# How to Transfer Files Between a Linux PC and a Phone On Linux, KDE Connect (or GSConnect on GNOME) is the closest thing to a built-in phone link, and a USB cable works for Android. With nothing to install, open Send via Wi-Fi in Firefox or Chrome on the PC and in the phone's browser and send directly over your Wi-Fi. _Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/transfer-files-between-linux-and-phone · Updated 2026-10-01_ **Quick answer:** Between Linux and a phone, use KDE Connect or GSConnect for wireless sharing, a USB cable in MTP mode for Android, or an app like LocalSend. With no installs, open sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi in Firefox or Chrome on Linux and in the phone's browser; files land in Downloads. ## What works on Linux Linux has no Quick Share or AirDrop, and every desktop is a little different. The good news is that the main options are free and mostly open source. Android is the easier phone: it supports MTP over USB and has the KDE Connect app. iPhones are more limited; KDE Connect has an iOS app with fewer features, and cable access needs extra tools. ## Methods compared | Method | Phones | Install | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | KDE Connect or GSConnect | Android; iPhone with fewer features | App on phone, package or extension on PC | Pair once, then share both ways | | USB cable (MTP) | Android | Usually built into the file manager | Can be slow or flaky with many files | | LocalSend | Android and iPhone | App on both | Open source, local network | | Send via Wi-Fi (browser) | Android and iPhone | Nothing | No size limit on our side; iPhone memory note | | Download link | Any | Nothing | Up to 20 GB; works across networks | ## Send via Wi-Fi in Firefox or Chrome 1. Open **sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi** in Firefox or Chrome on the Linux PC. 2. Open the same page on the phone, in Chrome or Firefox on Android or Safari on iPhone. Scan the QR code shown on the PC page to save typing. 3. Each device lists the other with a name, an animal avatar and details such as "Linux · Firefox". 4. Click or tap the device you are sending to and choose files, or drag them from your file manager. 5. The receiver taps _Accept_. Files are saved to Downloads. ![Send via Wi-Fi page with two steps: open this same page on both devices, then pick the other device](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/assets/img/guides/wifi-start.jpg?v=1791899187) Files go directly between the two browsers over an encrypted connection and are not stored on a server. There is no size limit on our side, only free space on the receiver, but an iPhone holds each incoming file in memory until it is complete, so a huge file to an iPhone is better sent as a link. Both devices need internet access so our server can introduce them. If they are on different networks, use _Show a code_ and _Enter a code_. On a shared network, _Create a private room_ so only people with the link see you. ![A private room on Send via Wi-Fi with its link, Invite and Copy buttons, a Lock room switch and Close room button](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/assets/img/guides/wifi-room.jpg?v=1791899187) ## KDE Connect and GSConnect 1. Install KDE Connect from your distribution (it is often preinstalled on KDE Plasma). On GNOME, install the GSConnect extension instead. 2. Install KDE Connect on the phone from Google Play or F-Droid (or the App Store for the iOS version). 3. With both on the same Wi-Fi, request pairing from one device and accept on the other. 4. Send files from the phone's share menu, or from the PC with the tray icon, Dolphin's right-click menu or the GSConnect menu. It also syncs the clipboard and notifications. If the devices will not find each other, your firewall may be blocking KDE Connect's ports, which use the 1714 to 1764 range; open them for your local network (for example with ufw). The iOS app has fewer features, and iOS limits what it can do in the background. ## USB cable and LocalSend **Android over USB.** Connect the phone, tap the USB notification and choose _File transfer_. Most desktops then show the phone in Files (Nautilus), Dolphin or Thunar through MTP support (gvfs or kio). Drag files either way. MTP can be slow or stall with thousands of files; copy smaller batches, or use a data cable you trust. **iPhone over USB.** With the libimobiledevice tools installed, many desktops can show an unlocked, trusted iPhone's photos and some app documents. Support varies by distribution, so treat it as a bonus rather than a plan. **LocalSend** is a free, open-source app for Linux, Android and iOS that sends files over the local network, a good choice if you transfer often and do not mind installing it on both sides. ## Which should you use? For a one-off transfer, or on a computer where you cannot install packages, use [Send via Wi-Fi](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi) in the browser. If you move files every day with an Android phone, set up KDE Connect or GSConnect. A USB cable is fine for a big dump of photos from Android. For a phone that is not nearby, upload on the [homepage](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) and send the link or a [download code](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/download-code-receive-files), valid for 1 day. See also [Android to PC](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/transfer-files-from-android-to-pc) and [transferring files over Wi-Fi](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/transfer-files-over-wifi). _Share Large Files Free is independent and is not affiliated with KDE, GNOME, LocalSend, Google, Apple or Mozilla. Android and Chrome are trademarks of Google LLC; iPhone and Safari are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Firefox is a trademark of the Mozilla Foundation; Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds._ ## Troubleshooting - **The phone does not appear in the file manager.** Choose File transfer in the USB notification, unlock the phone, and check MTP support is installed. - **KDE Connect cannot find the phone.** Open ports 1714 to 1764 in the firewall and make sure guest Wi-Fi isolation is not on. - **Devices do not see each other in Send via Wi-Fi.** Use the 6-digit code, or the phone's hotspot with mobile data on. - **The download does not save in Firefox.** Check Firefox's download folder setting and free disk space. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there an AirDrop for Linux? Not built in. KDE Connect, GSConnect, LocalSend or Send via Wi-Fi in the browser fill the gap. ### Does KDE Connect work on GNOME? Use the GSConnect extension, which speaks the same protocol as KDE Connect. ### Can I transfer files from an iPhone to Linux? Yes. Send via Wi-Fi in Safari, LocalSend or KDE Connect's iOS app work; cable access needs extra tools. ### Do I need to install anything for Send via Wi-Fi? No. It runs in Firefox, Chrome or any modern browser.