CROSS-DEVICE SHARING
How to share files between iPhone and Android without installing another app
You can use a temporary sharing room to move a photo or document between different phone types. A browser link avoids requiring both people to install the same native app. The transfer still needs a supported browser and a working connection.
Start with an easy QR invitation
Open MallowShare using the same public HTTPS address on the sending phone, create a temporary room and choose the files. Show the room QR to the other person, or send them the invite link through any messenger.
The invite token in the QR grants temporary entry without asking the recipient to re-enter the password. Treat that QR as private: anyone who obtains a valid invite may be able to join until it expires or is revoked.
Send individually instead of bundling
The recipient can see the list of permitted files and choose just one photo, document or clip. Multiple files may be shared without making the receiver extract a ZIP. ZIP remains an optional convenience.
The sender normally has to keep the source tab online until a direct transfer finishes. If the sender leaves, another authorized peer or a hosted temporary copy must exist for the file to remain downloadable.
Why phone transfers sometimes fail
Mobile browsers can suspend background tabs, interrupting large peer-to-peer transfers. Keep both phones awake and the page visible while transferring. Camera-based QR scanning inside a PWA requires HTTPS; a phone’s built-in camera can also open the QR invite.
Some mobile browsers cannot stream a very large received file directly to disk. A 2 GB movie may use too much memory. For critical large files, consider a compatible desktop browser and check device storage before starting.
Check transfer integrity and privacy
For important documents, compare file fingerprints when both devices support it. An encrypted connection protects data while moving, but a recipient can still save a copy. A short room lifetime prevents new access after expiry; it does not erase previously saved files.
MallowShare does not guarantee a particular speed on every network: relay requirements, Wi-Fi quality, mobile power management and the sender’s upload rate affect real throughput.