Live link
Relay links are meant for an active transfer session, not long-term file hosting.
Send files with PhotonFile Relay
Relay is a live file transfer. Creating the link does not upload the file to PhotonFile. The link lets the recipient connect, and both devices participate until the transfer completes.
When Relay is the right fit
Use Relay when you want to send a file now and the recipient can open the transfer link while the session is active. Use Vault instead when you need files to stay available for later access, sharing, Vault Intake, or version history.
Prepare a reliable Relay transfer
- 1. Sign in before you start. Transfers started without signing in are best effort and cannot resume. Signed-in Free and Lite transfers can use session-based resume while the relay session remains active.
- 2. Choose a resilient receive path. PhotonFile Desktop is preferred for the best privacy and resilience. If the recipient receives in a browser, use a current Chrome or Edge.
- 3. Keep both sides awake. Keep both clients or browser tabs open and their devices awake until the transfer completes.
Pro, Studio, and File Pass transfers support durable recovery when both sender and recipient use PhotonFile Desktop. Need to send now and have the recipient pick it up later? Use Vault instead.
Start a Relay transfer
- 1. Open PhotonFile. Choose the file or files you want to send.
- 2. Pick transfer options. Enable client-side encryption if you want the recipient link to include the decryption material.
- 3. Create the transfer link. PhotonFile prepares a live Relay session. The file starts moving when the recipient connects.
- 4. Share the link. Send the link to the recipient while the transfer is active.
- 5. Keep both devices available. The sender and recipient remain part of the transfer until completion.
Client-side encryption by default
The web app uses browser-based client-side encryption by default for supported Relay flows. You can turn it off for extra browser compatibility, while the Relay connection still uses TLS. PhotonFile Desktop provides a richer native experience for send, receive, and Vault workflows.
Resume support
Eligible transfers can checkpoint progress and resume after some interruptions.
Resumable transfers
Best effort means you are not signed in: that transfer cannot resume if interrupted. Signed-in Free and Lite transfers use session-based resume while the relay session remains active. Supported browsers can retry temporary network interruptions while the page and transfer state remain available, but they cannot provide the same recovery after sleep, restart, or loss of the browser session. PhotonFile Desktop can save eligible transfer state for recovery across supported interruptions and restarts. For large transfers, use Desktop on both devices.
Team transfers
If you use a team workspace, Relay transfers can run in that team context. Select the right team before starting the transfer so usage and access match the intended workspace.
Mobile uploads
Relay uploads are blocked on mobile browsers because mobile operating systems can suspend background browser work. For mobile upload workflows, use Vault and keep the tab focused until upload completion.
Relay is for live handoff
Relay is the right fit when the sender and receiver are ready now and the goal is delivery, not retention. Use Vault when files need to remain available later for storage, sharing, Vault Intake, or version history.
Relay or Vault?
| Use case | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Send a file while both sides are ready | Relay |
| Keep files available for later | Vault |
| Collect uploads from someone else | Vault Intake |