Apple’s AirDrop is a terrific way to wirelessly swap files between the company’s devices, like from aniPhone to a Mac. Google began working on similar technology to replace its NFC-based Android Beam launched in 2011. Called Fast Share, it eventually appeared on Pixel phones in 2019 and then was renamed toNearby Sharewhen it became available to all Android 6.0 devices and newer in 2020.
This guide shows you how to enable and useNearby Shareon Android phones. We also show you how to enable this feature on Chrome OS so you can wirelessly swap files to a Chromebook, just like Apple users do between theirMacBooksand iPhones.
Nearby Share requirements
Nearby Share uses several components. Bluetooth is initially used to pair two devices and then,according to Google, Nearby Share determines the best protocol for sharing files: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. The protocol depends on what you’re sharing.
Here’s what you need for Nearby Share:
Enable Nearby Share on Android
These instructions were verified using a Samsung phone with Android 10 and a Google Pixel phone with Android 11.
Step 1:Swipe down from the top to open theNotification shadeand verify that Bluetooth is on. If not, tap theBluetoothtile. You cannot use Nearby Share without Bluetooth.
Step 2:With the Notification shade still pulled down, verify that location is turned on. If not, tap theLocationtile. You cannot use Nearby Share without Location services.
Step 3:With the Notification shade still pulled down, tap the cog icon. This opens the Settings panel.
Step 4:TapGoogle.
Step 5:TapDevice Connections.
Step 6:TapNearby Share.
Step 7:Tap theTogglenext toTurn Onto enable this feature.
Enable Nearby Share on Chrome OS (preview)
There are two Chrome flags that you need to enable: One to turn on Nearby Share and one to add it to the Share menu. Since this isn’t baked into a Stable build as of Chrome 88, it doesn’t work exactly as Google intended. The “sharesheet” aspect removes all sharable options except for Nearby Share.
That said, when you’re done experimenting with this feature, you may want to change the “sharesheet” flag back toDefault,so your other sharing options reappear.
Step 1:Open the Chrome browser and typechrome://flagsin the address field.
Step 2:Search for “nearby.”
Step 3:Change the setting fromDefaulttoEnabled.
Step 4:Search for “sharesheet.”
Step 5:Change the setting fromDefaulttoEnabled.
Step 6:Click theRestartbutton as prompted.
Step 7:Click theQuick Settings Panel(system clock) followed by theSettingscog on the pop-up menu.
Step 8:SelectConnected Deviceson the left.
Step 9:Click theTogglenext toNearby Shareon the right to turn this feature on.
Step 10:Click onNearby Shareagain to adjust the settings. See the “Edit Nearby Share settings” section below for more details.
Send and receive with Nearby Share
Here we switch between Google (sender) and Samsung (receiver) devices. The method also applies to Chromebooks.
Step 1:Open your content. In this case, we opened Google Photos to share a screenshot.
Step 2:Tap theSharebutton. Its location may depend on the app.
Step 3:TapNearby Share. If you don’t see it, tap theMorebutton displayed underShare to Appsand then tapNearbyon the following screen, as shown above.
Note: The Nearby Share button should appear on the mainShare to Appsstrip after you use Nearby Share for the first time.
Step 4: The Nearby Share panel rolls up on the screen with a thumbnail of the file you’re sending. TheLooking for Nearby Devicessection should change to list nearby devices. Tap on theReceiving device.
Step 5:On the receiving device, tapAcceptorDecline.
Share apps with Remote Share
Here’s how to send and receive apps using Nearby Share.
Send an app
Step 1:Tap to open theGoogle Play Store.
Step 2:Tap the three-line “hamburger” icon in the top left corner.
Step 3:TapMy Apps & Games.
Step 4:Tap theSharecategory at the top
Step 5:TapSend.
Step 6:TapDeny,Only This Time, orWhile Using the Appon a prompt asking about the device’s location.
Step 7:Tap the box next to the app(s) you want to share.
Step 8:Tap the greenPaper Airplane Send iconto finish.
Receive an app
Step 5:TapReceive.
Step 6:Compare the pairing code displayed on both devices and tapReceiveif they match. If not, tapCancel.
A note about sending and receiving
By default, Nearby Share is based on your contact list. you may choose to share with all contacts or some contacts. If you choose the latter, you’re prompted to toggle each person in your Google Contacts list. This essentially preventsanyonefrom trying to send files to your Android device although you can set your device to Hidden too.
Typically, if everything is working correctly, the receiving device will see a pop-up window with the following message:Device Nearby is Sharing. Tap to Become Visible.Normally you don’t need to tap this notification if you know a file is incoming from a device associated with your Google Contacts. Instead, a slide-up prompt appears saying that a device is sharing. The user then taps theAcceptorDeclineoptions accordingly.
However, Android devices have a Nearby Share tile on the Quick Settings panel although you may need to edit this panel to add the tile (shown above). This tile is primarily used if you want to receive files from someonenoton your Google Contacts list. Tapping this tile launches a slide-up panel showing that the device is now discoverable to everyone, including individuals not in your Google Contacts. Here you can tap the Cog icon to access the Nearby Share settings.
That leads us to the next section.
Edit Nearby Share settings
Step 1:Swipe down from the top to open theNotification shadeand then tap and hold onthe Nearby Sharetile. Alternatively, you’re able to use the same instructions we provided for enabling Nearby Share, listed above.
Step 2:TapDevice Nameto change device’s identification, likeKevin’s Pixel, when sending and receiving, if needed.
Step 3:TapDevice Visibilityto toggle between three modes:All Contacts,Some Contacts, orHidden. If you selectSome Contacts, you’ll see a darkened toggle next to each contact. Tap eachToggleto allow Nearby Share connectivity with these contacts.
Step 4:TapData Usageand change how you want to send data:Datafor transferring small files over a mobile connection,Wi-FiOnlyfor using the local network, orWithout Internetto use peer-to-peer sharing (likely Bluetooth). TapUpdateif you made any changes.
Step 5:If you want to turn off Nearby Share, tap theTogglenext toOn.
