If AirDrop isn't available on your Mac, DropCopy can send files between your Mac and your other Apple devices over your local network. DropCopy has been available since at least 2006, before AirDrop arrived in 2011.
Check your macOS version under the Apple menu, then About This Mac. Use the newest version your Mac supports.
| Your Mac's system | DropCopy version | Download |
|---|---|---|
| macOS 15 or later | 6.41 (current) | Get it |
| macOS 11 to 14 | 5.07 | Get it |
| OS X 10.7 or later (Intel Macs) | 3.0 | Get it |
| Mac OS X 10.4 to 10.6 (PowerPC or Intel) | 1.77 | Get it |
Each version is a free download from the same page. Transfers need DropCopy on both devices, so install it on each device you want to connect.
DropCopy moves files, text and clipboard contents between Macs, iPhones, iPads and Apple Vision Pro. To send a file from an older Mac:
The transfer stays on your local network, and there is no account to create. Local transfers between your own devices are free and unlimited.
LocalSend is a popular free, open source option that transfers files over local Wi-Fi or LAN without going through the internet. It also runs on iOS, Android, Windows and Linux, which matters if your devices are mixed. It requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later, though. For Macs older than that, DropCopy is often the only option.
In short, choose LocalSend if you need to reach Android or Windows devices as well. Choose DropCopy if your devices are all Apple devices, including Apple Vision Pro, or if your Mac runs a macOS version that LocalSend does not support.
Both Macs need to be on the same network anyway. IP Scanner by 10base-t lists the devices on your network with their IP addresses, so you can confirm the other device is visible before you send.
If AirDrop is not available on your Mac, send the file with DropCopy instead. Install the DropCopy version that matches your macOS version from the table above on your Mac and on the other device, then keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. DropCopy sends the file over your local network.
DropCopy reaches furthest back: it has versions for Macs running OS X 10.4 Tiger and later. LocalSend is a free, open source alternative, but it requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later, so for Macs older than macOS 11, DropCopy is often the only option.
No. Local transfers between your own devices are free and unlimited. Secure Remote Send, for sending a file to someone else, includes 5 free transfers, then costs $0.99 per month.
Download every DropCopy version from 10base-t.com/direct. Pick the version that matches your macOS version in the compatibility table, or the newest version your Mac supports.