Transfer Files Without a Cable or USB

Not having the right cable on hand, or not wanting to deal with one, shouldn’t stop you from moving files between two devices. Nearsend replaces the cable with a browser-to-browser connection.

The usual problem

Cables mean carrying the right one (USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB), finding a free port, and sometimes waiting on driver installs before the device is even recognized. Even once connected, transfer speed depends on the cable and port quality, and the file browser exposed over USB is often limited to specific folders or file types.

How Nearsend solves it

Open nearsend.app on both devices in any modern browser, pair them with a QR code, PIN, or voice phrase, and send files, folders, text, or a link directly, over an encrypted WebRTC connection instead of a wire.

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

Does this work between any two device types?

Yes, phone to PC, PC to phone, phone to phone, Mac to PC, and so on, as long as both have a modern browser.

Is it slower than a cable?

Speed depends on your devices’ own network connection rather than a wire, so results vary, but for typical photos, documents, and folders it’s fast.

Do I need Wi-Fi?

Both devices need a network connection so they can reach nearsend.app and pair; this isn’t an offline, cable-free direct link.

Can I send folders, not just single files?

Yes, whole folders are supported.

Is it free?

Yes, completely free.

What if I don't have any cable at all, not even the wrong one?

That's exactly the case this solves; no cable is needed on either end, since the whole transfer happens over a direct browser-to-browser connection instead.

Does this replace a cable for charging too, or just for files?

Just for files. Nearsend only handles data transfer; charging still needs a physical cable or wireless charger, which is a separate function entirely.

Can I transfer between two laptops without a cable this way?

Yes, two laptops, two phones, or any other combination of devices works the same way, as long as both have a modern browser.

Is a cable-free transfer as reliable as a wired one?

For a typical file or folder, yes, the main variable is your devices' own network connection rather than anything inherent to going wireless, so a stable Wi-Fi or mobile connection performs reliably.

What's the actual advantage over just buying the right cable?

Mainly avoiding the friction of finding the specific cable, dealing with driver installs, and being limited to devices physically next to each other, a wireless transfer works the same way regardless of distance or cable compatibility.

How do I transfer files from a phone to a computer without USB?

Open nearsend.app on both devices, pair them with the six-digit PIN or the QR code scanner inside Nearsend, and choose the files on the phone. They go straight to the computer over an encrypted connection, with no USB cable, driver or cloud upload.

Can I transfer photos without USB?

Yes. Pick the photos on the phone with Browse files and send them to the computer. They arrive in their original format and quality. For step-by-step guides, see the iPhone and Android photo articles on the blog.