It is well-known that Airdrop can help people transfer things as they want in the Apple ecosystem. Does Android have a similar function? Maybe Nearby Share can help you do the same thing. For this article on MiniTool Website, you will learn what Nearby share is and how to use it.
What Is Nearby Share?
What is Nearby Share? Similar to Airdrop, Nearby Share allows you to share files seamlessly with other users in close range. Of course, this function is issued for Android users by Google and is available for Android 6.0 and above.
With the help of Nearby Share, Android users can now share content with others in proximity. They just have to simply tap one device, from a list of nearby devices, to share files instantly.
According to the Product Manager of Android, the goal is to establish a strong and secure connection for each Android phone combination.
Nearby Share can work both offline and online and information is fully encrypted on both sender’s as well as receiver’s side to protect the privacy and ensures safe data transfers.
The next part will teach you how to use Nearby Share.
Related article: Nearby Sharing Windows 10: How to Use & Fix It Not Working.
How to Set up Nearby Share?
First of all, if you want to share files with Nearby Share, you need to set up and enable Nearby Share.
Method 1: Turn on Nearby Share via Google App
Step 1: On your Android device, go to Settings and then Google.
Step 2: Choose Devices and sharing and then tap on Nearby Share.
Step 3: Enable the Nearby Share toggle at the top.
If you want to customize your Nearby Share, you can choose the Device name option to change the name or select All Contacts, Everyone, or Hidden to configure the visibility.
Note: You can also link and verify your phone number with Nearby Share to make the sharing process easier.
Method 2: Turn on Nearby Share via Settings
If you cannot install the Files by Google app on your device, you can try the following steps.
Step 1: On your device, go to Settings and then Connected Devices.
Step 2: Then choose Connection Preferences and then Turn on Nearby Share.
How to Share Files with Nearby Share?
After enabling Nearby Share on your devices, you can start sharing your files with nearby devices. The steps are as follows.
Step 1: Choose the file or document that you want to send to someone and tap on the Share button.
Step 2: Then a menu will pop up and choose the Nearby Share option.
Step 3: Then your device will start looking for devices that Nearby Share is allowed. After that, you can choose the device that you want to share your files from the list.
Step 4: The other device will get a notification and a successful transfer need the receiver to accept the prompt, then the transfer will start.
Related article: How To Transfer Data From Samsung To Samsung Using Quick Share.
Can You Nearby Share Android to iPhone?
Some people may want to nearby share Android to iPhone, but these two devices reside in two different ecosystems. So far, you still can’t use Nearby Share to transfer files from Android to iPhone. This file-sharing option is applicable with Chromebooks but does not support other operating systems.
Therefore, if you urgently need a tool to transfer data between Android and iPhone, you can download other third-party programs to finish it.
Bottom Line:
Nearby Share can help you transfer data via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, just similar to Airdrop. If you are an Android user and you want to enjoy the same function as Airdrop, Nearby Share can be your choice. Hope this article can be helpful for you.