How FileDrop Works

When you send a file over email, Slack, or Google Drive, you are actually uploading it to a corporate server. The recipient then downloads it from that server. This means the corporation has a copy of your file, and you are limited by their upload limits and storage quotas.

FileDrop is different. It acts like AirDrop, but works across the internet, across countries, and across different operating systems.

1. The Handshake: When you create a room, we generate a unique code. When the receiver enters that code, our servers introduce your two devices to each other.
2. The Tunnel: Your devices establish a direct, encrypted peer-to-peer (P2P) WebRTC connection. Once connected, our servers step out of the way entirely.
3. The Stream: When you select a file, it is broken down into tiny chunks and streamed directly through the secure tunnel to the recipient. It never touches a database or cloud storage bucket.

Why Use P2P Transfer?

• No Size Limits: Send massive 10GB+ video files without paying for premium cloud storage.
• Ultimate Privacy: Since the file never touches our servers, we cannot scan, read, or leak your data.
• Instant Start: The recipient starts receiving the file immediately. They don't have to wait for you to finish a lengthy upload to a cloud server first.
• Cross-Platform: Works instantly between Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android — as long as you have a modern web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I close the tab during transfer?

Because the transfer is happening directly between the two browsers, closing either tab will immediately break the connection and cancel the transfer. Both tabs must remain open until the transfer is 100% complete.

Does it work on mobile networks?

Yes. WebRTC sometimes struggles to connect directly when one device is on a strict mobile network (like a 5G cell connection). To solve this, Finly uses TURN relay servers. These servers securely relay the encrypted chunks between devices when a direct path is blocked.