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How Sharing Works

Handrive's sharing model works like network file sharing on your operating system—universalized across the internet.

The Familiar Model​

On your computer, network file sharing works like this:

1. You share a folder and set permissions
2. Another user connects to your machine
3. They see folders they have permission to access

Handrive works the same way:

1. You share a folder and add members (by email)
2. They add you as a contact (connect to you)
3. They see shares they have permission to access

Your email is your identity. Contacts are your connections. One contact gives you access to all their shares across all their devices.

Why Not Push Like Cloud Apps?​

Most cloud sharing apps work differently:

Alice shares a folder with Bob → Folder appears in Bob's app

This lets anyone push content into your app—spam, unwanted files, or malicious content can appear without your consent.

Handrive's model prevents this: you connect to people, they don't push to you.

Step by Step​

Sharing (like setting up a network share)​

  1. Share a folder on your device
  2. Add members by email
  3. Choose their role: Admin, Editor, or Viewer
  4. Done—they now have permission

You don't need them to be your contact first. You can share with anyone who has a Handrive account.

Receiving (like connecting to a network share)​

  1. Add the sharer as a contact (connect to them)
  2. Their shares appear in your sidebar
  3. Browse and download files

Nothing appears in your app until you connect. You control what you see.

After Discovery: Updates Are Pushed​

Once you've added someone as a contact and discovered their shares, updates are pushed to you when you're online:

  • Share changes (name, settings) sync automatically
  • Member changes (added/removed members, role changes) sync automatically
  • File changes (renames, tag updates, deletions) sync automatically

However, you still need to actively discover new content:

  • New shares - Browse your contacts to see new shares they've given you access to
  • New files - Open a share to see new files that have been added

This keeps your app responsive without constantly downloading file lists you may not need.

Visual Example​

StepAlice (Sharer)Bob (Receiver)
1Creates "Project Files" share—
2Adds Bob as Editor—
3Waits...Nothing in Bob's app
4—Adds Alice as contact
5—"Project Files" appears under Alice
6—Can now browse and download
7Changes Bob's role to AdminRole update pushed to Bob (if online)
8Adds new files to shareBob sees new files when he opens the share

Why This Matters​

No Spam or Unwanted Content​

Unlike email or cloud services, strangers can't push files into your app. Even if someone adds you as a member, you won't see their shares unless you choose to connect with them.

You Control Your Contacts​

Your contact list is curated by you. Only people you've explicitly added can have their shares visible in your app.

Privacy by Default​

The connect model means:

  • Sharing is an offer, not a push
  • Receiving is opt-in—you connect to see shares
  • Your app stays clean and organized

Protection from Malicious Content​

Bad actors can't:

  • Fill your app with unwanted files
  • Use shares to send spam or phishing content
  • Force you to see or interact with anything

Total Local Privacy​

Beyond the asymmetric sharing model, Handrive is designed with total local privacy in mind.

What's Stored Where​

DataLocation
Your email (for account verification)Our server
Your sharesYour device only
Your membersYour device only
Your contactsYour device only
Your filesYour device only

Our server only knows that you have an account. We don't know what shares you've created, who you've shared with, or what files you have. This information exists only in your local database.

Why It's Safe to Reset​

Because all your shares, members, and contacts are stored locally, it's completely safe to delete your local database and start fresh:

  • Your files are untouched — Shares are just pointers to folders on your disk
  • No sync issues — Since there's no central server storing your shares/members/contacts, there's nothing to get out of sync with
  • Rebuild anytime — Recreate shares, re-add members, re-add contacts — your collaborators' data is on their machines, so they can still discover your shares once you rebuild

This is useful when:

  • The app isn't working as expected
  • You want a clean slate
  • You're troubleshooting issues

True Privacy Guarantee​

Unlike cloud services that can access your files and metadata:

  • We can't see your shares — Share information is stored locally
  • We can't see your collaborators — Member lists are stored locally
  • We can't see your files — Files stay on your device, transferred P2P
  • We can't be compelled to share — We don't have access to give

The only thing we can verify is that an email address has a Handrive account. Nothing more.

Common Questions​

What if I want to share with someone who doesn't use Handrive?​

They'll need to create a Handrive account first. Once they sign in with the email you used, they can add you as a contact to discover your share.

Do both people need to add each other as contacts?​

No. Only the receiver needs to add the sharer as a contact. The sharer just adds them as a member.

For two-way sharing (both people sharing with each other), both would need to add each other as contacts.

Can someone see that I added them as a member?​

No. Adding someone as a member doesn't notify them or appear anywhere in their app until they add you as a contact.

What happens if I remove a contact?​

Their shares disappear from your sidebar. You still have access (if they haven't removed you as a member), but you won't see the shares anymore unless you add them as a contact again.

What if my app data gets corrupted?​

It's completely safe to delete your local database and start fresh. Your files are untouched (shares are just pointers to folders). Recreate shares, re-add members, and re-add contacts — there's no server data to get out of sync with. All your shares, members, and contacts are stored locally for total privacy.

Summary​

Cloud SharingHandrive (like OS file sharing)
Push model—content appears automaticallyConnect model—you choose what to see
Sender controls your viewYou control your view
Spam possibleSpam-free by design
Metadata stored on serversMetadata stored locally
Provider can access your dataProvider has no access

Handrive works like network file sharing—you connect to people to see their shares, they don't push to you. And with total local privacy, your shares, members, and contacts stay on your device—we never see them.