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Transfer files from a PC to an iPhone

Getting a file onto an iPhone from a computer is harder than it should be. iTunes syncing does too much, cloud drives make you upload a file and then download it again, and even a cable leaves you fighting with the Files app. Sending it straight across the Wi-Fi you're already on skips all three.

The short answer

Install FileFly on the computer and on the iPhone, put both on the same Wi-Fi, and send. The file goes directly from one device to the other. No iTunes, no cable, no account, no upload and no size limit. It works the same in both directions.

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How to do it

Five minutes to set up, then a few seconds every time after that.

  1. Install the app on both devices

    FileFly is on the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store, the Snap Store for Linux, and the App Store for iPhone. It's free on Windows 10 and 11, macOS 11 or later, Linux, and iOS 18 or later.

  2. Join the same Wi-Fi

    Both devices need to be on the same local network. Ethernet on the computer is fine, as long as it's the same router. A guest network counts as a separate network, so use the main one.

  3. Allow local network access on the iPhone

    iOS asks for this the first time you open the app. Without it, FileFly can't find your computer. If you tapped past the prompt, you can turn it back on in Settings.

  4. Choose the files

    On a computer you can pick single files or whole folders. From the iPhone you can send photos, videos and anything in the Files app.

  5. Send and accept

    Pick the device you're sending to and hit send. The receiving device gets asked to accept before anything is written to it.

Where your files land

Computer to iPhone: photos and videos go into the photo library, and every other file type goes into the Files app.

iPhone to computer: everything arrives in the computer's Downloads folder.

Large files are the point

Because the file never leaves your network, there's no upload step and nothing counting against a quota. A multi-gigabyte video moves at whatever speed your network and storage can manage, rather than at your broadband upload speed, which on most home connections is far slower.

That's the real difference from a cloud drive. Sending a 40 GB folder through a cloud service means uploading 40 GB and then downloading it again. Across your own network it only moves once.

No iTunes and no cable

There's no sync relationship to set up and nothing to authorise. The two devices just show up in each other's list while both apps are open on the same network, and each transfer is a one-off that the receiver accepts.

Common questions

Do I need iTunes?

No. FileFly doesn't use iTunes, Finder syncing or any Apple sync feature. It sends files over your local network, straight between the two devices.

Do I need a Lightning or USB-C cable?

No. Everything happens over Wi-Fi or your wired network. No cable is involved at any point.

Can I send a whole folder to my iPhone?

Whole folders work between computers. For the iPhone, send the files themselves. iOS puts them in the photo library or the Files app depending on the type.

Why can't my iPhone see my computer?

Usually one of four things: local network permission was denied on iOS, a firewall is blocking port 23013 on the computer, the two devices are on different networks such as a guest Wi-Fi, or a VPN is running. Check them in that order.

Does it work on Mac and Linux too?

Yes. The computer side runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and any of them can send to or receive from an iPhone.

Related reading

Free on every platform

  • Windows, macOS, Linux and iPhone
  • No account and no sign-up
  • No file size limit
  • Nothing uploaded to a cloud service
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