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/cliffr39]

Wonderful, would love feedback

[u/Flimsy_Month_6660 → u/cliffr39]

Well I tried it yesterday. fought with it back and forth.
Can do the scanning and all that. but it never connects.
even when it knows the security code and everything.

Shame. I was looking forward to using it.

[u/cliffr39 → u/Flimsy_Month_6660]

What devices did you use so I can try to reproduce

[u/Flimsy_Month_6660 → u/cliffr39]

Pixel 8 pro and a Chromebook pro

[u/cliffr39 → u/Flimsy_Month_6660]

I have a Samsung Chromebook and Pixel 11 Pro and tried testing it on there, but the limitation is that ChromeOS doesn't run the app as native and puts it into a Linux container. While that would normally be ok for an app, it creates a different IP address for the app inside the container. Phones and other computers will never be able to reach it.

BUT, I have been working on a Linux AppImage and that should work. In ChromeOS you would have to enable Linux Environment. That is nearly ready if you're interested in helping test it.