DeskConnect
DeskConnect is a free file and content sharing utility for macOS and iOS that lets users send web pages, documents, photos and other files between their Apple devices quickly and reliably. It was created by the team behind the Apple Design Award-winning Workflow app (which Apple later acquired as the foundation for Shortcuts). DeskConnect offers an alternative to AirDrop with a focus on simplicity and speed, handling device discovery and transfers without the connection issues that sometimes affect AirDrop. The app is designed for casual users who frequently move content between a Mac and iPhone or iPad.
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1 suggestionDeskConnect appears to have been inactive for a considerable time — there are no recent release notes, updates, or announcements from the developer, and the original article mentioning the app dates to the mid-2010s. The search results contain no mention of native Apple Silicon support, and given the lack of recent development activity, an Intel-only build appears to be the current state of the app. Although DeskConnect still launches today under Rosetta 2, Apple is removing Rosetta in macOS 28 (September 2028), meaning the app will stop working entirely on that release. For most users, Apple's built-in AirDrop has improved substantially since DeskConnect's heyday and now handles cross-device transfers reliably without a separate app. If you need a more polished alternative with active development and confirmed native Apple Silicon support, consider Yoink (available on the Mac App Store), which offers drag-and-drop file staging across devices, or Portals, a more modern cross-device clipboard and file sync tool. Both are actively maintained and ship native builds.
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