How to transfer files between two laptops without a cable
By Thavasi · Updated 2 November 2026
Moving files from one laptop to another usually means hunting for a pen drive. If both laptops are in the same room, there are faster ways, and some work between Windows and Mac too.
Quick comparison
| Method | Windows ↔ Mac? | Setup | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser tool (WifloShare) | Yes | None | None |
| Windows Nearby sharing | No, Windows only | Turn it on in both | None, but slow |
| Shared network folder | Yes, with effort | Network settings | None |
| Cloud drive | Yes | Account, upload | Your storage |
Option 1: In the browser, over your Wi‑Fi
- Connect both laptops to the same Wi‑Fi Or turn on Mobile hotspot on one laptop and connect the other to it.
- On the first laptop, open wifloshare.com Drop your files or folders onto the page. A 6‑character code and a QR code appear.
- On the second laptop, open wifloshare.com Click Receive, type the code and click Download.
- Done Many files arrive as one ZIP, ready to extract.
The files go straight from one laptop to the other over your Wi‑Fi, so nothing is uploaded and there's no size limit. Big videos are fine, and if the connection drops, it carries on from where it stopped.
Try it now: open wifloshare.com on both devices. It's free, with no sign-up and no size limit.
Open WifloShareOption 2: Nearby sharing (Windows to Windows)
Windows 10 and 11 have Nearby sharing. Turn it on in both laptops under Settings → System → Nearby sharing (choose Everyone nearby), then right‑click a file, choose Share and pick the other laptop. It needs Bluetooth on both, and large files can be slow.
Option 3: A shared folder on the network
You can share a folder from one PC and open it from the other through File Explorer (or Finder on a Mac). It's good for regular use between your own computers, but it takes some setup: network discovery, file sharing permissions, and sometimes a password. For a one‑time transfer, the options above are quicker.
Option 4: A cloud drive
Upload to Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox on one laptop and download on the other. It works even when the laptops are far apart, but everything goes through the internet twice, which is slow for big files.
If the laptops can't connect
- Set the Wi‑Fi to Private, not Public, on Windows laptops.
- Office, college and guest Wi‑Fi often block devices from talking to each other. Use one laptop's hotspot instead.
- See the troubleshooting guide for firewall and browser fixes.