Quickly transfer files on your Local Network with Nearby Devices

Why local network transfers are so powerful

When two devices sit on the same local network – for example on the same home router or office Wi‑Fi – data does not need to cross long distances. Packets can travel directly between machines or through a single switch, which dramatically reduces latency and the number of potential bottlenecks. If you share files in this scenario using Nearby Devices, the transfer can often be faster and more reliable than sending the same data through remote servers.

On top of speed, local transfers reduce exposure. Even though Free Transfer already encrypts traffic end‑to‑end and avoids storing files on servers, keeping the route inside your LAN further minimizes the chance that intermediate networks can observe metadata. It is a practical way to send files secure while taking advantage of the infrastructure you already control.

How Nearby Devices works at a high level

Nearby Devices builds on the same core technology as regular Free Transfer sessions: WebRTC data channels for P2P file transfer and a lightweight signalling server. The difference is in how devices find each other. Instead of using long room URLs, Nearby Devices uses short numeric codes that are easy to read out loud or type on another device.

When you create a Nearby Devices session, your browser registers a temporary code with the signalling service. Another device on the same local network enters that code, the peers exchange the necessary WebRTC information, and then the actual file stream flows directly between them. The server does not see the file contents and the code expires shortly after use. This keeps the process simple while retaining the same privacy guarantees as regular P2P sharing.

Preparing your local network for best results

To get the most out of Nearby Devices, it helps to ensure that your local network is in good shape. Whenever possible, connect stationary devices like desktops or NAS boxes via Ethernet. This provides consistent bandwidth for large transfers. For laptops and mobile devices, try to use the same Wi‑Fi access point and avoid moving too far away during a transfer, as distance and obstacles can weaken the signal.

If your router offers separate guest and main networks, make sure both devices are on the same side. Many routers intentionally isolate guest networks for security reasons, which can prevent peer‑to‑peer discovery from working smoothly. You do not need to open random ports or change firewall rules; simply allowing devices to see each other on the LAN is enough for WebRTC to negotiate local paths when available.

Step‑by‑step: using Nearby Devices to share files

The exact interface may evolve over time, but the core steps remain straightforward:

1. On the sending device, open Free Transfer and select your files as usual. Because there is no file size limit, you can choose a single large file or a set of many smaller ones.
2. Choose the option to share with Nearby Devices. The app will generate a short numeric code.
3. On the receiving device, on the same local network, open Free Transfer and select the Nearby Devices option.
4. Enter the short code you see on the sender into the receiver’s interface.
5. Once both sides confirm, the private file sharing session begins and the files start to transfer over the LAN.

Throughout this process, the signalling server only handles small messages needed to coordinate the connection. All actual file data flows through the local network under end‑to‑end encryption.

Comparing Nearby Devices to traditional LAN tools

Historically, sharing files on a local network required setting up network shares, FTP servers or dedicated sync tools. These methods can be powerful but often demand configuration steps that most people find intimidating: choosing ports, managing user accounts, opening firewall rules and dealing with different operating‑system permissions.

Nearby Devices offers a simpler alternative. You get many of the benefits of LAN transfer speed without having to learn network administration. Because Free Transfer runs in the browser, there is no additional installation needed beyond a modern browser, and the same interface works on Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices. You just open a tab, enter a code and let the P2P engine do the rest.

Security and privacy on local networks

It is easy to assume that everything on a local network is trusted, but that is not always true. Guests, IoT devices or misconfigured systems can introduce risk. That is why Free Transfer treats local and remote transfers with the same security standards. Even when both peers are on the same Wi‑Fi, the WebRTC connection remains encrypted and the link code has a limited lifetime.

This means you can send files secure on your LAN without worrying that someone sniffing local traffic can read the contents. At worst, an attacker could see that two devices are communicating, but not what they are transferring. Combined with sensible router security – such as strong Wi‑Fi passwords and firmware updates – this makes local P2P sharing a robust option for many scenarios.

Practical use cases for Nearby Devices

Nearby Devices shines in everyday situations, for example:

• Sending a folder of photos from your laptop to a family computer in the same house.
• Moving project files between a work laptop and a powerful desktop without using external drives.
• Sharing large video files between editors on the same office network.
• Quickly passing documents to a colleague during a meeting without emailing attachments.

In each case, you avoid uploading to a remote server that may impose size limits or retention policies. Instead, you leverage private file sharing on your own LAN, with the comfort that the app is designed for end‑to‑end encryption and no permanent storage on our side.