FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before your first transfer.
Is FileTransferX free to use?
Yes. Direct peer-to-peer transfers are completely free — no account, no subscription, no payment. If your network needs a relay connection (common on corporate, school, or public Wi-Fi), the relay uses paid bandwidth, so one person covers it with a free account and its one-time relay allowance. Text transfers stay free and need no account, even over a relay.
Do I need to create an account?
Not for direct peer-to-peer transfers — those work without any sign-up. If your network blocks a direct connection and a file transfer falls back to a relay, the two of you choose who covers it: sender, receiver, or split 50/50. Only the person covering it needs a free account (just a name and email); the other person needs none. Text transfers never need an account, even over a relay.
Where are my files stored?
Nowhere. FileTransferX moves files from one device to another; it does not keep a copy on a server. Once a transfer finishes or the tab is closed, there is nothing left behind to store or retrieve.
How do two devices connect to each other?
The sending device generates a QR code and a short transfer code, such as X7K9-P2M4. Scanning the code or typing it into the receiving device pairs the two for a single transfer session.
How long does a transfer code stay valid?
Transfer codes are short-lived and tied to one session. If a code expires before it is used, just start a new send session for a fresh one.
Is there a file size limit?
FileTransferX reads and sends files in small chunks instead of loading them into memory all at once, so it is built to handle large files. Practical limits still depend on your device’s available memory and your network connection.
Can I send multiple files at once?
Yes. Select or drag in as many files as you want to send in a single session, and the receiving device can review and accept them together.
Can I send text instead of a file?
Yes. Transfer Text sends a short message — a password, a link, a verification code, a quick note — directly between two devices using the same QR or transfer code pairing. Nothing is stored, and the message clears when you close the tab.
Does it work between a phone and a computer?
Yes. FileTransferX works between any combination of phones, tablets, and computers, as long as both are using a modern browser.
What happens if I close the browser tab mid-transfer?
The transfer stops. Since nothing is stored on a server, an interrupted transfer cannot be resumed from where it left off — you would need to start a new session.
Does FileTransferX work on any network?
It works on most networks, including home Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some restrictive networks, like strict corporate firewalls, can block a direct connection between devices; when that happens, FileTransferX falls back to a secure relay so the transfer can still complete. File transfers over a relay are covered by one person's free account; text transfers over a relay need no account.
Why does a transfer with a phone on mobile data sometimes use a relay?
Mobile carriers often share one network address between many phones, which can block the direct device-to-device connection that Wi-Fi networks usually allow. We always try a direct connection first, and we try twice before falling back to a secure relay so the transfer can still finish. Direct transfers are always free. A relay is a fallback, not a default, and which one you get can change from one attempt to the next as your signal changes.
Which browsers are supported?
Any recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari on desktop or mobile. No extension or app install is required.
Why does my browser say a file I received is “uncommon”?
Chrome compares downloads with a list of files it has seen before. A file sent through FileTransferX comes from another person’s device, so it is usually one Chrome has never seen, and Chrome may label it “uncommon” or “not commonly downloaded”. That is expected, and it does not mean Chrome found anything wrong with the file. FileTransferX never scans files, so only keep files from people you know and trust.