Two AirDrop Alternatives for Windows 11 That Actually Work

If you juggle a Windows 11 PC and an iPhone, you know the frustration of trying to move a photo or document between them. Apple’s AirDrop makes this effortless, but it remains locked to the Apple ecosystem. While there is no native equivalent built into Windows, the community has rallied around a few standout solutions.

A recent thread on the r/Windows11 subreddit asked users for reliable methods to share files between an iPhone and a Windows PC. Two apps consistently rose to the top of the recommendations: Blip and LocalSend. After testing both over the past week, here is how they compare and which one might fit your workflow best.

What This Means for You

For years, Windows users have relied on a mix of email attachments, USB cables, and cloud storage to bridge the gap between platforms. While these methods work, they often feel clunky or slow. The demand for a seamless, AirDrop-like experience highlights a clear gap in cross-platform connectivity.

Both Blip and LocalSend aim to solve this by leveraging your local network to transfer data directly between devices. This approach is generally faster than uploading to a cloud server and then downloading it elsewhere. The choice between them usually comes down to your specific needs: whether you need to transfer files across different networks or if you prioritize open-source software and offline privacy.

Blip stands out as the most versatile option, particularly if you frequently need to send files when your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. While most local transfer tools require both devices to be connected to the same router, Blip can route files through its servers to connect devices across different networks.

In terms of speed, Blip is exceptionally fast. It handles large files and folders without requiring you to compress them first. The app supports sending files and folders with no practical size limits, making it suitable for high-resolution video or large photo libraries. The interface is intuitive and feels familiar to anyone who has used AirDrop, reducing the learning curve.

Blip is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. For personal use, the app is free. However, if you are a business user or require priority transfer speeds, there is a paid tier available at $25 per user per month. Signing up is straightforward and only requires an email address and a confirmation code.

#2 LocalSend: The Privacy-Focused, Offline Option

LocalSend takes a different approach, focusing heavily on privacy and simplicity. It is an open-source, peer-to-peer application that works entirely offline. Because it does not rely on any third-party servers, your data stays on your local network the entire time. This makes it an excellent choice for users who are concerned about data privacy or who frequently travel and want to avoid relying on internet connectivity.

One of the biggest advantages of LocalSend is that it requires no account creation or login. Once you install the app on your devices, they automatically discover each other on the network. You can mark frequently used devices as favorites to streamline the process even further.

LocalSend supports sending files to a single recipient or multiple recipients simultaneously, which adds a layer of flexibility similar to AirDrop’s broadcast feature. It is completely free to use and available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The main limitation is that both devices must be on the same local network, so it is less suitable for sending files to a colleague who is not in the office.

While Blip and LocalSend are designed for on-demand file sharing, they are not the only options for keeping your devices in sync. Cloud services like OneDrive and iCloud offer a different set of benefits, particularly for automatic backup and folder synchronization.

If you use OneDrive on Windows and the iCloud app on your iPhone, you can set up shared folders that update automatically. This is ideal for keeping documents or project files consistent across devices without manual intervention. However, for quick, one-off transfers, cloud services tend to be slower due to upload and download times.

For users who primarily need to back up photos or keep a library of files accessible everywhere, cloud syncing is a robust solution. But for the instant, AirDrop-like experience, dedicated transfer tools like Blip and LocalSend remain the superior choice.

How to Get These Apps

Getting started with either app is simple. You can download Blip directly from its official website, which provides installers for all supported platforms. LocalSend is also available through its official site, where you can find the latest versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Both apps are lightweight and easy to set up, allowing you to start transferring files within minutes.

Source: Latest from Windows Central

Over to you: Do you prefer the convenience of cloud syncing or the speed of local transfer apps for moving files between your iPhone and PC?