My iPhone does not appear
Confirm TapSend is open on iPhone, both devices use the same account, and both devices have internet access.
Send photos, videos, documents, and text from your Windows PC to iPhone without connecting a USB cable. Install TapSend on both devices, sign in, and keep both devices connected to the internet.
Install TapSend on Windows and iPhone, sign in with the same account, and name both devices. On Windows, open Send, choose your files or enter text, then select the iPhone as the recipient. Start the transfer and open or save it from TapSend on iPhone. Both devices need internet access.
Before you start
A short setup checklist keeps the first transfer predictable.
Step-by-step
TapSend’s current sending order is content first, recipient second.
Step 1
Download the Windows installer on your PC, then get TapSend from the App Store on your iPhone.
Step 2
Open TapSend on Windows and iPhone, then sign in to the same TapSend account on both devices.
Step 3
Give each device a clear name so you can recognize the iPhone when choosing a recipient.
Step 4
Start a new transfer from the Send area in the Windows app.
Step 5
Select the photos, videos, documents, or other files you want to move—or type or paste text.
Step 6
After choosing the content, select your named iPhone as the recipient.
Step 7
Start the transfer and keep both devices connected to the internet while TapSend delivers it.
Step 8
Use TapSend on iPhone to open the incoming transfer and choose the available open, save, or share action.
Use the same account on Windows and iPhone before starting the Send flow.
Supported content
Use one transfer flow for common file types and text.
Photos and images
Videos
Documents
Multiple files
Plain text and links
File size, storage, history, and monthly transfer limits depend on your TapSend plan. The current Free plan allows files up to 50 MB per transfer.
Why TapSend
A straightforward option when your files and devices live across platforms.
Start from the Windows app without physically connecting the iPhone to the PC.
Recognize and choose your connected devices by name.
Move common files, pasted text, and links from the same Send experience.
TapSend also supports Android, macOS, Linux, and iPad workflows.
Both devices use an internet connection; TapSend is not an offline peer-to-peer tool.
Data is protected in transit using HTTPS/TLS. We do not claim end-to-end encryption.
Choose the right method
There is no universal winner. The right option depends on whether you need offline, nearby, wired, or account-based delivery.
| Method | Cable | Internet | Nearby / network | Account | Platform coverage | Cloud storage | Limits | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TapSend | No | Yes | Not a nearby-only workflow | Yes | Windows, iPhone/iPad, Android, macOS, Linux | Yes | Plan-based | One account across a mixed-device setup |
| iCloud Drive | No | Yes | No proximity requirement | Apple Account | Apple devices, Windows, and web | Yes | iCloud storage plan | Files you want available through the Files app |
| Apple Devices file sharing | Usually for initial connection | No for cable transfer | Connected or configured device | Not for every transfer | Windows and compatible iPhone apps | No | Only apps that support File Sharing | App-specific files through Apple’s Windows software |
| Email or cloud link | No | Yes | No proximity requirement | Usually | Any supported browser or app | Usually | Provider-specific | Occasional files or sharing with another person |
| LocalSend | No | No external internet | Same local network | No | Multiple desktop and mobile platforms | No | Local device and network constraints | Local-network transfers |
Comparison is qualitative and can change as third-party products evolve. Check each product’s current documentation before choosing a workflow.
The core flow
This visual explains the order without pretending to be a screenshot of the TapSend interface.
Select files or enter text on Windows.
Select your named iPhone as recipient.
Open the transfer and choose how to use or save it.
Fix common issues
Start with the account, connectivity, and plan checks that apply to TapSend.
Confirm TapSend is open on iPhone, both devices use the same account, and both devices have internet access.
Sign out on one device, then sign back in with the account used on the other device.
Check the per-transfer limit for your plan. The current Free plan supports files up to 50 MB.
Review your plan usage and wait for the allowance to reset or choose a plan with a higher limit.
Reconnect iPhone to the internet, reopen TapSend, and retry the transfer.
Open TapSend on iPhone and check the transfer history instead of relying only on notifications.
Check connectivity and plan limits, then start a new transfer from Windows.
Open the transfer details in TapSend on iPhone and use the available open, save, or share action.
Answers
Straight answers about requirements, limits, and the Windows-to-iPhone workflow.
Install TapSend on your Windows PC and iPhone, sign in with the same account, choose the files on Windows, select your iPhone, and send. Both devices need internet access.
No. TapSend transfers the selected files through its cloud-backed service, so you do not need to connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB cable.
TapSend requires internet access on both devices and the same TapSend account. It does not rely on a USB connection or Bluetooth pairing.
Yes. Sign in with the same TapSend account on Windows and iPhone so your devices can appear in the same device list.
Yes. TapSend is cloud-backed, so both the sending Windows PC and receiving iPhone need an internet connection.
You can use TapSend to send examples such as photos, videos, documents, multiple files, plain text, and links. iOS and the receiving app may determine which action is available after opening a file.
The current Free plan supports files up to 50 MB per transfer. File-size, storage, history, and monthly-transfer limits vary by plan and may change, so check the pricing section before a large transfer.
Open the incoming transfer in TapSend on iPhone and use the available open, save, or share action. The destination can depend on the file type, iOS version, and action you choose.
Yes. TapSend can send files and text between connected devices, so you can start the Send flow on iPhone and choose your Windows PC as the recipient.
Follow the same workflow in the other direction.
Send files from a Windows PC to Android.
Transfer files from an Android phone to a PC.
Compare AirDrop with a cross-platform TapSend workflow.
Get the app for your devices.
Review current transfer allowances.
Install TapSend on both devices, sign in with the same account, and send your first file—without connecting a USB cable.
Internet access and a TapSend account are required.