Hot topics

Google finally launches Nearby Share, its file sharing feature on Android

google android nearby share
© Google

Read in other languages:

Currently being deployed on Google Pixel and Samsung smartphones, Nearby Share is finally finalized and was announced by Google this week.

This feature for sharing files between two devices without a wired connection will remain exclusive to certain Samsung smartphones and the Pixel, in the first phase. In the second phase, Android's response to Apple's Airdrop should arrive on PC and Mac via the Chrome browser.

Working with Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, and Wi-Fi P2P, this new system allows you to quickly send files (light or heavy) between two devices without cable and without an Internet connection. From now on, transferring a hundred photos between two Android devices will be much faster.

ASL Nearby Share Creative V05
Nearby Share will be exclusive to Samsung and Pixel smartphones at first. / © Google

Nearby Share does not depend on an Android update. No need to wait for the release of Android 11. Google will deploy the feature on all smartphones with Google Play Services, which means just about every device on the market starting with Android 6.0.

However, this excludes Huawei smartphones after the Mate 30, without Google services, or Amazon Fire tablets.

As explained above, Google Pixel and Samsung smartphones have exclusivity on Nearby Share. The Play Services update implementing this Nearby Share will first be deployed on these devices before a global deployment.

Google has also confirmed the upcoming arrival of Nearby Share on Chromebooks without saying anything about PCs and Macs. Anyway, it's good news to finally see this feature coming after years of waiting and after the end of the late Android Beam.

Source: Google

The current best Samsung phones to buy

  Editor's choice S23 with a bigger display 2023 flagship 2023 foldable flagship 2022 fodlable flagship 2023 compact foldable 2022 compact foldable Affordable flagship The popular mid-ranger
Product
Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23+ Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Product Image Samsung Galaxy A54 Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23+
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Not yet tested
Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Review: Samsung Galaxy A54
Price
  • $1,199.99
  • $999.99
  • $799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • from $999.99
  • $999.99
  • $699.99
  • $449.99
Offer*
Go to comment (0)
Antoine Engels

Antoine Engels
Senior Editor

Black belt in specs sheet analysis. OnePlus fanboy in (slow) remission. Average estimated reading time of my articles: 48 minutes. Tech deals fact-checker in my spare time. Hates talking about himself in the 3rd person. Dreams he was a gaming journalist in another life. Doesn't get the concept of irony. Head of editorial for NextPit France.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing