If you own an Android phone, you can use a feature called transfer to move files easily. To improve this, a beta program called ‘Nearby Share‘ is now available for Windows users. This program enables file transfers between your PC and Android phone easily.
On your Android device, Nearby Share actively looks for devices. It provides multiple methods of transferring files, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, or even without requiring an internet connection. To check if you have Nearby Share on your Android smartphone, simply search for its symbol in the quick settings menu. If you can’t find it there, take a look under the Settings menu, Google, and Device Connections to locate Nearby Share.
The purpose of Google Nearby Share is to simplify file sharing by allowing you to easily exchange files, images, links, and other content with nearby devices. The best part is that it doesn’t require an internet connection; instead, it establishes a connection between the devices using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mobile data.
Does Your Phone Support Nearby Share?
Previous Nearby Share, Android featured a sharing device known as Android Beam, which allowed you to connect two phones to transfer images and information. The device was not as popular as Apple’s AirDrop.
Google Nearby Share replaced Android Beam in 2019. Nearby Share requires Android 6.0 or later. Go to Settings, About Phone, and search for the Android version to see if your phone allows it.
How to Turn On Nearby Share
The simplest and most common method is to go to your phone’s Settings menu, click on Google, and connect on Devices and Sharing. Then, you need to check out Nearby Share. Another method to identify it is by Settings, Connected Devices, Connection settings, and Nearby Share; however, the options might change depending on your phone.
You may regularly search for Nearby Share in the settings menu. Select nearby Share from the Google tab of your Settings menu. You can modify the name of your device and select the visibility of your device. You can customize your device’s name and select to change its visibility.
If you’re not going to prefer to provide your name while sharing files or images with other nearby devices, modify your device name to a more standard name. Regarding Device Visibility in Nearby Share, there are three options: everyone, contacts, and your devices.
- If you select this option, your phone will be visible to anybody nearby who has enabled Nearby Share. You will also see nearby devices that have nearby Share activated.
- You can connect with everyone in your contacts list by default. If you disable ‘Visible to all contacts,’ you can utilize Nearby Share with selected persons from your contacts list.
- This option restricts viewing to devices linked to a Google account similar to yours. Only devices linked to your Google account will display as sharing options.
There is an important requirement for using Nearby Share. To utilize the ones they use for their Google Account the ones they use for their Google Account, you need to have your contact’s email addresses shown in their contact information. You may also utilize Nearby Share with your contact if they have connected their Google Account with a phone number.
How to Use Nearby Share with Phones
Once you have enabled Nearby Share, let’s review how to start. You may use Nearby Share to share many items with your contacts, like a picture, a short message, a link, or even a song. Follow the steps to use nearby share with phones.
- Select the object to share. It might be a file, a link, or something you want.
- Click the share button, which is usually shown by an arrow that is directed outside a box.
- Find and connect on the Nearby Share symbol, which appears as two twisted lines.
- Choose your receiving device from the list of devices nearby.
- Now, the sharing procedure will start after the receiver accepts the file.
How to Use Nearby Share with Desktop PC or Laptop
Nearby Share is not restricted to Android smart phones; it is also suitable with Chrome books and Windows PCs. With just a few options, you can simply move files from your smartphone to your laptop or desktop. Follow the steps to use nearby share with desktops or laptops.
- Navigate to Settings on your Chrome book.
- Choose connected devices.
- Setting up is the option next to Nearby Share.
- After, you may give your Chrome book a name, select Device Visibility, and specify people you want to be accessible to share with the files, like all contacts, a few contacts, or hidden.
How to Use Nearby Share with Windows
You must have a computer using Windows 10 or above version with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switched on. Follow the instructions to use nearby share with Windows.
- Install the Nearby Share Beta for Windows.
- Launch the app and select the ‘Sign in’ button. You may skip the sign-in process if you don’t want to use your Google account.
- Return to the app after logging into your account. Enter a name to help you recognize your computer.
- Go to the ‘Receiving’ page to change your visibility. Then, select whether you want to share with everyone, only contacts, your devices, or no one.
- Now check the provided Google usage and crash details. Select the ‘Done’ button.
How can I send images from my Android to my PC?
An image is displayed on an Android phone. The user selects ‘Nearby Share’ after clicking ‘Share’ to transfer the photo to a Windows PC. Transferring your pictures directly to your PC is simple if you prefer to modify your images on a larger screen or manage your online folders.
Which devices are supported with Nearby Share?
Android device 6.0 and above version, Chrome book requires Chrome OS version 91 or above, these devices are supported with nearby share.
Is my phone visible to other devices?
- Everyone: Anyone around may see your smartphone while it is turned on and accessible.
- Contacts: Your device is shown to your nearby contacts when your screen is turned on and accessible. You can set your device to be visible to all contacts or only particular contacts.
Is Nearby Share supported by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
Nearby transfer allows users to share files and connections across devices by using Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, WebRTC, UWB, and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.