Nearby Share

Nearby Share is a feature available for Google's mobile and desktop operating systems Android and ChromeOS, as well as Microsoft's Windows OS which allows data to be transferred via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It was officially released to the general public on August 4, 2020 as the replacement of Android Beam,[1][2] it provides rapid short-range exchange of files & links, such as images, videos, text, contact info, directions, YouTube videos, and other data.[2] On March 31, 2023, Google released the beta version of the Nearby Share App for Windows PCs allowing cross-platform file transfers.[3][4][5][6] Nearby Share for Windows was announced earlier at CES 2022.[7][8][9]

Nearby Share
Developer(s)Google LLC
Initial releaseAugust 4, 2020 (2020-08-04)
Operating systemAndroid Marshmallow and later

ChromeOS 91 or later

Windows 10 or later (ARM devices not supported)
PlatformAndroid

ChromeOS

Windows
PredecessorAndroid Beam
TypeUtility software

This is not to be confused with Microsoft's similarly-named "Nearby sharing" feature, which is only available for Windows 10 or later devices.[10]

Description

Usage

Nearby Share is activated by enabling the feature on both sender and recipient devices. If the content can be sent, a bottom sheet will appear with a list of available devices to share with. Choosing a device from the list sends a prompt to the recipient that requires them to confirm the transfer. When sharing amongst devices linked to the same Google Account, it is not required to wake the receiving devices or confirm the file transmission.[2]

Requirements and availability
Operating system Minimum software version
Android 6
ChromeOS 91
Windows* 10

* = Requires separate app to function/not available for ARM.[2][11][12]

Options

Nearby Share offers users the option to choose which protocol (defaults to automatic, overridable) among Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi should be used (by asking whether it can use data) and who can see the user's phone in their lists. It offers the options to make the user's device visible to all their contacts, some specific contacts, everyone nearby, or to no one at all.[2]

See also
  • AirDrop, a similar protocol for iOS
  • Briar (software), and independent copyleft app for Android
  • SHAREit, a P2P file sharing platform
  • Shoutr, a free proprietary Wi-Fi P2P multi-user app for sharing files on Android
  • Wi-Fi Direct, a similar technology
  • Zapya, a free proprietary file transfer over Wi-Fi app

References
  1. Bohn, Dieter (August 4, 2020). "Android's 'Nearby Share' file sharing feature is finally launching". The Verge. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. "Instantly share files with people around you with Nearby Share". Google. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  3. "Share files easily between Android devices and Windows PCs". Google. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  4. Bonggolto, Jay (April 2, 2023). "Android's Nearby Share finally arrives for Windows PCs". Android Police. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  5. "Google launches a beta Nearby Share app for Windows PCs". Engadget. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  6. "Nearby Share is now available for sharing files between Android and Windows". Android Authority. April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  7. "CES 2022: Better together with Android and beyond". Google. January 5, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  8. "Android's Nearby Share arrives on Windows in beta". The Times of India. April 1, 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  9. Naresh, Sagar (January 10, 2022). "Google Will Soon Bring Nearby Share To Windows PCs". Android Headlines. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  10. "Share things with nearby devices in Windows - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  11. "Share links, photos and more with Nearby Share on Android". YouTube. January 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "The New Nearby Share Beta App for Windows". Android. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
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