Where are your files stored?

When you save a received file, it stays exclusively in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server. Here's how you can verify it.

What is IndexedDB?

IndexedDB is a database built directly into your browser. It allows web applications to store large amounts of data locally on your device.

Unlike cookies or localStorage, IndexedDB can store binary data such as images, videos, and other files.

  • Data is stored only on your device
  • Each website has its own separate storage space
  • Data persists even after closing the browser
  • You can delete it anytime in browser settings

What happens on the server?

The InstDrop server never sees your files. It only serves as an intermediary to establish P2P connections between devices.

The server only processes:

  • Temporary channel ID for connecting devices
  • Signaling messages for WebRTC (small JSON objects)
  • Everything is automatically deleted after 1 hour

The server NEVER sees:

  • Contents of your files
  • File names
  • Data saved in your browser

How to verify in DevTools?

Your browser has tools that let you see exactly what's happening. Here are two ways to verify:

Check IndexedDB (Application tab)

  1. 1 Press F12 to open Developer Tools
  2. 2 Go to the "Application" tab (Chrome/Edge) or "Storage" (Firefox)
  3. 3 In the left panel, expand "IndexedDB"
  4. 4

    Find the "instdrop-media" database

    instdrop-media → media-files
  5. 5 Click on "media-files" to view saved files

You'll see a list of all saved files with their metadata (name, size, type). Data is stored only here – in your browser.

Check network traffic (Network tab)

  1. 1 Open DevTools (F12) and go to the „Network“ tab
  2. 2 Save a file by clicking "Save to browser"
  3. 3 Watch the network traffic

You will see NO network request when saving a file. This proves that the file is saved only locally in your browser.

The only network requests you'll see are WebSocket messages for P2P signaling – these contain no file data.

Privacy and Security

Your data, your control: Files stay on your device. You can delete them anytime.
No sharing with third parties: Data is not sent to any servers or shared with advertising networks.
Offline access: Saved files are available even without an internet connection.
Deleting data: Delete data directly in the app or by clearing site data in browser settings.

How to delete saved data?

1. In the app: Go to "Saved Files" page and click "Clear all"

2. In browser: Settings → Privacy → Clear site data → Select instdrop.cz

3. In DevTools: Application → IndexedDB → instdrop-media → Right-click → Delete database

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