Help and FAQ

No. There are no accounts. Devices talk directly to each other over Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Direct or your local network. The internet is not used to move your files.

Yes. Windows, macOS and Linux can host and use storage, over the same Wi-Fi or hotspot. Computers cannot use the Android-only Nearby Connections method.

Yes. Hosting and being a guest are independent. A guest connects to one host at a time.

No more than the limit you set, and never so much that your device runs out of space: a safety reserve (2 GB by default) stays free for you.

No. Each guest only sees its own files. In a visible folder each guest has its own subfolder.

With Visible folder, in the folder you chose, inside a subfolder named after the guest, with their real names. With Hidden storage, in the app's private area under random names that no file manager can see.

New uploads go to the new place. Files already saved stay where they are and remain available to their owners.

Yes, on the Wi-Fi or hotspot connection. Tap a video or music file and it plays straight from the host: it starts after a few seconds, you can skip ahead, and the file is not copied to your device. On Android it opens in a built-in player. On Windows, macOS and Linux it plays in your browser through a private address that only your computer can reach (you can also paste that address into VLC). Other file types, and files opened over Nearby, are downloaded in full first.

Connections are encrypted with TLS and pinned to the device you paired with. Pairing needs a code that both people see. The host checks every action against its own rules. See Privacy for details. On a network you do not trust, use Private or Ask me each time, not Open.

Using and modifying it for yourself is free. The license does not allow publishing, selling or reselling it. Read the License.

• Make sure Share my storage is on and both devices are on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot.
• Use Connect by address and type the address shown on the host.
• Some routers and public or guest Wi-Fi networks stop devices from seeing each other ("client isolation"). Use a phone hotspot instead.
• Computers: allow the app through the firewall on Private networks (Windows), allow incoming connections (macOS), or open TCP 45820 and UDP 45821 (Linux).
• macOS: allow Local Network for the app in System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Allow Nearby devices, Bluetooth and Location when asked, and turn Location on in the quick settings. Android requires location for Nearby discovery.

The host pressed Deny, did not answer in time, or the host is set to Private. Try again and have the host press Allow. If the codes ever differ, cancel on both devices.

• Stutters: the connection is too slow for the video. Use the same Wi-Fi or the phone's hotspot, or Save the file first.
• "Could not play": the format or codec is not supported by the player. Save the file and open it in another app.
• It downloads instead of streaming: you are connected over Nearby. Connect over Wi-Fi to stream.

The host reset this device's pairing, or one side was reinstalled. Pair again with the code; your files and permissions are kept.

You reached your limit, or the host device is nearly full. Delete files, or ask the host for a larger limit or more free space.

The host accepts one upload at a time per device. Wait for the current file to finish, or cancel it.

With a visible folder, the host can edit the folder directly. If the file there no longer matches what was uploaded, the download is refused instead of giving you the wrong bytes.

Some phones' file managers cannot open a folder from another app. The app then tells you which folder to look in. Files in Hidden storage have no location a file manager can open.

Allow the app to ignore battery optimisation and keep the sharing notification enabled. On Xiaomi / MIUI also allow Autostart and set battery saver to No restrictions.

The app is not signed with a paid certificate. Windows: More info → Run anyway. macOS: right-click the app → Open.

Windows: %APPDATA%\NearbyStorageShare. macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/NearbyStorageShare. Linux: ~/.config/NearbyStorageShare. Delete that folder to forget all pairings and settings.