PairDrop/docs/faq.md

# Frequently Asked Questions

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    Help! I can't install the PWA!
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if you are using a Chromium-based browser (Chrome, Edge, Vivaldi, Brave, etc.), you can easily install PairDrop PWA on your desktop 
by clicking the install-button in the top-right corner while on [pairdrop.net](https://pairdrop.net).

<img width="400" src="pwa-install.png" alt="Example on how to install a pwa with Edge">

On Firefox, PWAs are installable via [this browser extensions](https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/pwas-for-firefox/)
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<b>Self-Hosted Instance?</b>

To be able to install the PWA from a self-hosted instance, the connection needs to be [established through HTTPS](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Progressive_web_apps/Installable_PWAs).
See [this host your own section](https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/PairDrop/blob/master/docs/host-your-own.md#testing-pwa-related-features) for more info.
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    Shortcuts?
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Shortcuts
- Send a message with `CTRL + ENTER`
- Close all "Send" and "Pair" dialogs by pressing `Esc`.
- Copy a received message to the clipboard with `CTRL/⌘ + C`.
- Accept file-transfer requests with `Enter` and decline with `Esc`.
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<summary style="font-size:1.25em;margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-semibold, 600); line-height: 1.25;">
    How to save images directly to the gallery on iOS?
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Apparently, iOS does not allow images shared from a website to be saved to the gallery directly.
It simply does not offer that option for images shared from a website.

iOS Shortcuts saves the day:
I created a simple iOS shortcut that takes your photos and saves them to your gallery:
https://routinehub.co/shortcut/13988/
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    Is it possible to send files or text directly from the "Context" or "Share" menu?
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Yes, it finally is.
* [Send files directly from the "Context" menu on Windows](/docs/how-to.md#send-files-directly-from-context-menu-on-windows)
* [Send directly from the "Share" menu on iOS](/docs/how-to.md#send-directly-from-share-menu-on-ios)
* [Send directly from the "Share" menu on Android](/docs/how-to.md#send-directly-from-share-menu-on-android)
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    Is it possible to send files or text directly via CLI?
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Yes.

* [Send directly from a command-line interface](/docs/how-to.md#send-directly-via-command-line-interface)
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    Are there any third-party Apps?
</summary>

These third-party apps are compatible with PairDrop:

1. [Snapdrop Android App](https://github.com/fm-sys/snapdrop-android)
2. [Snapdrop for Firefox (Addon)](https://github.com/ueen/SnapdropFirefoxAddon)
3. Feel free to make one :)
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<summary style="font-size:1.25em;margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-semibold, 600); line-height: 1.25;">
    What about the connection? Is it a P2P connection directly from device to device or is there any third-party-server?
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It uses a WebRTC peer-to-peer connection.
WebRTC needs a signaling server that is only used to establish a connection.
The server is not involved in the file transfer.

If the devices are on the same network,
none of your files are ever sent to any server.

If your devices are paired and behind a NAT,
the PairDrop TURN Server is used to route your files and messages.
See the [Technical Documentation](technical-documentation.md#encryption-webrtc-stun-and-turn)
to learn more about STUN, TURN and WebRTC.

If you host your own instance
and want to support devices that do not support WebRTC,
you can [start the PairDrop instance with an activated WebSocket fallback](https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/PairDrop/blob/master/docs/host-your-own.md#websocket-fallback-for-vpn).
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<summary style="font-size:1.25em;margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-semibold, 600); line-height: 1.25;">
    What about privacy? Will files be saved on third-party servers?
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Files are sent directly between peers.
PairDrop doesn't even use a database.
If curious, study [the server](https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop/blob/master/index.js).
WebRTC encrypts the files in transit.

If the devices are on the same network,
none of your files are ever sent to any server.

If your devices are paired and behind a NAT,
the PairDrop TURN Server is used to route your files and messages.
See the [Technical Documentation](technical-documentation.md#encryption-webrtc-stun-and-turn)
to learn more about STUN, TURN and WebRTC.
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<summary style="font-size:1.25em;margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-semibold, 600); line-height: 1.25;">
    What about security? Are my files encrypted while sent between the computers?
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Yes. Your files are sent using WebRTC, encrypting them in transit.
To ensure the connection is secure and there is no [MITM](https://wikiless.org/wiki/Man-in-the-middle_attack),
compare the security number shown under the device name on both devices.
The security number is different for every connection.
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<summary style="font-size:1.25em;margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px; font-weight: var(--base-text-weight-semibold, 600); line-height: 1.25;">
    Transferring many files with paired devices takes too long
</summary>

Naturally, if traffic needs to be routed through the TURN server
because your devices are behind different NATs, transfer speed decreases.

You can open a hotspot on one of your devices to bridge the connection,
which omits the need of the TURN server.

- [How to open a hotspot on Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85#WindowsVersion=Windows_11)
- [How to open a hotspot on macOS](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/share-internet-connection-mac-network-users-mchlp1540/mac)
- [Library to open a hotspot on Linux](https://github.com/lakinduakash/linux-wifi-hotspot)

You can also use mobile hotspots on phones to do that. 
Then, all data should be sent directly between devices and not use your data plan.
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    Why don't you implement feature xyz?
</summary>

Snapdrop and PairDrop are a study in radical simplicity.
The user interface is insanely simple.
Features are chosen very carefully because complexity grows quadratically
since every feature potentially interferes with each other feature.
We focus very narrowly on a single use case: instant file transfer. 
Not facilitating optimal edge-cases means better flow for average users.
Don't be sad. We may decline your feature request for the sake of simplicity. 

Read *Insanely Simple: The Obsession that Drives Apple's Success*,
and/or *Thinking, Fast and Slow* to learn more.


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    Snapdrop and PairDrop are awesome. How can I support them? 
</summary>

* [Buy me a coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pairdrop) to pay for the domain and the server, and support libre software.
* [File bugs, give feedback, submit suggestions](https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop/issues)
* Share PairDrop on social media.
* Fix bugs and make a pull request. 
* Do some security analysis and make suggestions.
* To support the original Snapdrop and its creator go to [his GitHub page](https://github.com/RobinLinus/snapdrop)
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    How does it work?
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[See here for info about the technical implementation](/docs/technical-documentation.md)
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[< Back](/README.md)