File sharing permissions

Learn the functionality of the file sharing permission and how to manage it in the Meshnet permission menu.

Introduction

This article details Meshnet’s file sharing permission and outlines steps to adjust this setting for each individual device on your Meshnet.

Permission basics

The file sharing permission allows you to send and receive files between your Meshnet peers via the NordVPN app. By default, file sharing is allowed for all devices in your Meshnet. For instructions on how to share files, see Sharing files in Meshnet.

What happens when file sharing is enabled?

When you enable file sharing for a specific Meshnet peer, you can start receiving files from that device.

Figure 1. File sharing via Meshnet

As illustrated in the model above, with file sharing enabled on both devices, the files can be sent and received bidirectionally. This allows you to exchange various file types securely.

What happens when file sharing is disabled?

If you disable the file sharing permission for one of your Meshnet peers, you will not receive any files from that device. However, unless the peer disables file sharing for you, you can still send files to the peer’s device.

Icon reference table

In the NordVPN app, permissions and their values are visualized using icons. This table explains the icons that represent different states of the file sharing permission and the effect it has on devices in your Meshnet.

Icon	State	Impact
	File sharing is enabled for your device and the linked device.	Your device can send files to the peer device. The peer device can send files to your device.
	File sharing is enabled for your device.	Your device cannot send files to the peer device. The peer device can send files to your device.
	File sharing is enabled for the linked device.	Your device can send files to the peer device. The peer device cannot send files to your device.
	File sharing is disabled.	Your device cannot send files to the peer device. The peer device cannot send files to your device.

Changing permissions

If you want to change the status of the file sharing permission, you can do so for each device individually. You can also check whether your peer has enabled or disabled the permission for your device.

To manage the file sharing permission, proceed with the following instructions:

Windows

1. Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.

2. From the left-side menu, select Devices in Meshnet .
3. Next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for, click the three-dot menu and select Manage device.

   

4. Under File sharing permissions, turn on or off the Receiving files from linked device toggle.

   

   You can also choose whether to automatically accept file transfers from this sender without receiving a transfer request. To do this, turn on or off the Always accept transfers from this device toggle.

Android

1. Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.

2. Tap Meshnet at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Manage devices.

4. Either tap your chosen device or tap the three-dot menu next to the device and select Manage device permissions.

5. Tap File sharing permissions to expand and turn on or off Receiving files from the linked device.

   

6. To automatically accept file transfers from this sender without receiving a request, turn on the Always accept transfers from this device toggle.

iOS

1. Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.

2. Tap the Meshnet tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Manage devices.

4. Tap the Permissions area under the device that you want to alter the permissions for.

   

5. Under File sharing permissions, turn on or off Receiving files from linked device.

   

macOS

1. Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.

2. On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet menu.
3. Click the More button next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
4. Select the Don't allow receiving files or the Allow receiving files option.

   

Linux

1. Open the terminal.

2. Run the following command to list your Meshnet peers:

   nordvpn meshnet peer list

3. Note the Nord name of the peer device you want to alter permissions for.

   

4. To either allow or disable the permission, use one of the following commands, replacing <NordName> with the peer’s Nord name or Meshnet IP:

   nordvpn meshnet peer fileshare allow <NordName>
   nordvpn meshnet peer fileshare deny <NordName>

   You can also choose whether to automatically accept file transfers from this sender without receiving a transfer request. To do this, use the following commands, where <NordName> is the peer device's Nord name or Meshnet IP:

   nordvpn meshnet peer auto-accept enable <NordName>
   nordvpn meshnet peer auto-accept disable <NordName>

Tip

To find your peer's Nord name faster, start typing the name and press Tab. The system will auto-complete the name based on matching peers.

Android TV

1. On your Android TV device, open NordVPN. Log in if necessary.

2. Navigate to the Meshnet section.

3. Select Devices and choose the appropriate device category.

4. Choose the device you want to alter the permissions for.

5. Select Receiving transfers and choose Allow or Don’t allow.