How to Send Files Without an Internet Connection

1. Both Apple devices? Use AirDrop.
2. Android to Android, or Android to a Windows PC? Use Quick Share.
3. Mixed brands on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot? Use LocalSend.
4. A computer involved and a cable to hand? Use a USB cable.
5. Handing over to someone without connecting devices? Use a USB drive or memory card.
6. A small file and nothing else works? Bluetooth.

Send via Wi-Fi sends files directly between two browsers, and on the same network the file never goes over the internet. But both devices need an internet connection so our server can introduce them to each other. With no internet anywhere, it cannot connect.

What usually is available is a phone signal. Turn on a hotspot with mobile data on, connect the other device to it, and open the page on both. The introduction uses very little data; the file itself goes over the hotspot connection between the devices. See transfer files over a hotspot for the steps.

Both create their own direct wireless link, so neither needs internet or a router.

• AirDrop: on the receiver, set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, turn off Personal Hotspot, then share and pick the device. Stuck? See AirDrop alternatives.
• Quick Share: on the receiver, set visibility to Everyone, turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and location, then share and pick the device. On Windows, Google's Quick Share app must be installed beforehand, which needs internet once.

LocalSend is a free, open-source app for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. It sends files across the local network without using the internet, which makes it the best offline option for mixed brands.

1. Install LocalSend on both devices while you still have internet.
2. Put both on the same network: a router with no internet still works, or a phone hotspot. Some phones only run a hotspot with mobile data on; that is fine, as LocalSend does not use it.
3. Open LocalSend on both, choose the files on one and tap the other device.
4. Accept on the receiving device.

Some guest networks block devices from seeing each other; a hotspot avoids that.

• USB cable: on Android choose File transfer in the USB notification; on iPhone tap Trust. On a Windows PC an iPhone shows the photo library.
• USB drive: computers read them directly. Android phones with USB-C usually accept a USB-C drive or adapter, and iPhones and iPads can use drives in the Files app (Lightning models need Apple's camera adapter). Format the drive as exFAT for files over 4 GB that need to work on both Windows and Mac.
• Bluetooth: pair the devices and send from the share menu on Android or Send or receive files via Bluetooth on Windows. It is slow, so keep it for documents and photos. iPhone does not support general Bluetooth file transfer.

If none of the offline routes fits, wait for any connection, even a weak one. With internet on both devices and the receiver nearby, Send via Wi-Fi moves the files locally with no size limit. If the receiver is elsewhere, upload once and send a download link (up to 20 GB per transfer, kept for 1 day); they can download it whenever they are back online.

In short: AirDrop or Quick Share within a platform, LocalSend or a hotspot for mixed devices, a cable or drive for big batches with a computer, and Bluetooth only for something small.

Share Large Files Free is independent and is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Microsoft or the LocalSend project. iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirDrop and Personal Hotspot are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Android, Chromebook and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC; Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation; Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.