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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.
Three computers sharing files with each other.
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 in a secure manner.

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.

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
Android
iOS
macOS
Linux
Android TV
  1. 1.
    Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.
  2. 2.
    From the left-side menu, select Meshnet
    .
  3. 3.
    Click the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
  4. 4.
    Under File sharing permissions, turn on or off the Receiving files from linked device toggle.
    Turning on the "Receive files from the 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.
  1. 1.
    Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.
  2. 2.
    Tap Meshnet
    at the bottom of the screen.
  3. 3.
    Select Manage devices.
  4. 4.
    Either tap your chosen device or tap the three-dot menu next to the device and select Manage device permissions.
  5. 5.
    Tap File sharing permissions to expand and turn on or off Receiving files from the linked device.
    The 'Receiving files from the linked device' toggle is enabled.
  6. 6.
    To automatically accept file transfers from this sender without receiving a request, turn on the Always accept transfers from this device toggle.
  1. 1.
    Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.
  2. 2.
    Tap the Meshnet
    tab at the bottom of the screen.
  3. 3.
    Select Manage devices.
  4. 4.
    Tap the Permissions area under the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
    Tapping the Permissions area
  5. 5.
    Under File sharing permissions, turn on or off Receiving files from linked device.
    Turning on 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.
  1. 1.
    Open the NordVPN app. Log in if necessary.
  2. 2.
    On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet
    menu.
  3. 3.
    Click the More
    button next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
  4. 4.
    Select the Don't allow receiving files or the Allow receiving files option.
    Turning off receiving files from linked device
  1. 1.
    Open the terminal.
  2. 2.
    Run the following command to list your Meshnet peers:
    nordvpn meshnet peer list
  3. 3.
    Note the Nord name of the peer device you want to alter permissions for.
    Locating the Nord name of the peer device
  4. 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.
  1. 1.
    On your Android TV device, open NordVPN. Log in if necessary.
  2. 2.
    Navigate to the Meshnet section.
  3. 3.
    Select Devices and choose the appropriate device category.
  4. 4.
    Choose the device you want to alter the permissions for.
  5. 5.
    Select Receiving transfers and choose Allow or Don’t allow.
    "Don't allow" selected in the Receiving transfers permission controls.
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