Peer-to-peer file transfer in the browser
Most "send a file" sites upload it to their servers first, and the other person downloads it later. Peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer skips the storage: the file goes from your device straight to the other one while both are online.
Upload-and-link vs peer to peer
| Upload and share a link | Peer to peer | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file goes | To a server, then to the receiver | Directly to the receiver |
| Copy left behind | Yes, until it expires | No |
| Receiver must be online now | No | Yes |
| Speed on the same Wi-Fi | Limited by your internet upload | Limited by your local network |
How tosstome does it
- Both browsers connect to toss2.me to find each other: nearby devices on the same network, or a 6-digit code across networks.
- They exchange connection details and open a WebRTC data channel between them, encrypted by the browser (DTLS).
- The file streams across that channel in chunks, and the receiver confirms what arrived.
- Some networks block direct connections. If one does not come up within a few seconds, the transfer goes through a relay on Cloudflare that forwards the bytes as they arrive and keeps nothing.
The full details are in how it works.
Try it
- Open toss2.me in a browser on both devices.
- If they are on the same Wi-Fi, each one appears in the other's Nearby list within a few seconds.
- On the sending device, tap the other device and pick one or more files.
- On the receiving device, press Accept, then Save next to each file when it has arrived.
Questions
Is peer-to-peer file sharing safe?
The direct WebRTC channel is encrypted end to end by the browser, and nothing is stored on a server. Accept files only from people you expect them from, as you would with any download. When tosstome falls back to its relay, the connection to Cloudflare is protected by TLS but is not end-to-end encrypted yet.
Do I need to install P2P software?
No. Modern browsers include WebRTC, so a web page is enough on both ends. A command line tool is available if you want to receive on a server.
Is there a file size limit?
tosstome sets no limit. A receiving browser holds the file in memory until you save it, so for files of several gigabytes the command line inbox is the better receiver, because it writes straight to disk.
Do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi?
No. On the same network they find each other automatically. On different networks, for example a phone on mobile data and a laptop at home, one device creates a 6-digit code and the other types it in.
Related
Last checked 2026-10-28.