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How to Send Files with Android Nearby Share

Tap through each step to send files with Nearby Share.

  1. Select the file or photo to share

    Choose the file, photo, or link you want to send, then tap the share icon.

  2. Tap "Nearby Share"

    From the share menu, tap "Nearby Share" (sometimes labeled "Quick Share").

  3. Make sure the receiving device has it turned on too

    The other person needs Nearby Share turned on and their screen unlocked for their device to be discoverable.

  4. Tap the detected device name to send

    Tap the nearby device's name once it appears β€” the recipient gets an accept prompt, and the transfer starts as soon as they accept.

  5. Why it's useful

    Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi directly, you can send even large files to someone standing next to you almost instantly, without burning mobile data or routing through a messaging app or email.

Skip messaging apps for large files

Instead of squeezing a big video or photo album through a chat app or email attachment, Nearby Share moves the data directly between the two devices over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so there's no upload/download round-trip and no compression that messaging apps often apply automatically.

Control who can see your device

By default, your device might be visible to anyone nearby. Narrowing the visibility setting to contacts only, or turning it on just when you need it, keeps strangers from seeing your device pop up in their share list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send files to an iPhone this way?

No β€” Nearby Share only works between Android devices. To send files between Android and iPhone, use a cloud service, a messaging app, or a cable-based transfer instead.

Is there a risk of accidentally sending a file to a stranger?

As long as you set the visibility to 'Contacts only' in the settings, your device will only be discoverable to people already saved in your contacts, which prevents random nearby strangers from seeing it.