NearHop Manual

1. Overview

NearHop sends a file or folder from one laptop to another over the same local WiFi — instantly, without email, without a cloud upload, and without any account or license key.

The app has two tabs:

• Send — pick or drop a file or folder, get a 6-digit code, and share it with whoever should receive it.
• Receive — type in a code someone gave you and pull the file or folder they're sharing.

There is no device list to browse. You only ever connect to whoever you exchanged a code with — which matters at a busy conference where dozens of other laptops might be on the same WiFi.

2. Installation

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Disk: 200 MB free space
• Network: Both laptops must be on the same WiFi/LAN — NearHop does not work over the internet

Installing

1. Download NearHop-Setup.exe from the NearHop page.
2. Run the installer. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning for new software — click More info → Run anyway to proceed.
3. Follow the installer prompts. NearHop is installed to Program Files\CueCongress\NearHop by default.
4. Launch NearHop from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.

Windows Firewall

The first time you share a file, Windows may prompt to allow NearHop network access. Click Allow access — this is required for the receiving laptop to reach yours over the local network.

3. Sending a File or Folder

Open NearHop and stay on the Send tab (selected by default).

The Send tab before anything has been shared

1. Drag a file or folder from Explorer straight onto the window — or click Choose Files / Choose Folder to pick with a dialog instead.
2. NearHop immediately generates a 6-digit code and starts hosting the file(s) for pickup.
3. Tell the receiver the code — read it aloud, or click Copy Code and paste it into a chat message.
4. Once the receiver connects and downloads, you'll see their progress live on the Send tab.
5. Click Stop Sharing when you're done. The code stops working immediately.

Sharing in progress — code, status, and a manual-IP fallback address

Sharing a Folder

When you share a folder, NearHop sends every file inside it individually and rebuilds the same folder structure on the receiving side — including subfolders. Nothing is zipped, so the receiver sees the files land as they arrive rather than waiting for one big archive.

4. Receiving a File

Switch to the Receive tab.

Type the code you were given, then click Connect

1. Type the 6-digit code you were given into the code field.
2. Click Connect. NearHop looks for the matching share on your WiFi — this normally takes a second or two.
3. Once found, you'll see the list of files being shared and their total size.
4. Choose where to save — NearHop remembers your last save folder, defaulting to Downloads. Click Change to pick a different folder.
5. Click Download. Each file's progress is shown as it arrives.
6. When finished, click Open Folder to jump straight to the saved files, or Receive Another to start over with a new code.

5. Multiple Receivers

The same code can be used by more than one laptop at the same time — useful for sending the same footage or file to two people at once instead of repeating the process.

• Give the same code to as many people as you want, while the share is still active.
• Each receiver downloads independently — one running slower than another doesn't block or interfere with the rest.
• The Send tab lists every connected receiver separately, with its own progress and file count, so you can see exactly who has finished and who hasn't.

6. Connect a Phone (No App Install)

A phone doesn't need NearHop installed at all — it connects through a page in its own browser instead. The same code works for both downloading what you shared and sending a file back to the laptop.

1. On the laptop, click the small phone icon next to the CueCongress logo in the top-right of the window.
2. A QR code and a 6-digit code appear. If nothing has been shared yet, NearHop starts a session just for the phone — you can add files to it afterward.
3. On the phone (same WiFi as the laptop), scan the QR code with the camera app, or open a browser and type in the address shown below the code.
4. The phone opens a page showing any files already shared, each with a Get button, and a box to send a file back.
5. To send from the phone: tap the box, choose a photo or file, and it uploads straight to the laptop's Downloads folder (or wherever received files are set to save).

7. Connect by IP (Fallback)

NearHop normally finds the sender automatically on the local network. Some venue and hotel WiFi networks block this kind of device-to-device discovery for security reasons (often called "client isolation" or "AP isolation") — in that case, automatic discovery won't work even though both laptops are on the same WiFi.

On the Sender's Side

While sharing, the Send tab shows a line like:

If the code doesn't connect automatically, the receiver can use "Connect by IP" with: 192.168.1.42:8090

On the Receiver's Side

1. On the Receive tab, click Connect by IP instead below the Connect button.
2. Enter the address the sender read out (e.g. 192.168.1.42) and the port (defaults to 8090).
3. Make sure the 6-digit code field still has the correct code entered.
4. Click Connect by IP.

8. System Tray

Closing the NearHop window minimizes it to the system tray instead of quitting — this keeps an active share running in the background while you work on something else.

• Click the tray icon to bring the window back.
• Right-click the tray icon for a menu with Show NearHop and Quit.
• Quitting from the tray menu fully stops the app and ends any active share.

9. Checking for Updates

NearHop checks for a newer version automatically a few seconds after launch. If one is available, a green banner appears at the top of the window with a Download link.

You can also check manually: click the CueCongress logo in the top-right of the window to open About, then click Search for Updates.

10. Troubleshooting

Receiver can't find the sender's code

• Double-check the code — it's regenerated every time a new file or folder is chosen on the sender's side.
• Confirm both laptops are actually on the same WiFi network, not a guest network on one and the main network on the other.
• Try the Connect by IP fallback — many venue and hotel WiFi networks block automatic device discovery even on the same network.
• Confirm Windows Firewall didn't block NearHop on the sender's laptop — check Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.

"0 files saved" after a transfer

• This means the share had nothing in it when the receiver connected — reselect the file or folder on the Send tab and confirm you see it listed under "Sharing" before giving out the code.
• If this happens consistently, make sure you're on the latest version — click Search for Updates in the About dialog.

Phone can't reach the page, or can't see a file it just sent

• The phone must be on the same WiFi as the laptop — mobile data, or a guest network separate from the laptop's network, won't work.
• If the QR code doesn't scan, type the address shown underneath it directly into the phone's browser instead.
• A file the phone sends lands on the laptop, not back on the phone — look for the green badge on the phone icon on the laptop to confirm it arrived.

Transfer is slow

• NearHop's speed is limited by your WiFi connection, not the app — a large folder over a weak WiFi signal will take longer.
• Being physically closer to the WiFi access point usually helps more than anything else.

App not starting / installer warning

• Windows SmartScreen may show a warning for new software from a new publisher. Click More info → Run anyway to proceed. NearHop does not contain malware.
• Ensure Windows 10 or later (64-bit) is installed.

Update check fails or shows no result

• Ensure the computer has an active internet connection when checking for updates — this is separate from the local WiFi used for the actual file transfer.
• The update check connects to cuecongress.com over HTTPS. If a firewall or proxy blocks outbound HTTPS, the check will silently fail.
• If no banner appears, you're already on the latest version.