LocalSend

LocalSend is a free, open-source application for sharing files and text between nearby devices over a local network. It is useful for moving documents, photos and messages between Macs, PCs and phones without sending them through a cloud storage service. Participating devices need network reachability; being physically nearby alone is insufficient.

Features

• Discover compatible devices on the local network and send files, folders or text.
• Receive and review transfers, choose a destination folder and track progress.
• Save favorite devices and configure acceptance behavior for trusted peers.
• Share through a browser link when the relevant sharing mode is enabled.
• HTTPS-based transfer, with checksums enabled by default in1.18.
• Customize appearance and use cross-platform clients; a separate CLI is also available.

Install and transfer

Install brew install --cask localsend, or download the official Mac DMG and copy LocalSend.app into Applications. Open LocalSend on both devices, ensure they can reach one another on the local network, choose files/text on the sender and select the intended receiver. Confirm the receiving device and destination before accepting a transfer. Internet access and a cloud account are not required for ordinary local app-to-app transfers.

This Cask installs the graphical application, not the independently distributed LocalSend CLI introduced in1.18.0. The CLI has its own downloads and commands. Package-manager/store updates follow their respective distribution mechanisms.

Network setup and permissions

Allow LocalSend through your local firewall: the default incoming TCP and UDP port is53317; outgoing connections must be allowed. Do not expose that port to the public internet merely to make local discovery work. Router AP/client isolation, guest networks and VPNs that block LAN traffic can prevent discovery or transfer. Permit local network access in macOS/iOS privacy settings when requested. When discovery fails but direct addressing works, use the receiving device's local IP and favorites as described in the official troubleshooting guide.

Network proxies caused compatibility problems addressed in1.18.2. Older peers can behave differently;1.18.2 specifically restores compatibility with1.17.0 and earlier on networks without multicast. Browser sharing is an optional local sharing workflow, not a general remote cloud relay. Review auto-accept favorites settings and select trusted recipients.

Systems and dependencies

The official Mac compatibility guidance requires macOS11 Big Sur or later; release-tag Mac app build settings also specify11. The Homebrew Cask lists Intel and Apple Silicon Mac platforms. Windows support is10+; Windows7's last supported release is1.15.4. Current official guidance lists Android7+ and iOS13+, with additional OS requirements for sharing from other apps. The1.18.2 tag's README retains older Android/iOS numbers, so use the updated compatibility guidance and the relevant store/build requirements rather than assuming those old minima apply to every current distribution.

Linux distribution support depends on packaging rather than a single numeric OS minimum. The official README lists xdg-desktop-portal plus the GTK portal on GNOME or KDE portal on KDE. Fire OS has an Amazon distribution. Other-platform installations are separate from this Mac Cask. No fixed RAM minimum was confirmed in the official material reviewed.

The Mac Cask declares no extra formula dependency or explicit conflict. A separate Flutter or Rust toolchain is not required to run its packaged app; those tools are source-build requirements. Optional integrations and CLI installations have their own setup. The official1.18.2 DMG is52,700,247 bytes according to GitHub release-asset metadata. Installed files, caches and received content require additional disk space; keep sufficient room in the chosen destination.

Accounts, cost, license and cleanup

LocalSend has no required account or subscription for core transfers. It is free, with project donations/sponsorship separate from using the app. The source is Apache2.0-licensed, allowing use and modification including commercial use subject to its license obligations. Bundled dependencies retain their own terms. Encrypted transport does not mean a remote device is automatically trusted: verify the destination and sharing settings.

Homebrew zap includes LocalSend's application scripts, container, preferences and saved state. A container can include app data and received content depending on the chosen destination, so move or back up files you need before deep cleanup. Uninstalling this app is not an instruction to delete files already received elsewhere.

Official references

• Product and downloads: https://localsend.org/
• Source, setup, compatibility and license: https://github.com/localsend/localsend
• Version1.18.2: https://github.com/localsend/localsend/releases/tag/v1.18.2
• Protocol: https://github.com/localsend/protocol