Sharing files between smartphones has become an essential part of everyday digital life. From sending photos and videos to transferring documents and apps, users need a fast, secure, and wireless way to move data from one device to another. To meet this need, Google introduced Nearby Share in 2020 as a built-in feature for Android devices.
Nearby Share is Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop. It allows Android users to send files, documents, photos, videos, and links to nearby devices without using cables, third-party apps, or internet-based file uploads. Today, the feature is available on almost every Android smartphone, making local file sharing easier than ever.
In this guide, we explain what Nearby Share is, which devices support it, what you need to use it, and how you can share files step by step between Android smartphones.
What Is Nearby Share?
Nearby Share is a wireless file-sharing tool developed by Google for Android devices. It enables users to transfer content instantly between nearby devices using a combination of:
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Bluetooth
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Wi-Fi
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Peer-to-peer connections
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Mobile hotspot
The system automatically selects the best available connection to ensure fast and stable transfers. Files are sent directly from one device to another, which means your data does not need to be uploaded to the cloud.
Nearby Share supports:
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Photos and videos
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Documents and PDFs
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Audio files
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Apps
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Web links
The feature works securely and gives users full control over who can send them files.
Which Devices Support Nearby Share?
Nearby Share is available on:
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All Android smartphones running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher
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Android tablets
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Some Android-powered TVs and Chrome OS devices
Since most modern Android phones run Android 6 or above, nearly every Android user can access Nearby Share without installing any extra application.
What Do You Need to Use Nearby Share?
Using Nearby Share is very simple. You only need:
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Two Android devices with Nearby Share enabled
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Bluetooth turned on
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Location services enabled
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Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot (optional but recommended for faster transfers)
Both the sender and the receiver must keep their screens unlocked during the transfer process.
How to Enable Nearby Share on Android
Before sharing any file, you must make sure Nearby Share is turned on.
Follow these steps:
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Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
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Look for the Nearby Share icon.
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Tap on it to turn the feature on.
To adjust visibility settings:
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Long-press the Nearby Share icon, or go to Settings > Google > Nearby Share.
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Choose who can see your device:
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Everyone
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Contacts
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Hidden
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If you select Contacts, only people saved in your contact list will be able to send you files.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Share Files Using Nearby Share
Once Nearby Share is enabled on both devices, follow these steps:
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Open the file you want to share (photo, video, document, or app).
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Tap on the Share button.
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From the sharing menu, select Nearby Share.
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Your phone will start searching for nearby devices.
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Tap on the name of the device you want to send the file to.
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On the receiving phone, tap Accept to receive the file.
The transfer will begin immediately, and the file will be saved automatically on the receiving device.
Privacy and Security Features
Nearby Share offers several security options:
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You can control who can discover your device
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File transfers require manual acceptance
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Data is encrypted during transfer
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You can hide your device when not in use
These features make Nearby Share both convenient and safe for everyday use.
Final Thoughts
Nearby Share is one of the most useful features on Android today. It removes the need for cables, messaging apps, or cloud uploads when transferring files between nearby devices. With just a few taps, you can send large videos, important documents, and high-quality photos in seconds.
As Android continues to evolve, Nearby Share is becoming an essential tool for fast, local file sharing.
