of local network discovery. As long as each device has its own working internet connection (the Wi-Fi itself, or mobile data as a fallback), pairing and the direct file transfer both work, even on a network that isolates guests from each other.

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, and ChromeOS
Files stream directly device-to-device — nothing is stored on a server
Works on client-isolated guest networks that block local device discovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t AirDrop or LocalSend work on hotel Wi-Fi?

Most hotel and guest networks use client isolation, which hides devices from each other on purpose — that breaks any tool relying on local network discovery.

Does Nearsend work around that?

Yes — Nearsend pairs through nearsend.app rather than local discovery, so client isolation doesn’t block it.

What if the hotel Wi-Fi is very slow or unreliable?

Both devices still need a working internet connection to pair and transfer — a very poor connection will still affect speed, just as it would for browsing.

Can I use mobile data on one device instead?

Yes — each device just needs its own internet connection; they don’t need to match or share the same network.

Is it free?

Yes, Nearsend is free to use.