Real-Time File Sharing: Watch Files Appear Instantly

Traditional file sharing: upload, wait, get link, share. Your recipient waits until you’re done.

Real-time sharing: share the link immediately, upload files, recipients watch them appear.

How It Works

FileGrab creates your shareable link instantly. When you upload files, they appear for anyone watching the link in real-time. No page refresh needed.

The flow:

1. You create a link (instant)
2. You share the link (before uploading)
3. Recipient opens the link
4. You upload files
5. Recipient sees files appear as they finish uploading

This changes how file sharing works in practice.

Why It Matters

During Calls

You’re on a video call. Someone asks for a document. With traditional sharing, you say “let me send that” and they wait.

With real-time sharing:

1. Paste the link in chat while still talking
2. They open it and watch
3. You drag the file
4. They see it appear and download
5. Discussion continues without waiting

Collecting Files from Others

Need photos from event attendees? Create a link, share it. Watch as people upload throughout the event.

Traditional approach requires everyone to email you, or create accounts on some platform, or figure out shared folder permissions.

Work in Progress

Start sharing before you’re done. Share the link, upload the first draft, add revisions throughout the day. Recipients can check in whenever and see the latest state.

Technical Details

Real-time updates use WebSocket connections. When a file upload completes, connected viewers receive notification immediately.

What this means:

• No polling (refreshing to check for updates)
• Updates arrive in seconds
• Works across browsers and devices
• Battery-friendly (no constant refreshing)

Collaboration Mode

By default, FileGrab links are collaborative. Anyone with the link can upload.

Use cases:

• Collecting files from a group
• Two-way exchanges with clients
• Team contributions to a shared collection

Disabling collaboration (Pro):

• Password protection limits who can access
• Collaboration toggle controls upload permissions

Resumable Uploads

Large files can take time. FileGrab supports resumable uploads for files over 10MB.

What this means:

• Connection drops don’t restart the upload
• Progress resumes from where it stopped
• Large files finish reliably on spotty connections

Best Practices

Share Early

The link works before you upload anything. Share it as soon as you know you’ll be sending files.

Name Files Clearly

When recipients watch files appear, clear names help them understand what they’re getting.

Communicate Timing

“Files will appear over the next hour” sets expectations. Recipients know to check back or leave the page open.

Batch Related Files

Upload files together that belong together. Recipients see context when related files arrive together.

Real-Time vs. Notification

Some services notify recipients when transfers complete. That’s different from real-time.

Notification: You upload, transfer completes, recipient gets email, recipient opens link.

Real-time: Recipient already has the link open, sees files appear immediately.

Notifications work for async sharing. Real-time works for synchronous, interactive sharing.

The Bottom Line

Real-time file sharing removes the wait. Share the link while you’re still gathering files. Upload while you discuss. Recipients watch instead of waiting for email.

Try FileGrab - See real-time sharing in action.