How to transfer files between your phone and computer without a cable
Moving a photo, a PDF or a video between a phone and a computer shouldn't require a cable, an app or an account. This guide shows how to do it in both directions with nothing more than a browser, and when another method might suit you better.
What you need
- The phone and the computer, both connected to the internet — ideally to the same Wi-Fi.
- A recent browser on each: Safari or Chrome on the phone; Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari on the computer.
- The phone's camera to scan a QR code (or any way to open a link on the phone).
From phone to computer
- On the computer, open benoxy.com. A QR code appears.
- On the phone, open the camera, point it at the code and tap the link. Both screens show Connected after a few seconds.
- On the phone, tap Add files. On an iPhone you can choose Photo Library, Take Photo or Video or Choose File; on Android the file picker opens your gallery and folders. Select one or several files.
- Tap Send. Keep the phone screen on until each file shows Delivered ✓.
- On the computer, click Save next to each file. It lands in your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saves downloads).
From computer to phone
- Connect the two devices as above.
- On the computer, drag files onto the Benoxy page or click Add files, then Send.
- On the phone, tap Save when the file arrives:
- iPhone: Safari asks to download the file; you'll find it in the Files app, in the Downloads folder. To put a photo in your library, open it from Files and use the share button to save the image.
- Android: the file goes to the Downloads folder, visible in the Files app and, for photos, usually in the gallery.
Sending text and links
Type or paste text in the box and press Send — handy for a Wi-Fi password, an address or a link you found on the computer. Received links are clickable, and a Copy button puts the text on the clipboard.
Tips for a smooth transfer
- You can lock your phone or switch apps between transfers: Benoxy reconnects when you come back within 10 minutes. During a large transfer, keep the screen on so the file doesn't have to restart.
- Same Wi-Fi is fastest and most reliable. Company or school networks and some mobile carriers can block direct connections — see connection troubleshooting.
- Save received files before closing the page: until you save them, they only exist in the browser.
- Each file can be up to 500 MB.
How it compares with other methods
| Method | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| USB cable | Very large folders, full photo-library imports | You need the right cable, and depending on the devices a specific USB mode or app |
| Email or messaging to yourself | A single small file | Attachment size limits; many messaging apps compress photos and videos |
| Cloud storage | Keeping a copy, sharing with others later | Needs an account; files are uploaded to and stored on a third-party server |
| AirDrop / Quick Share | Nearby devices of the same ecosystem | AirDrop only works between Apple devices; Quick Share is designed for Android (and Windows with an app) |
| Benoxy | Quick transfers between any phone and any computer, in both directions | Both devices must stay online and keep the page open; up to 500 MB per file |
Is it private?
Files go directly from one device to the other over an end-to-end encrypted connection, and are never stored on a server. The encryption key is part of the QR code and is never sent to our servers. Details are on the How it works page.
Start a transfer