How to Share Files Through Nearby Share on Android.
Android and iOS copy each other all the time. We’ve seen loads of iOS 14 features like widgets and changing default apps inspired by Android. Google now offers a feature called “Nearby Share” that works as an alternative to Airdrop for Android. Nearby Share just uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but connects and shares files much faster than regular Bluetooth transmission, thanks to the added Wi-Fi connection. Anyway, it’s not quite like an Airdrop, as it can only send to people from your contacts.
Here’s how you can get started with Nearby Share
Getting started with Android Nearby Share
Nearby Share is only available as a beta at this time. If you want to give it a try, you can select the beta for Google Play Services and update the app. Since this feature is only available to a few users, you may not get it even if you are using the beta version. Google says everyone with Android Marshmellow and up will be able to get this feature when it is released to the public.
After updating the app, you can open the quick settings panel to find this feature. Click on it to start. A popup will now appear to enable the Share Nearby feature.
If you can’t find this option in quick settings or if you have Xiaomi phones, look for the Nearby Share option in the Settings app, you can simply search by name, or open Settings Google Device Settings “Sharing nearby.”
Click on your profile picture if you want to change the Google account that is synced with it. Remember, people who have your email address can only contact you. Click on Device Name to change the name that will be visible to other devices. In the device’s availability section, you can choose who can share it with you. You can select all contacts or specific contacts, or you can turn off this feature entirely by selecting a hidden option.
After that click “Enable”. That’s it, Nearby Share will be launched.
By default, Nearby Share uses the mobile data on your device for even faster transfer speeds. But you can change this by clicking Profile While Sharing Data and choosing either Wi-Fi to use Wi-Fi only, or completely disabled over the Internet by choosing the No Internet option.
How to share files using the nearby sharing feature
With Nearby Share, you can share any type of file. Just select a file, click Share, and the nearest resource will appear as one of the applications on the shared sheet.
Tap the closest Share app on the share sheet and it will search for supported devices around you. Remember that their email address must be stored in your contacts in order to appear. Just click on the contact that appears and boom, the file will be available.
Receive files using Close Sharing
If the person sending you the address has your email address in contacts, you will receive a “Device in the vicinity†notification informing that someone is trying to connect. You can tap on the notification so they can see your device while sharing. They can simply click on your device’s name to start sending you. You see the name of the file and ask you to accept it. Just click on “Accept†to start receiving.
Packaging
This is similar to Airdrop, but with the caveat that users need an email ID to share files. Either way, you just need their email ID to share, but you can get it from anyone.
Also read: – Tips and tricks for working with Google messages