How to Get Nearby Sharing on Android and Share Files Using the Feature

Nearby Sharing is a new feature for Android, which is now available for beta testing. Nearby Sharing by Google and AirDrop by Apple are alike. Both let you share anything between devices quickly and wirelessly. You can share contacts, images, videos, links, and more using the feature. What’s more, it doesn’t require any extra setup or installation of any app on the phone.

Here’s how to get Nearby Sharing on your Android phone and how to share files using the feature. Nearby Sharing is currently available via Google Play Services Beta Program. Also, it will be available on phones run on Android 6 and above versions. So, to use the feature, either you need to opt-in for Google Play Services Beta or install the beta APK.

How to Get Nearby Sharing on your Android phone?

• Install Google Play Services Beta version from Play Store (link) or APK (link)
• If Google Play Services beta version on the phone and Nearby Sharing isn’t in the share sheet, follow the below steps.
• Open Settings > Apps & Notifications > All Apps > and tap on Google Play Services.
• Now, tap on Storage & cache > Clear storage > and tap on Clear all Data.
• Restart your phone. Nearby Sharing should appear.

How to share files using Nearby Sharing?

Once the feature is available on your phone, it is so easy to use. You need to turn on Bluetooth and Location on your phone. Also, to share files, Wi-Fi Hotspot might be turned on temporarily, and the receiver should be in your contact list.

• To share a file or a contact address, tap on it, and tap on the Share button.
• In the Share sheet, select Nearby Sharing.
• If you don’t turn on Nearby Sharing, tap on the Turn on button.
• Your phone will look for other devices with which to connect.
• Both devices have Play Services beta with the feature enabled for successful sharing.

In the Nearby Sharing settings (tap on your profile icon), you can change device visibility for all contacts, select contacts, or hide. Also, you can restrict data usage in the Data settings menu.

Also Read: How to share files using Webshare feature of Xiaomi’s ShareMe app?

How to Add Nearby Sharing tile to Quick Settings Panel?

You can access Nearby Sharing from the Quick Settings panel of your phone. To add the tile to the panel, expand the Quick Settings panel, tap on edit icon (pencil icon) and drag the Nearby Sharing tile to the active panel.

As said, Google’s Nearby Share is identical to Apple’s AirDrop for iPhones. This feature let all Android users to share anything from photos, videos, and links, to contact address.