Transfer books, collections, and reading progress directly between devices over high-speed local Wi-Fi without internet access, cables, or cloud accounts.
Why Use Gem Beam?
Moving books between your phone and tablet often feels unnecessarily complicated. Traditional approaches require emailing files to yourself, connecting USB cables to a computer, or uploading personal documents to third-party cloud servers where your reading habits can be tracked.
Gem Beam offers a private, instant alternative. Built directly into GemReader, it establishes an encrypted peer-to-peer connection over your local Wi-Fi network. You can beam entire multi-volume collections, personal highlights, and active reading positions across the room in seconds, without a single byte traveling across the public internet.
What You'll Need
Before starting a transfer, make sure you have:
• **Platforms**: GemReader installed on both devices (Android 10+ or iOS 17+). • **Network**: Both devices connected to the same local Wi-Fi network or a personal mobile hotspot (no active internet connection is required). • **Permissions**: Camera access enabled on the receiving device to scan the pairing QR code. • **Content**: At least one book or collection ready to share on the sending device.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. **On the Sending Device**: Open GemReader and locate the collection or books you want to share. Tap the **⋮** menu next to the collection name (or long-press to select multiple books) and select **Gem Beam**. 2. **Review Transfer Payload**: Review the summary showing how many books and annotations will be sent, then tap **Generate Beam Code**. A pairing QR code will appear on your screen. 3. **On the Receiving Device**: Open GemReader on the second device, ensure you are on the **Library** screen, tap the **+** button in the top bar, and choose **Beam Receive**. 4. **Scan to Pair**: Point the receiving device's camera at the QR code displayed on the sender's screen. The devices will instantly discover each other and begin the transfer. 5. **Watch the Transfer**: A live progress bar will show the books arriving. When the transfer finishes, a green checkmark will confirm completion, and the new books will appear immediately on your bookshelf.
Helpful Tips & Common Questions (Librarian's Advice)
• **100% Offline and Private**: Gem Beam communicates strictly over your local router or direct connection. No accounts are required, and zero telemetry or metadata is shared with external servers. • **Travel & Commute Friendly**: If you are on an airplane, train, or anywhere without a Wi-Fi router, simply turn on your phone's personal hotspot and connect your tablet to it. Gem Beam works seamlessly over hotspot connections without consuming cellular data. • **Preserves Reading Progress**: When you beam a book you are actively reading, GemReader transfers your bookmarks, 6-color highlights, notes, and exact reading position alongside the book file so you can resume reading immediately on your other screen.
Try it yourself