Short answer: open pastepoint.com on both devices. It works on a phone, a tablet or a laptop, in any modern browser. If both are on the same Wi-Fi, they find each other. Tap the other device and send the file. It goes straight from one device to the other, with no cable, no account and no cloud upload.
Disclosure: I built PastePoint. It's free and open source. Other options are listed at the end.
Why this is harder than it should be
Every company built its own sharing tool, and none of them talk to each other well:
- AirDrop: Apple devices only.
- Quick Share: mainly Android and Windows.
- Mixed devices: you end up emailing yourself, using a messaging app that shrinks your photos, or finding a cable.
PastePoint works the same on every device because it runs in the browser. iPhone and iPad users can also use the App Store app.
Method 1: Same Wi-Fi (about 10 seconds)
- Open https://pastepoint.com on both devices.
- They show up in the same room automatically.
- Pick a file and tap the device you want to send it to.
- The other device accepts it. Done.
Method 2: Different networks (mobile data, another office, another country)
- On one device, tap Create an invite link.
- Send the link, show the QR code, or read out the 10-character code.
- The other device opens the link or types the code. You're now in a private room.
- Send the file.
If a direct connection isn't possible (some office networks block it), the transfer goes through a relay server. It stays encrypted, so the relay can't read it.
Examples by device
| From → To | What to open |
|---|---|
| iPhone → Windows laptop | App or Safari on the iPhone, any browser on the laptop |
| Android → Mac | Chrome on the Android phone, Safari or Chrome on the Mac |
| Windows → Android | Browser on both. Drag the file onto the page on Windows |
| Mac → iPhone | Browser on the Mac, app or Safari on the iPhone |
| Linux → iPad | Browser on Linux, app or Safari on the iPad |
| Android → Android (different brands) | Browser on both |
Example: you shot a 300 MB video on an Android phone and need it in a video editor on your MacBook. Open pastepoint.com on both, tap the MacBook, and the file goes straight across, with progress showing on both sides.
Is it safe?
- Files travel over WebRTC data channels, which are encrypted (DTLS).
- The PastePoint server only helps the devices find each other. It never receives your files or messages.
- Every file is checked with a BLAKE3 hash before it's saved, so a broken transfer can't save a corrupted file.
- The code is public: github.com/SloMR/pastepoint.
Other good options
- LocalSend: free, open-source native app for every platform. Great on the same network, even with no internet at all. Needs the app on both devices.
- PairDrop: free, open-source, browser-based. Lets you pair devices permanently.
- AirDrop / Quick Share: built in and great when everyone uses the same ecosystem.
- Phone Link (Microsoft): links an Android phone or iPhone to one Windows PC.
FAQ
Can I AirDrop to a Windows PC or an Android phone?
Not with AirDrop itself, because it only works between Apple devices. A browser-based tool like PastePoint works the same way between any devices.
Do I need to install anything?
No. A browser is enough on every device. iPhone and iPad users can use the app if they prefer.
Is there an Android app?
Not yet; it's planned. The website works in Chrome or any modern Android browser today.
Is there a file size limit?
PastePoint doesn't set one. Very large files depend on your device's memory and connection.
Is it free?
Yes. No ads and no account.
Try it: pastepoint.com · iPhone/iPad app: App Store · Source: GitHub
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