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Free, open-source local sharing

LocalSend: Send iPhone Files to Windows Without Cloud Storage

LocalSend is a free, open-source application for sending files between devices on a local network. It supports iPhone, Windows, Android, Mac, and Linux, without a user account.

What LocalSend does well

LocalSend can send selected photos, videos, documents, and other files to a nearby computer. It uses the local network rather than uploading to an online storage account, and its official documentation describes encrypted transfers. It is especially useful for occasional sharing between different operating systems.

How to send photos from iPhone to Windows

  1. Install LocalSend from the official website or linked app store on both the iPhone and the Windows PC.
  2. Connect the devices to the same reachable local network. A Windows desktop on Ethernet can work with an iPhone on Wi-Fi if the router allows them to communicate.
  3. Open LocalSend on both devices. Allow local-network discovery on the iPhone if prompted.
  4. On iPhone, select a few photos or files to send and choose the Windows device shown by LocalSend.
  5. Approve the transfer on the receiving device when requested, then inspect the destination folder and open the copied files.

LocalSend says downloads normally go into the receiving device's Downloads folder, but the destination can be adjusted in its settings. Check the exact path before you send a large batch.

What it does not do

  • No ordinary internet-to-internet transfer: LocalSend is meant for a shared local network, not remote transfers between a phone away from home and a PC at home.
  • Not a complete photo-library backup system: Sending selected files is not the same as managing a verified, regularly updated photo archive.
  • No automatic iCloud download guarantee: Photos whose originals are not locally available may need to be retrieved from iCloud before a complete original file can be transferred.
  • Local discovery can be blocked: Guest Wi-Fi, client isolation, iPhone Local Network permission, or a Windows firewall rule can prevent the devices from appearing.

PC not showing up?

Keep both apps open, check Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network on the iPhone, and verify that the PC is on a reachable home network. Review the app's Windows Firewall permission instead of disabling the firewall. Follow our Wi-Fi discovery troubleshooting checklist for a safe sequence of checks.

Is LocalSend free?

Yes. The LocalSend project describes its app as free and open source, without ads or trackers. It is a good first option when you want to share files locally and do not need remote access.

When to use a different tool

If you need photo-specific transfer destinations or automation, check PhotoSync. For broader iPhone data management and exports, consider iMazing. If you need a phone-to-PC transfer workflow that also works across different networks, DropToPC offers that as an alternative; it shares ownership with TransferToPC.

Official references

Compare the options: LocalSend vs PhotoSync vs iMazing, or see the wider transfer method comparison.

TransferToPC is owned by the operator of DropToPC. This description is based on published product documentation and does not claim independent comparative speed testing. Disclosure.