Android Nearby Share: How to Share Files
With Android Nearby Share, you can easily share files from your smartphone with others. The feature is geared for Android-to-Android transfer and uses Bluetooth. We show you how to set up and use Android Nearby.
Android Nearby Share – how to activate the function
To activate Android Nearby Share, you only need a few steps. All you need is a smartphone with at least Android 6 or higher and the right settings.
- First you need to activate both Bluetooth and location tracking on your smartphone.
- To do this, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the appropriate symoble on the list that appears. This is how they are activated.
- Then open the settings.
- Now scroll down a little and tap on “Google”.
- Here, navigate to “Devices and sharing” ☻ “Nearby Share”. Now slide the slider from “Off” to “On” to activate the feature.
To share your content with other users
If you now want to share files such as photos, web pages and co. with friends, you can simply use Android Nearby Share for this. Note that the other person must be near you, as the content is transferred via Bluetooth.
- Open the file you want to send, for example a picture in your gallery.
- Tap the share icon at the bottom (three connected dots).
- Various sharing options will appear. At the top, tap the grey box labelled “Nearby Share”.
- Now hold the two mobile phones together.
Under “Nearby devices are being searched”, tap on the other person’s smartphone. This person must confirm receipt, which rules out the possibility of third parties having access to your content.
- You will receive the information “Sent” as soon as your picture has been sent. You can now tap on “Done”.
