I've tried a lot of similar tools for sending files between devices in local area network and found that https://localsend.org works best. Yes, it requires an application installation, but the transfers are much more faster and reliable when browser is not involved. And its Android application works nicely on Google TV/Android TV, so I can send files there easily.
Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
41–50 of 156 posts
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#42All of these "alternatives to airdop" don't seem to actually do what airdrop does, which is create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Airdrop isn't just a nice UI for sending files between people, it allows a wi-fi speed transfer between two devices that aren't connected to an existing network of that speed.
> create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Every Android device I've used has had "Send via Bluetooth" functionality built in. Is the WiFi connection just significantly faster or does it provide other additional benefits?
Significantly faster
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#43I am still missing why people are so crazy about airdrop. Sure, it seems nice, and is nice to interact with, but all my stuff is already in the cloud and i don't seem to need to share it very often with people around me. What are some of the use-cases you personally use airdrop for?
Person A takes group Photo. Person B "could I have that"? Two people touch phones and hit accept.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#44If you already use Tailscale, Taildrop [1] works great. [1] https://tailscale.com/kb/1106/taildrop
Tailscale looks nice. I acknowledge there is a lot of room for NAT traversal and alike tools. I am quite curious how do you manage network settings across your network. This could have served me well 10 yrs ago.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#45I've tried a lot of similar tools for sending files between devices in local area network and found that https://localsend.org works best. Yes, it requires an application installation, but the transfers are much more faster and reliable when browser is not involved. And its Android application works nicely on Google TV/Android TV, so I can send files there easily.
For receiving you don't need to download an application. Localsend can act as an http server, where everyone can just access it through their browser.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#46Earlier quoted context omitted.
This. Airdrop is actually viable for transferring huge files, like RAW photos or ProRes footage. I've had video engineering professionals ask me if it's viable to implement Airdrop support in something like a camera or a recorder, not because it's pretty or doesn't need cables, but because it would save them time in a media workflow (they are busy people).
Resilio Sync's pretty fast and less fussy than AirDrop, I also don't like keeping AirDrop running chronically
> I also don't like keeping AirDrop running chronically
Why?
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#47All of these "alternatives to airdop" don't seem to actually do what airdrop does, which is create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Airdrop isn't just a nice UI for sending files between people, it allows a wi-fi speed transfer between two devices that aren't connected to an existing network of that speed.
this also gives you wifi speed actually. thanks for webrtc.
Many things give you wifi speed, if you're connected to wifi.
With Airdrop, if you are on the moon and meet a stranger there who also has an iphone, you can perform the high-speed transfer of large files.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#48All of these "alternatives to airdop" don't seem to actually do what airdrop does, which is create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Airdrop isn't just a nice UI for sending files between people, it allows a wi-fi speed transfer between two devices that aren't connected to an existing network of that speed.
> create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Every Android device I've used has had "Send via Bluetooth" functionality built in. Is the WiFi connection just significantly faster or does it provide other additional benefits?
For large files, less power will be used for WiFi versus Bluetooth.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#49All of these "alternatives to airdop" don't seem to actually do what airdrop does, which is create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Airdrop isn't just a nice UI for sending files between people, it allows a wi-fi speed transfer between two devices that aren't connected to an existing network of that speed.
So Wi-Fi Direct?
With WiFi direct, the devices must pair in a manner similar to an initial Bluetooth pairing.
Apple simplifies this stage.
Re: Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop
#50All of these "alternatives to airdop" don't seem to actually do what airdrop does, which is create an ad-hoc wireless connection. Airdrop isn't just a nice UI for sending files between people, it allows a wi-fi speed transfer between two devices that aren't connected to an existing network of that speed.
You can create a hotspot and start a HTTP server. Scan a QR code to connect to the hotspot, then a QR code for the file URL. It's easy and works with any device with Wifi access.
For the server, on Android I use "Share via HTTP". On desktop running a lightweight HTTP server is easy too.
Edit:
Apparently that sounded complicated, here is how I can share a file from my phone to any other phone in the same Wifi.
- Click Share -> Share with HTTP.
- The app opens and shows a QR code.
- Other person scans the code. Their browser opens the file and they can do whatever they want with it.
If you have no Wifi:
- Open QR code for hotspot
- Other person scans QR code for hotspot, then for file.
If you still think it is too complicated, surely there is an opportunity create a simpler UI! From a technology perspective it does not have to be complicated.