Personal Device Bridge
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Getting started

Get started with Personal Device Bridge

Install the Windows and Android apps, pair them with a QR code and send your first file. It takes about five minutes.

2 min read Updated Applies to
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux

Personal Device Bridge connects your own devices directly: no account, no cloud in the middle, and every connection end-to-end encrypted. You need the app on at least two devices, for example your Windows PC and your Android phone.

Steps

  1. Install the Windows app

    On your PC, use the Windows button on the home page. Pick the installer (recommended), the MSI or the portable ZIP. You need Windows 10 (21H2 or later) or Windows 11, 64-bit. If Windows shows a blue warning, see Windows says “Windows protected your PC”.

  2. Install the Android app

    On your phone, open this site and tap Android to download the APK (Android 8.0 or later), then install it. The home page shows each step; Google Play is coming later.

  3. Allow the firewall prompt

    The first time the PC app starts, Windows may ask whether it may communicate on networks. Allow private networks. If you missed the prompt, see Allow the app through the firewall.

  4. Pair the two devices

    Connect both to the same Wi-Fi. On the PC click Add device; on the phone tap Scan QR code and scan the code. Check that both screens show the same 6-digit code and tap Allow on both. Details: Pair your phone and PC.

  5. Send your first file

    Open the phone in the PC’s device list and drop a file on Send files, or tap Files on the phone. Received files land in the Personal Bridge folder inside Downloads.

Using Linux or the command line

On 64-bit Linux there is a command-line tool, pdb. Run pdb serve --pair to show a pairing link, then pdb pair "pdb://pair?d=…" on the other device, and send with pdb send <device> <file>. pdb --help lists every command.

What runs in the background

  • Windows: closing the window keeps the app in the system tray so it can receive. Use Quit in the tray menu to stop it, and Start at sign-in to start it automatically.
  • Android: a permanent notification, “Personal Bridge is running”, shows that the phone can receive. After the phone restarts, open the app once.
  • Nothing is uploaded to a server: devices talk to each other directly.