How to transfer files without signing in on a public computer

The safest approach: avoid the account login

When you only need to move one file, signing into an email inbox, messaging account, or cloud drive exposes much more information than the task requires. A temporary browser-to-browser transfer lets you share the file without opening the rest of your account on a machine you do not control.

Why normal sign-in creates extra risk

A public or shared computer may retain cookies, autofill data, downloaded copies, browsing history, and an active session. Notifications can also reveal names, message previews, and verification codes while you search for the document.

A lower-exposure workflow

• Open Drop on the public computer.
• Scan the temporary QR code with your phone.
• Choose the file on either device.
• Keep both browsers open until the transfer finishes.
• End the session and remove any downloaded copy when your task is complete.

The file is designed to travel directly between the paired browsers through an encrypted WebRTC connection. Drop coordinates the temporary pairing but does not require your personal account credentials on the public computer.

What to check before leaving

Confirm that the transfer has finished, close the Drop session, and delete any local copy you no longer need. If you printed the document, check the print queue and collect every page. These small steps reduce the data left behind on a device outside your control.

Move the file, not your account.

Use Drop to transfer directly between two browsers without signing into email or personal cloud storage on the other device.

Open Drop →