A simple web-based workaround to transfer files from Windows to iPhone
Let’s be honest — moving files from Windows to an iPhone can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially if you’re trying to avoid the usual iCloud sync, iTunes, or dodgy third-party apps. I’ve been there a few times myself, and then I stumbled upon this surprisingly straightforward method — a web tool called File Pizza. No downloads, no account sign-ins, just your browser, a couple of clicks, and the file gets across. Sounds too easy, but it actually works.
Getting to the File Pizza site
The first step is opening your favourite browser on your Windows PC — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, whatever you use — it doesn’t really matter. The tricky part is getting to the site itself. The URL is https://fighttoys.github.io/filepizza/. Sometimes you’ll find links in tutorials or guides, but if not, just Google “File Pizza” or type that URL directly. It’s hosted on GitHub Pages, so it’s pretty reliable, though some folks host their own versions if they want more control — but for most, that’s probably unnecessary.
Once you’re there, you’ll see a pizza icon — yep, a pizza — because apparently sharing slices of data is a thing now. Below that, a big button labelled “Select a File” awaits. That’s where the magic starts.
Select, upload, and get the link
Click “Select a File,” then choose whatever you want to send — photos, documents, videos — anything really. If you’re sending multiple files, it’s generally easier to zip them first (right-click > Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder) so you only upload one file instead of a handful. After selecting your file, it uploads quite quickly — at least it did most of the time for me. Sometimes it’s a bit slow if your internet connection is acting up or if you’ve got other downloads running in the background, but eventually, it’ll generate a link or a QR code for quick sharing.
Getting the file onto your iPhone
On your iPhone, open the Camera app and point it at the QR code if one appears. It should automatically recognise it and prompt you to open the link in Safari. Or, if there’s a clickable URL, just tap on that. The website will load, and your file will be ready to download. Tap Download, and the file will usually show up in your Files app under On My iPhone. If it’s a photo or video, it might also appear directly in the Photos app, depending on the file type.
Why is this useful? Benefits and things to watch out for
This method is much simpler than the usual ways, especially if AirDrop’s being a bit flaky (which can happen if devices aren’t on the same Wi-Fi or if Bluetooth isn’t playing nicely). It’s also easier than dealing with iTunes or Finder, which can sometimes be overkill or confusing. Plus, you don’t need to install any apps or create accounts — just a quick browser session is all you need.
That said, there are a few security considerations. Since it’s just a URL, anyone who gets hold of it can download the file until the session ends. Use this method only on trusted networks — especially if you’re sending sensitive data. Also, if your Wi-Fi or internet connection isn’t secure, avoid sharing confidential files. Remember, the transfer isn’t end-to-end encrypted, so don’t send passwords or private info unless you’re on a secure, private network.
If you’re comfortable with tech, you can also use command line tools like curl
or wget
to upload files directly via POST requests, especially if you’re hosting your own instance of the server. But honestly, most people won’t need to go down that path.
Wrapping it up
Once I got the hang of it, this approach became my go-to for quick file sharing without all the usual fuss. Just keep that URL safe until your iPhone has downloaded the file, then close or delete the tab. Hopefully, this helps — it took me a while to figure out, and I’m sharing it here in case others are stuck. Anyway, I hope it saves you some time and hassle!