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This link works only once. After it is opened, the secret is permanently destroyed. Even we cannot read it because encryption happens in your browser.
Send a One-Time File — Encrypted, Self-Destructing Download Link
What is a one-time file?
A one-time file is a file you send through a single-use download link. The recipient downloads it once, then the encrypted copy is permanently deleted from the server. There is no second download, no copy left behind in chat history, no long-lived URL sitting in someone's inbox. It is the file-sharing equivalent of a self-destructing message: a one-time URL that disappears after the file lands.
Why use one-time encrypted file sharing?
Regular file sharing leaves copies sitting in chat history, email inboxes, and cloud folders for far longer than necessary. 1time.io is built for the opposite use case: deliver a one-time file, let the recipient download it, and remove it from the server. It works as a drop-in Firefox Send alternative for one-shot encrypted file delivery.
Encrypted before upload
The browser encrypts the file first. The server only receives encrypted bytes.
Optional passphrase
Add a second factor so the link alone is not enough to decrypt the file.
One-time download
Once the recipient downloads the file, the stored copy is deleted from the server.
Text Secret Sharing
Need to send a password, API key, or short note instead of a file? Use secure password sharing.
What secure file sharing is good for
This page is best for one-off handoffs: configuration exports, client certificates, NDA PDFs, database backups, screenshots with sensitive data, support bundles, and internal documents that should not live forever in Slack, email, or a shared drive.
How the encrypted file flow works
Choose a file, optionally add a passphrase, and create the link. The browser packs the file together with its metadata, encrypts the whole payload locally, and uploads only the encrypted blob. The recipient gets a one-time download link. On open, the browser decrypts the file locally and the server-side copy is destroyed.
A Firefox Send and WeTransfer alternative for one-time files
If you used Mozilla Send (Firefox Send) before Mozilla shut it down, or you reach for WeTransfer to move a sensitive file, 1time.io covers the same one-time file transfer need with stronger guarantees. Firefox Send was discontinued in 2020; 1time.io is an actively maintained, open-source replacement. Unlike WeTransfer — which stores files in a form the company can read — every file here is encrypted in your browser before upload, delivered through a single-use download link, and destroyed on first download. It works for one-time file sharing, one-time file transfer, and one-time download links without any account.
Key terms, briefly defined
- One-time download link
- A URL that delivers a file exactly once. The first successful download triggers permanent deletion of the encrypted file on the server.
- Browser-side file encryption
- Encryption performed entirely in the sender's browser using AES-256-GCM via the Web Crypto API. The file never leaves your device in plaintext form.
- Encrypted file metadata
- Filename, MIME type, and size are bundled inside the encrypted payload — not stored separately on the server. The server cannot tell what was sent or how large the original file was.
- Self-destructing file
- A file that is automatically deleted after a single download or when the expiry timer fires, whichever comes first — leaving no copy on any server.
Frequently asked questions
How does secure file sharing work on 1time.io?
Your file is packed and encrypted in the browser before upload. The server stores only encrypted bytes. The download link works once, and the file is deleted after it is downloaded or when the expiry time is reached.
Can the server see my file name or contents?
No. The file contents and file metadata stay inside the encrypted payload. For now, the filename, MIME type, and size are not stored separately on the server.
Can I protect the file link with an extra passphrase?
Yes. Add an optional passphrase when creating the link. The recipient will need both the link and that passphrase to decrypt the file.
What files can I send securely?
Any file up to 25 MB, including PDFs, text files, archives, certificates, configuration exports, screenshots, and private documents.