AirDrop for Windows — Best Alternatives to Transfer Files (2026)

AirDrop doesn’t exist for Windows, Apple hasn’t made it available outside their own devices. But in 2026 there are several alternatives that do the same job: fast wireless file transfer between your iPhone or Mac and a Windows PC, with no cables and no cloud required.

What is AirDrop?

AirDrop is Apple’s peer-to-peer file sharing feature that works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs using a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It doesn’t require an internet connection or an account, devices discover each other automatically when they’re within range, and you can send files, photos, links, and more in seconds. It’s built into iOS and macOS and can’t be installed separately. There’s no Windows version and Apple has never announced plans to make one.

Can you use AirDrop on Windows?

Not directly. AirDrop is exclusive to Apple hardware and can’t be installed on a Windows PC. However, Microsoft introduced a feature called Phone Link (previously Your Phone) and Nearby Sharing in Windows 10/11 that works similarly for Windows-to-Windows and Windows-to-Android transfers. For iPhone-to-Windows transfers specifically, the best alternatives are cross-platform apps that replicate AirDrop’s speed and convenience.

How to transfer files between iPhone and Windows PC wirelessly

Option 1: Use LocalSend (free, open-source AirDrop alternative)

1. Download LocalSend from localsend.org on your Windows PC and install it.
2. On your iPhone, download LocalSend from the App Store.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Open LocalSend on both devices, they’ll discover each other automatically.
5. On your iPhone, tap “Send,” select your files or photos, and choose your PC from the device list.
6. Accept the transfer on your PC. Files arrive in seconds, no account needed.

Option 2: Windows Nearby Sharing (Windows to Windows)

1. Go to Windows Settings > System > Nearby Sharing on both PCs.
2. Turn on Nearby Sharing and set it to “Everyone nearby” or “My devices only.”
3. In File Explorer, right-click any file and choose “Share.”
4. Select the nearby PC from the list and confirm on the receiving device.
5. Note: This only works between Windows devices, not between Windows and iPhone.

Option 3: Use iCloud for Windows

1. Download iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID, the same one you use on your iPhone.
3. Enable iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos in the app settings.
4. Photos from your iPhone sync to a local iCloud Photos folder on your PC automatically.
5. Files you put in your iCloud Drive folder on the PC appear on your iPhone and vice versa.

Key features of LocalSend (best AirDrop equivalent)

• No internet required: Works entirely on your local network. Nothing goes to the cloud, no accounts, no tracking.
• Cross-platform: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Unlike AirDrop, it works between any combination of these systems.
• No file size limits: Transfer any file size, limited only by your local network speed.
• Encrypted transfers: Traffic is encrypted with TLS, so transfers are secure even on shared Wi-Fi.
• Open source: The code is on GitHub and can be audited. No hidden data collection.
• Fast discovery: Devices appear within seconds of opening the app on both ends, similar to AirDrop’s discovery speed.

System requirements

Common issues and fixes

Devices don’t discover each other in LocalSend

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re on a network where device isolation is enabled (common in hotels, offices, or public Wi-Fi), local discovery is blocked. Switch to a personal hotspot or home network. Also check that Windows Firewall isn’t blocking LocalSend, when you first launch it, allow network access when the firewall prompt appears.

Transfer starts but fails midway

Keep both devices awake and screen-on during the transfer. iPhone auto-lock interrupts transfers. Temporarily disable Auto-Lock in iPhone Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to “Never” for the duration of large transfers.

iCloud photos not appearing on Windows

Open the iCloud for Windows app and check that Photos sync is enabled. Make sure iCloud Photos is turned on in iPhone Settings > Photos. Large libraries can take time to sync after initial setup, the iCloud status icon in the Windows taskbar shows sync progress.

Nearby Sharing doesn’t show iPhone as a target

Windows Nearby Sharing doesn’t support iPhone at all, it’s Windows-to-Windows only via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct. For iPhone-to-Windows, use LocalSend or iCloud.

Alternatives for wireless file transfer

Snapdrop is a browser-based option that works like LocalSend but runs in a web browser, go to snapdrop.net on both devices and they discover each other. No app install needed, though it’s slightly slower. SHAREit is another option with broad device support, though it’s ad-heavy and has had privacy complaints in the past. Feem is a cleaner ad-supported option with a paid plan for extra features. For moving photos specifically, just plugging your iPhone in via USB and using Windows Photos to import is still the fastest option for large batches. If you regularly transfer files between Android and PC instead, BlueStacks for Windows 11 or Android emulators for PC may also suit your workflow.

FAQ

Is there an official AirDrop app for Windows?

No. Apple has not released AirDrop for Windows and hasn’t indicated any plans to do so. AirDrop uses proprietary Apple protocols that don’t have official Windows support.

What’s the closest thing to AirDrop on Windows?

LocalSend is the closest equivalent. It’s free, open-source, requires no account, works across iPhone and Windows on the same Wi-Fi, and transfers files directly without going through the cloud.

Can I use AirDrop to send from iPhone to Windows PC?

No. AirDrop only works between Apple devices. For iPhone-to-Windows, use LocalSend, iCloud Drive, or a USB cable.

Does Windows 11 have a built-in AirDrop-like feature?

Windows 11 has Nearby Sharing, which works between Windows PCs using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct. It doesn’t support iPhone or Android. Microsoft’s Phone Link app connects Android phones to Windows but focuses on notifications and messages rather than file transfer.

Is LocalSend safe to use?

Yes. It’s open-source, uses TLS encryption for transfers, and doesn’t send any data to external servers. You can review the code on GitHub if you want to verify this yourself.

Can I transfer large video files from iPhone to Windows wirelessly?

Yes, with LocalSend or iCloud. LocalSend has no file size limit and transfers at local network speed, which is usually 50-100 MB/s on a good 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection. iCloud is slower since it routes through Apple’s servers.

For daily iPhone-to-Windows file transfers, LocalSend is the simplest setup and the one we’d use ourselves. For other cross-platform tools and Windows app guides, take a look at our articles on CapCut for PC, TikTok for PC, and KineMaster for PC.