# File sharing permissions

## Introduction <a href="#introduction" id="introduction"></a>

This article provides information about Meshnet’s file sharing permission and explains how the permission impacts your Meshnet peer’s device while enabled or disabled. In addition, you will learn how to manage the file sharing permission for each individual device in your Meshnet.

## Permission overview <a href="#permission-overview" id="permission-overview"></a>

The file sharing permission allows you to send and receive files between your Meshnet peers directly via the NordVPN application. By default, file sharing is allowed for all devices in your Meshnet. For more information, see [Sharing files in Meshnet](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/5hiVtBuK6qwLGxb0SjCm/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet).

### What happens when file sharing is enabled? <a href="#what-happens-when-file-sharing-is-enabled" id="what-happens-when-file-sharing-is-enabled"></a>

When you enable file sharing for a specific Meshnet peer, you can start receiving files from that device. This allows you to exchange various file types in a secure manner.

<figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FatcGWgcVnqRPBEdOj5dJ%2Ffile_sharing.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=b05c7560-8481-415c-b68a-4dc8de3b982a" alt="Three computers sharing files with each other."><figcaption><p>Figure 1. File sharing via Meshnet</p></figcaption></figure>

As illustrated in the model above, with [file sharing](https://nordvpn.com/meshnet/file-sharing/) enabled on both devices, the files can be sent and received bidirectionally.

### What happens when file sharing is disabled? <a href="#what-happens-when-file-sharing-is-disabled" id="what-happens-when-file-sharing-is-disabled"></a>

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 <a href="#changing-permissions" id="changing-permissions"></a>

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

![The section "Sending files to the linked device" is highlighted](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F2oVDiV1UunuJwlm0aetb%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=ff8debff-1865-40bc-bf1d-5a564fac9c27)

### Manage file sharing  <a href="#manage-file-sharing-on-windows" id="manage-file-sharing-on-windows"></a>

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

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary.
2. On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxvxRyVglOq64BS4ArUK6%2Fmeshnet.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=accf346d-0d36-420d-a965-52ff921bb889" alt="" data-size="line"> tab.
3. Click the device that you want to alter the permissions for.
4. Under **File sharing permissions**, turn on or off the **Receiving files from linked device** toggle. <br>

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FaOABgIl3LMUE3YbRWqVm%2Fwin_toggle_new.png?alt=media&#x26;token=488fe94e-f375-4617-823a-29e578421abc" alt="File sharing permission enabled."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

   \
   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.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="iOS and Android" %}

1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary.
2. Tap the Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxvxRyVglOq64BS4ArUK6%2Fmeshnet.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=accf346d-0d36-420d-a965-52ff921bb889" alt="" data-size="line"> 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.<br>

   &#x20;<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FS7W7atKWRP5iCChmUGV9%2Fandroid_permissions_section.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4c657526-c4f8-470a-b2a5-bb4e56a74007" alt="Tapping the Permissions area" data-size="original"><br>
5. Under **File sharing permissions**, turn on or off **Receiving files from linked device**. \
   \ <img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F81DxYGF1VLNqqUFxAzrX%2Fmobile_toggle.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c7d680f8-ff80-47da-92c7-8dc2151a62c8" alt="Turning on the Receiving files from linked device toggle" data-size="original"><br>

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.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS" %}

1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary.
2. On the left-side menu, select Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxvxRyVglOq64BS4ArUK6%2Fmeshnet.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=accf346d-0d36-420d-a965-52ff921bb889" alt="" data-size="line">.
3. Click the More![](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fv7Fak8Uid9I73K1oeCBS%2FUnion.svg?alt=media\&token=d0c2dae7-77ed-4577-8317-627071b723b5) 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. <br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FGsvS0rIMsjukYbIwpHZo%2Fmac_files_permission.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1d96a817-a3b6-4ee4-a4b7-e323615b8f04" alt="Turning off receiving files from linked device"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}

1. Open the terminal.

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

   ```bash
   nordvpn meshnet peer list
   ```

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

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FCIn0593UcReAlcFKcpy8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=68a6342b-18f6-4915-b0df-52144c427561" alt="Locating the Nord name of the peer device "><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

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:<br>

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

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
