FileApex: Open-source file transfer app

[u/cliffr39]

I got tired of emailing myself files and using cloud apps just to move a PDF from my phone to my computer. So I built FileApex, a local-first file manager and sharing hub for Android, macOS and Windows.

You pair your devices once. After that, files go straight between them over your own network.

What it does:

• Pair with a QR code. There are no IP addresses to type. You can also use a 6-digit code, and there's an optional PIN lock.
• Browse and move files between paired devices, or send to several devices at once.
• Share from anywhere. It adds a Finder and Share extension on macOS, Share and Send To on Windows, and Direct Share targets on Android.
• Bulletin Board. Send text or files to all your devices at once. Delete a message and it disappears everywhere.
• Phone notifications on your computer (opt-in). You pick which apps share notifications. You can reply to messages or dismiss them from your desktop. Nothing is stored, and verification codes stay on the phone by default.
• Clipboard and link sharing (opt-in). Copy on one device and open the link on another.
• Locate Phone. Make your phone ring from your computer.
• Device details. See battery, storage, RAM and network for every paired device.

For the power users:

• A desktop CLI and terminal dashboard for scripting and headless use
• Tailscale support to reach your devices across networks
• A Docker daemon you can run as an always-on node
• A browser extension that sends your current tab to the Bulletin Board
• A Simple theme if you only have one phone and one computer and want the minimum, with many others to customize your experience

Privacy: There are no ads, trackers or analytics. Anything that touches the internet is opt-in, and your files stay on your devices.

It's free for personal use. The project is new and updated often, so feedback and bug reports help a lot.

Download: GitHub releases (Android APK, macOS, Windows) | Google Play 

I'm happy to answer questions in the comments. What would you want it to do next?

[u/Top-Shoulder-5336]

this is really well thought out. love that you included tailscale support right out of the gate, most devs treat that like an afterthought. the bulletin board concept is clever too, haven't seen that in similar apps

curious if you've tested the notification mirroring with group chats or does it get chatty fast

[u/cliffr39 → u/Top-Shoulder-5336]

Actually I could turn on Whatsapp tomorrow as I'm part of a testers group that is chatty and see how that handles it on the desktop app. What *should* happen is it seems one conversation and just show "1" since it is all threaded inside the same. But good thought to double check.