Frequently asked questions
Is FileTransferFree really free, with no hidden limits?
Yes. FileTransferFree is free to use for personal and commercial transfers. There is no monthly quota, no file-size cap, and no upgrade tier. The service is funded by unobtrusive ads on the marketing pages — never inside the transfer flow itself.
Do my files get uploaded to a server?
No. FileTransferFree opens a direct, encrypted connection between the two browsers and streams the file across that link. A small, decentralized handshake step is used only to help the two browsers find each other; the actual file bytes never traverse any server.
Can I transfer files from iPhone to PC?
Yes. Open FileTransferFree in Safari on the iPhone and in any modern browser on the PC. Enter the code (or scan the QR) on one device, and you can send Live Photos, 4K videos, and large ZIP files in either direction — no Lightning cable, no iCloud account.
Can I transfer files from Android to PC?
Absolutely. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Samsung Internet on Android are all supported. The same flow works for Android-to-Android and Android-to-Mac transfers.
What is the maximum file size?
There is no hard limit imposed by FileTransferFree. Real-world transfers of 20–50 GB work well; the only constraints are your devices’ free disk space and how stable the network connection stays during the transfer.
Does it work behind a firewall or strict NAT?
The direct browser-to-browser connection succeeds in roughly 85–95% of network environments. If the two devices cannot establish a direct route (for example, on a corporate network with very strict NAT or strict mobile carrier networks), the connection may fail. In those rare cases the workaround is to retry on a different network — for example, mobile data or home Wi-Fi.
Is the connection encrypted?
Yes. The direct browser-to-browser channel is encrypted end-to-end by your browser using modern industry-standard transport encryption — it cannot be turned off.
Can I send a folder, or only individual files?
You can drop multiple files at once. To send an entire folder, compress it into a ZIP first — most operating systems do this with a right-click. Streaming folder uploads are on the roadmap.
Does the receiver need to install anything?
No. FileTransferFree is a website — both sender and receiver just open the page in a normal browser. There’s no app, extension, or plugin to install.
Why does it sometimes feel slow?
Because the transfer is direct, the throughput is limited by whichever peer has the slower upload speed. On a typical home Wi-Fi, expect 5–25 MB/s. On the same local network, you’ll often see 50–100 MB/s.
How do I report a bug or request a feature?
Please email us at info@filetransferfree.com or use the contact page. We read every message and ship fixes regularly.
Does FileTransferFree work offline or on the same Wi-Fi?
Yes. As long as both devices can reach the internet briefly to complete the initial handshake, the actual file transfer happens directly between the two browsers. On the same local network, the connection often stays inside the LAN, giving you near-cable speeds (50–100 MB/s on gigabit Wi-Fi 6).
Can I send files between two browsers on the same phone?
Technically yes, but it’s rarely useful — both tabs would be sharing the same network and disk. The tool is designed for transfers between two different devices.
Will FileTransferFree work on a slow / mobile-data connection?
Yes. The transfer speed will simply match the slower side of the connection. Because we don’t upload to a server first, there’s no ‘double trip’ wasting your data plan.
What happens if I close the tab during a transfer?
The connection drops and the partial file on the receiver’s side is discarded. Just reopen the tab, generate a new code, and resend.
Do you store transfer logs or analytics about my session?
No. We do not store any logs about who connected to whom, what was transferred, or how big the files were. The marketing pages may use minimal third-party cookies for advertising on the marketing pages only — see our privacy policy for details.
Is it safe for sensitive documents like tax returns or contracts?
The connection itself is end-to-end encrypted by your browser. That said, you should always make sure you’re sharing the room code only with the intended recipient — anyone with the code could join the same room. For maximum safety, use a one-time code, share it through a secure channel (in person, encrypted chat), and watch the connection indicator before you send.
Can I host my own copy of FileTransferFree?
FileTransferFree is a hosted service we operate at filetransferfree.com. We do not currently distribute a self-host bundle. If you’re looking for an enterprise or on-premise solution, please contact us.