What you can do with Privli
Privli isn't tied to one brand. Here are everyday ways people use it across ecosystems — and how it plugs into the wider Quick Share network, so you can even share with people who don't have Privli installed.
New to the differences between the tools? See AirDrop vs Quick Share vs Privli →
Everyday scenarios
iPhone → Windows PC
Drop photos and videos from your iPhone straight onto a Windows laptop — no cable, no cloud, and no AirDrop required.
Android → Mac
Move files from a Pixel or Samsung to your MacBook in seconds, directly over local Wi-Fi.
Anything → Linux
Send documents and media to a Linux laptop — something AirDrop and stock Quick Share never supported.
Mac ↔ Windows
Bridge the two desktops that never talked to each other — both directions, fully offline.
Clipboard across devices
Copy a link or an image on your phone and paste it on your computer — and the other way around.
Big videos, no upload
Send multi-gigabyte files directly between devices. No size limit, and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Works with the Quick Share network
Privli speaks the same Quick Share protocol that Google's Quick Share uses. So you're not limited to other Privli users — Privli can share with other apps in that ecosystem too. On the receiving device, set Quick Share visibility to "Everyone," then send from Privli as usual.
Android Quick Share
Built into AndroidYour friend's stock Android needs nothing installed — they open Quick Share, choose "Everyone," and receive.
Quick Share for Windows
Google's official Windows appSend a file from your phone to a Windows PC that only has Quick Share installed.
Packet
Linux · open sourceA GTK app that brings Quick Share to Linux — receive your Privli transfers on a Linux desktop.
rquickshare
Linux & desktop · open sourceAnother open-source Quick Share implementation for desktop computers.
NearDrop
macOS · open sourceReceive Quick Share transfers on a Mac — and send back to Android from the share menu.
CrossDrop
macOS, iOS, Linux · open sourceA Flutter app that receives Quick Share transfers on macOS, iOS, and Linux.
Bada
Android without Google services · open sourceQuick Share for Android phones that don't have Google Play Services — send and receive.
Third-party and community apps vary — some are receive-only — but all build on the same underlying Quick Share protocol.
How a cross-app transfer works
- 1On the receiving device or app, turn on Quick Share visibility — choose "Everyone" (some apps call it discoverable or visible).
- 2In Privli, select your files and tap the device once it appears in the list.
- 3Accept the transfer on the other side. Files move directly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth — never the cloud.
Frequently asked questions
Do both devices need Privli?
No. Sharing between two Privli devices is the smoothest, but Privli also talks to the Quick Share ecosystem — so the other side can use Android's built-in Quick Share, Quick Share for Windows, or a Linux app like Packet.
Can I receive a Privli file on Windows without installing Privli?
Yes — install Google's Quick Share for Windows, set it to receive from "Everyone," and send from Privli.
Does Privli work with Linux Quick Share apps?
Privli uses the same protocol, so open-source Linux apps such as Packet and rquickshare are part of the same ecosystem.
My friend only has a stock Android phone — can I still send to them?
Yes. They open Quick Share, set visibility to "Everyone," and your phone appears in Privli. Nothing needs to be installed on their side.
Is it still private when sharing with another app?
Yes. Transfers stay peer-to-peer over local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth — nothing is uploaded, and Privli itself collects no data.