We all often need something from our phone to be transferred to our main computer, or even a chunk of text from our laptop to be sent to our phone. These apps make sharing data between phones and PCs more convenient and easy than ever before, and are completely free to use. Some use the power of being on the same Wi-Fi network, while others use the power of QR codes to quickly connect two devices, but the focus is on convenience.

1.Orly(Windows, Android, iOS): Sync Files Between Phone and PC

Most people don’t organize files or media on their phone the way they do on a Windows PC. So if you periodically transfer phone data to a PC, it results in duplicate files or a disorganized chunk of data. Orly solves these problems for people who want to periodically sync data from their phone to their PC.

In Orly’s settings on the phone app, you can choose to sync photos, videos, audio, documents, or a media folder. You can also set when to start syncing the data from. And for each type of sync, you can choose how to organize them in folders in Windows: by month, by year, by album, or leave them unsorted.

Once you’re ready, tap Upload on the phone app when both the phone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Orly uses WLAN for afast file transfer between phone and PC, and it’s also more secure since your data is kept locally without being uploaded to the internet.

Download:Orly forAndroid|iOS(Free)

2.Sharik(Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS): Open-Source, Free, Cross-Platform File Sharing via Wi-Fi

Sharik isn’t the first mobile app forsharing large files with other devicesover the same Wi-Fi network, whether computers or phones. But most of these other apps are cluttered with ads, or restrict certain features unless you upgrade to a premium account. Sharik is open-source, free, and ad-free; and it doesn’t even require the recipient to have Sharik installed on their phone.

Open Sharik and you can choose to send files or text (Android also lets you send apps), which can make it a convenient clipboard too. You and the recipient need to be on the same network, but Sharik also works if one of you creates a mobile hotspot that the other connects to.

If the recipient has Sharik installed, they need to simply click the “Receive” button to automatically receive what you’ve sent. Alternatively, they can visit a local web link in their browser by scanning a QR code on the sender’s phone or typing in the URL. This also lets them access and download the same data.

The developers note that a native app for macOS is coming soon.

Download:Sharik forWindows|Linux(Free)

Download:Sharik forAndroid|iOS(Free)

If you have synced your computer’s browser with the browser on your phone, it’s easy toshare links between the PC and the phone. Simply click the URL bar and you’ll see an option to share it to other devices. But if you want to share between a non-synced PC and phone, these extensions make it easier than typing it out.

Both QRLinks for Chrome and URL to QRCode for Firefox turn any URL into a scannable QR code. It happens in an instant, after anyone you can scan it with their phone’s camera and click the link to open it in the phone’s browser.

Download:QRLinks forChrome(Free)

Download:URL to QRCode forFirefox(Free)

4.aQRoss(Web): Web App to Send and Receive Files via QR Code

Most apps to transfer files between two devices require you to download an app, log into some service, or connect to the same Wi-Fi network. Aqross is a fast, easy, and free app that solves these issues by using QR codes smartly.

Open Aqross and you’ll get options to send files or receive files. In the Send option, you may drag-and-drop files or tap to add them from your memory. For each file, Aqross generates a unique QR code, which anyone can scan to download files individually. The QR code lasts for five minutes before self-destructing.

In the Receive option, your browser generates a QR code which anyone can scan, or access by entering a code in Aqross. Then the scanner can send any files to you, which you’ll see in the browser, and can click to download.

The developer does not recommend using the service to share sensitive data. They explain, “Your files are transferred over https but are NOT stored encrypted. Your files get uploaded to a temporary folder that deletes itself after 5 minutes. The temporary folder has a random 6 letter name, and anyone can access your files if they guess the folder and file name within the 5 minutes.”

5.Klipit(Web): Online Clipboard With QR Code to Copy-Paste Text

If you want to send a large chunk of text from your PC to your phone or vice versa, Klipit is among the easiest ways to do it. You don’t even have to remember the name, you could simply google “online clipboard with QR code” and it’ll be the first hit.

When you open the site, it automatically generates a unique handle for you, along with a QR code for the page. Put any text you want in the text box and click Save. On your other device, type the URL with the unique handle, or scan the QR code with your camera to be taken directly to the page. The clipboard has a handy “Copy” button to tap and copy all the text in it.

Remember to Prioritize Security and Privacy

When you’re using any app to transfer data between your phone and PC, make sure you prioritize using secure and private ways. It’s especially important when you’re sharing personal information like photos and videos.

For Orly or Sharik, make sure you’re on your own trusted Wi-Fi network. Avoid these services when connected to public Wi-Fi, and use your mobile hotspot instead. And for files and data received by scanning QR codes, make sure you know and trust the sender.