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    How to Use Nearby Share to Send Files Between Android Devices

    Nearby Share is Android's built-in feature for wirelessly sharing photos, files, links, and apps with people nearby — similar to Apple's AirDrop but for Android.

    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Turn on Nearby Share / Quick Share

    ~23s
    Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Look for "Nearby Share" or "Quick Share" and tap it to turn it on. Or go to SettingsConnected DevicesNearby Share / Quick Share → turn it on.

    Quick Tip

    Set your visibility to "Everyone" or "Contacts Only" depending on whether you want anyone nearby to see your device or only people in your contacts.

    2

    Send a photo to someone nearby

    ~17s
    Open the photo you want to share in your Gallery app. Tap the Share icon (the arrow pointing up or three dots). Tap "Nearby Share" or "Quick Share" from the share menu. Your phone will scan for nearby Android devices. Tap the person's device name when it appears.
    3

    Accept an incoming transfer

    ~15s
    When someone sends you a file, a notification appears at the bottom of your screen asking you to accept. Tap "Accept." The file transfers immediately and saves to your Downloads folder or Gallery.
    4

    Share other types of content

    ~27s
    Nearby Share works with more than just photos. To share a link from a web browser, tap ShareNearby Share → select the recipient. To share a contact: open Contacts → tap a contact → share → Nearby Share. To share a document from Files: long-press the file → share → Nearby Share.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: You can also share your Wi-Fi password with Nearby Share. Go to SettingsWi-Fi → tap your network name → "Share" → Nearby Share.

    5

    Use Nearby Share with a Windows computer

    ~17s
    Download "Nearby Share by Google" from the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10 or 11 computer. Once installed, open the app and pair it with your Google account. Now you can share photos and files from your Android phone directly to your PC using Nearby Share.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Use Nearby Share to Send Files Between Android Devices

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Nearby Share (called "Quick Share" on Samsung phones) is Android's built-in wireless file sharing feature. It works like Apple's AirDrop: you can send photos, videos, documents, links, contacts, and even apps to any Android phone that is physically nearby — without using the internet, email, or text messaging.

    The transfer is fast (large photos send in seconds), and the files arrive at full quality with no compression.

    Nearby Share is built into Android 6.0 and later. On Samsung phones, it is called "Quick Share" but works the same way. The two are also cross-compatible — a Samsung can share with a Google Pixel or other Android using the same feature.

    Common uses: - Sharing photos from your phone with a friend standing next to you - Sending a document to a coworker's phone - Sharing a Wi-Fi password with someone in your home - Quickly passing a phone number or contact card

    You can also use Nearby Share to send files from an Android phone to a Windows computer (Windows 10/11) using the "Nearby Share for Windows" app from Google — useful for moving photos to a laptop.

    Nearby Share requires both devices to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.

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    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Use Nearby Share to Send Files Between Android Devices — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure