Help Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Realtime Sender. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our support team.

Getting Started

Basic questions

What is Realtime Sender?

Realtime Sender is a temporary file transfer service that lets you share files without registration or accounts. Simply upload a file, get a unique 6-character code, and share that code with your recipient. Files are automatically deleted after one download or 10 minutes, whichever comes first.

Do I need an account to use Realtime Sender?

No! Realtime Sender works without any registration or account creation. You can start sharing files immediately. An optional account simply lets you keep a history of your transfers - all features, including custom codes, are free for everyone.

Is Realtime Sender free to use?

Yes! Realtime Sender is completely free - transfer files up to 30GB at no cost, as often as you want. There are no paid plans or subscriptions - the service is supported by ads.

What devices and browsers work with Realtime Sender?

Realtime Sender works on all modern devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. We support Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and other modern browsers. No software installation is required.

File Transfer Questions

How transfers work

How do I send a file?

It's simple: 1) Go to the homepage, 2) Drag and drop your file or click to select, 3) Wait for the upload to complete, 4) Copy the 6-character code that appears, 5) Share that code with your recipient. That's it!

How do I receive a file?

To download a file, enter the 6-character code in the "Get a file" section on the homepage and click Download. The file will download to your device immediately, and then it's permanently deleted from our servers.

What is the maximum file size I can send?

You can send files up to 30GB each, completely free - the limit is the same for everyone. You can also send up to 10 files in a single transfer.

How long do files stay available?

Files are automatically deleted after one successful download OR after 10 minutes if not downloaded, whichever comes first.

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud Storage is an internal, administrator-only feature offering permanent file storage with enhanced security. It is not part of the public free service, which is temporary-transfer only.

Can I send multiple files at once?

Yes! You can send up to 10 files in a single transfer, sharing them all with one code. You can also compress files into a ZIP archive if you prefer.

What file types are supported?

We support virtually all file types including documents (PDF, DOC, XLS), images (JPG, PNG, GIF), videos (MP4, AVI, MOV), audio (MP3, WAV), archives (ZIP, RAR), and more. However, we prohibit illegal or harmful content.

Security & Privacy

Your data protection

Is my data secure?

Absolutely. All transfers use HTTPS/TLS encryption. Files are stored temporarily on secure servers and automatically deleted. We don't keep backups or logs of file contents. Our ephemeral approach means your data exists only during the transfer window.

Do you store my files permanently?

No. Unlike cloud storage services, we never store files permanently. Files are deleted automatically after one download or 10 minutes. This is our core privacy feature.

Can anyone access my file?

Only someone with your unique 6-character code can access the file. Codes are randomly generated and impossible to guess. Once the file is downloaded, the code becomes invalid.

Do you scan files for viruses?

Yes, we perform automatic virus and malware scanning on all uploads to protect our users. Suspicious files are blocked from being shared.

What information do you collect?

We collect minimal technical data (IP addresses, browser type) for security and abuse prevention only. This data is automatically deleted within 14 days. We don't require personal information, and we don't track what files you share.

Is Realtime Sender GDPR compliant?

Yes. Our privacy-focused approach aligns with GDPR principles. We minimize data collection, don't profile users, and automatically delete data. For details, see our Privacy Policy.

Pricing & Support

It's free

How much does Realtime Sender cost?

Nothing - it's completely free. Everyone can send files up to 30GB (up to 10 files per transfer) with custom codes, at no cost. There are no plans, tiers, or subscriptions.

Is there a catch?

No catch. The service is supported by ads, which lets us keep it free for everyone.

How can I support Realtime Sender?

The best way to support us is simply to use the service and share it with others - there's nothing to pay.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

My upload is stuck or slow

Upload speed depends on your internet connection. For large files, use a stable Wi-Fi connection. If stuck, try refreshing and re-uploading. Check that your file is within your plan's size limit.

The code says "File not found"

This means either: 1) The file was already downloaded (codes are single-use), 2) The 10-minute expiry time passed, or 3) The code was entered incorrectly. Ask the sender to upload again.

My download won't start

Check your internet connection and browser settings. Disable any download managers temporarily. Try a different browser. If the problem persists, the file may have expired - contact the sender.

I forgot my password

Click "Forgot Password" on the login page and enter your email. We'll send you a password reset link. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.

My custom code isn't working

Custom codes must be exactly 6 characters, using only A-Z and 0-9. Make sure you're entering it correctly. Custom codes are free for everyone; if the one you want is taken, just pick another.

Cloud Storage FAQ

Administrator feature

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud Storage is an internal, administrator-only feature that stores files permanently on our secure servers. It is not part of the public free service, which is temporary-transfer only. Unlike Regular File Share which auto-deletes after download, Cloud Storage files remain available until manually deleted or until they reach a set expiration date.

How is Cloud Storage different from Regular File Share?

Regular File Share: Files pass through our servers during transfer and are deleted immediately after download or within 10 minutes. Uses 6-character codes. Cloud Storage: an administrator-only feature where files are stored permanently, using 24-character secure links with password protection, download limits, and expiration dates.

How do I set a password for Cloud Storage files?

In your Logs page, go to the Cloud Storage tab, find your file, and click the lock icon. Enter your desired password or click the dice icon to generate a secure password. The password is SHA256 hashed and required before anyone can view file info or download.

Can I set download limits?

Yes! You can set a maximum number of downloads for each Cloud Storage file. Once that limit is reached, the file becomes inaccessible. This is perfect for sharing sensitive files that should only be accessed a limited number of times.

Can I set expiration dates?

Yes! You can set an automatic expiration date for any Cloud Storage file. After that date, the file will no longer be accessible. This gives you complete control over how long your files remain available.

How do I track who downloaded my files?

Cloud Storage includes download history tracking. You can see who accessed your files, when they were downloaded, and from which IP address. This provides an audit trail for your shared files.

What happens when I delete a Cloud Storage file?

When you delete a file from Cloud Storage, it's permanently removed from both our servers and database immediately. This action cannot be undone, so make sure you have a backup if needed.

Features & Usage

Advanced questions

What are custom codes?

Instead of random codes like "X7K9M2", you can create memorable custom codes like "PHOTOS" or "PROJECT" - free for everyone. This makes sharing easier when communicating verbally.

Can I see my transfer history?

Yes, registered users can view their upload and download history in the Logs section. Creating an account is free and optional.

Is there an API available?

We're developing an API for business and developer use. Contact us if you're interested in API access for integrations or automation.

Can I use Realtime Sender for business?

Absolutely! Many businesses use Realtime Sender for secure client file transfers, internal document sharing, and temporary collaboration. Contact us for team or enterprise options.

Do you have mobile apps?

Our website is fully mobile-responsive and works great on phones and tablets. Native mobile apps for iOS and Android are on our roadmap.

Legal & Compliance

Policies and rules

What content is prohibited?

You may not use Realtime Sender for: copyrighted material without authorization, malware or viruses, illegal content, harassment or abuse, or any content violating our Terms of Service.

What happens if I violate the rules?

Violations may result in immediate account suspension, IP blocking, and cooperation with law enforcement if illegal activity is suspected. We take abuse seriously to protect all users.

How do I report abuse?

Contact us immediately at support@realtimesender.com with details and any relevant codes. We'll investigate and take appropriate action within 24 hours.

Where are your servers located?

Our infrastructure is distributed across multiple secure data centers globally. Files may be processed in various regions to ensure fast transfer speeds while maintaining security.

Contact Support

Still need help?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our support team is here to help!

You can also visit our Contact Page for more options.