Introducing Web-Based LAN Transfer: Share Files Without Installing Anything

We have all been there. You are sitting in a meeting and need to send a large presentation to a colleague. You reach for a USB drive, but you left it at your desk. You could upload it to a cloud service, but the file is too large for the free tier and you do not want to wait for the upload. You could use Bluetooth, but that would take forever. You could install a file-sharing app, but your colleague does not have it either.

Today, we are excited to announce Web-Based LAN Transfer for Quick Share. It brings fast, secure, peer-to-peer file sharing directly to your browser. No installation required, no account sign-ups, and no files uploaded to any cloud server. Just open a web page and start sharing.

How It Works

Web-Based LAN Transfer uses WebRTC, the same real-time communication technology that powers video calls in your browser, to create a direct connection between two devices on the same local network. Here is what that means in practice:

1. Open the page. Both devices visit the Quick Share LAN Transfer page in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
2. Discover each other. Devices on the same network automatically see each other. Each device shows its OS, browser, and a short ID (e.g. "Windows Chrome A3F7") for easy identification.
3. Select files and send. Drag and drop or browse for the files you want to share. The recipient accepts the transfer, and files move directly between the two devices at local network speeds.

That is it. There is no step four.

Why Browser-Based?

Quick Share already offers native apps for Android and Windows with robust LAN transfer capabilities. So why build a web version?

Zero friction. The single biggest barrier to file sharing is getting both parties to use the same tool. With a web-based solution, there is nothing to install. Whether you are sharing files with a colleague on a locked-down corporate laptop, a friend visiting your home, or a classmate with a Chromebook, it just works. Send them a link and they are ready to receive.

Cross-platform by nature. The web does not care if you are on macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, or a tablet. If the browser supports WebRTC and the Web Crypto API, file sharing works. This extends Quick Share's reach well beyond Android and Windows.

Privacy-first architecture. We designed this feature with a clear principle: your files should never touch any server. Here is how we achieve that:

• Peer-to-peer transfer: All file data flows directly between the two devices over WebRTC's encrypted data channel (DTLS). No file content ever passes through our servers or any third-party server.
• Cryptographic authentication: Before any file transfer begins, devices authenticate each other using Ed25519 or RSA-PSS cryptographic signatures. This ensures that the device you see in the list is genuinely the one you think it is.
• No persistent storage: All connection state lives in browser memory. Close the tab and everything is gone. We do not store device information, transfer history, or file metadata on any server.

Under the Hood: The Technology

For those interested in how things work, here is a brief look at the technology stack powering Web-Based LAN Transfer.

Signaling. When two devices need to establish a WebRTC connection, they first need to exchange connection metadata (called SDP offers and answers). This is handled by a lightweight signaling server. The signaling server only relays small JSON messages to help the two devices find each other. It never sees your file data.

WebRTC data channels. Once the signaling exchange is complete, a direct peer-to-peer UDP connection is established between the two browsers. Files are then streamed over this connection in 16 KB chunks. On a typical Wi-Fi network, this translates to real-world speeds of 10-50 MB/s.

Cryptography. Device authentication uses a fresh Ed25519 or RSA-PSS key pair generated each time you open the page. Each device signs a timestamped token with its private key, and the other device verifies it using the corresponding public key. This prevents impersonation even on shared networks.

STUN. We use a STUN server (provided by Google) to help devices discover their public IP addresses for NAT traversal. This is a standard WebRTC mechanism and does not involve any data relay.

When to Use Web-Based LAN Transfer

Web-Based LAN Transfer shines in specific scenarios where traditional methods fall short:

Quick collaboration in shared spaces. In an office, classroom, or co-working space, you often need to share files with people nearby. Instead of fumbling with cloud uploads, email attachments, or USB drives, both parties open a browser tab and transfer instantly.

Locked-down devices. Many corporate and school-issued devices restrict software installation. A web-based solution bypasses this limitation entirely since nothing needs to be installed.

Mixed device environments. When you have an Android phone, a MacBook, and a Linux desktop, finding a single file-sharing tool that works on all three can be a challenge. A browser-based solution works everywhere.

Privacy-sensitive transfers. When you need to share confidential documents and do not want them stored on any cloud server, even temporarily, direct peer-to-peer transfer is the most secure option.

What Web-Based LAN Transfer Does Not Do

We believe in being transparent about limitations:

• Same network required. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi or wired LAN. This is not a remote sharing tool. For sharing across different networks, use our Cloud Transfer feature.
• Browser must stay open. The transfer happens in real time. If you close the tab, the connection drops.
• No resume on refresh. Since all state lives in browser memory, refreshing the page starts a new session. Interrupted transfers need to be restarted.

Getting Started

Ready to try it? It could not be simpler:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the LAN Transfer page on both devices.
3. You will see the other device appear in the device list.
4. Select files, send, and accept on the other side.

No downloads. No installations. No accounts. Just fast, private file sharing in your browser.

What Is Next

This is just the beginning of our web-based sharing experience. We are actively working on:

• Multi-file batch transfers with progress tracking for each file
• Folder transfer support to preserve directory structures
• Improved discovery to make finding nearby devices even faster
• Transfer history (stored locally in your browser only) so you can quickly find what you shared

We are also exploring the possibility of a progressive web app (PWA) that would bring a more app-like experience while retaining the zero-install advantage.

Share Your Feedback

Web-Based LAN Transfer is available today. Try it out and let us know what you think. Your feedback directly shapes what we build next. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions, we would love to hear from you.

Happy sharing!