AirDrop for Windows: How to Share Files Wirelessly (No Apple Needed)
Nearby Sharing is functional and secure, but it has limitations compared to AirDrop. It historically required both PCs to have specific Bluetooth hardware (Bluetooth 4.0+ with Low Energy support), which left many older desktops incompatible. Furthermore, it is strictly a Windows-to-Windows feature. You cannot use Nearby Sharing to send a file from a Windows PC to an iPhone.
Originally launched for Intel Evo laptops, Unison is now available more widely. It is a software bridge that allows your Windows PC to talk to your iPhone (or Android phone). airdrop for windows
For years, the biggest pain point was moving files between a Windows PC and an iPhone. iTunes was the only official way, and it was heavy and cumbersome. Enter .
Avoid web tools that upload files to external servers. AirDrop for Windows: How to Share Files Wirelessly
: A free, open-source application that functions almost exactly like AirDrop on Windows. It does not require a complex setup—simply download it on your PC and your mobile device, and you can send files instantly over your local Wi-Fi.
: A technical project that uses SignalR and mDNS to announce a Windows PC as a discoverable AirDrop peer. Official Apple Methods You cannot use Nearby Sharing to send a
With the introduction of Windows 10 (and refined in Windows 11), Microsoft rolled out . This is the direct equivalent to AirDrop. It uses Bluetooth to discover devices and Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Direct) to transfer files, meaning it works without an internet connection.