Sharing files between your Android device and your Windows computer can sometimes be a hassle. You may have to rely on a USB cable, email, or cloud services to transfer files, which can take time and sometimes require an internet connection. Luckily, Google has a solution: Nearby Share. In this post, we will show you how to share files between your Android device and Windows computer using Nearby Share.

What is Nearby Share?

Nearby Share is a feature introduced by Google for Android devices running Android 6.0 or later. It allows you to share files, links, and even your device’s screen with nearby devices, including other Android devices and Windows computers. Nearby Share uses Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or a combination of both to establish a connection between devices, so you don’t need an internet connection.

How to Set Up Nearby Share on Your Windows PC

Nearby Share is a useful feature that allows you to share files, links, and even your device’s screen between Android devices and Windows computers. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to set up Nearby Share on your Windows PC.

Step 1: Check Your PC Compatibility

Before you begin, make sure your PC meets the following requirements:

• Windows 10 version 1803 or later.
• Bluetooth 4.0 or later.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on.

Step 2: Turn On Nearby Share

To turn on Nearby Share on your Windows PC, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.
4. Under the Nearby Share section, select the radio button to turn it on.

Step 3: Choose Your Share Settings

After turning on Nearby Share, you can customize your share settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Manage Share Settings link.
2. Choose the device visibility option:

• All nearby devices: This option allows all nearby devices with Nearby Share turned on to discover and share files with your PC.
• My devices only: This option only allows your devices signed in with the same Microsoft account to discover and share files with your PC.

3. Choose the file transfer method:

• Automatically: This option allows your PC to choose the most suitable transfer method (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) depending on the file size and device compatibility.
• Wi-Fi only: This option restricts file sharing to Wi-Fi only, which can be faster than Bluetooth for larger files.

Step 4: Start Sharing

Now that you have turned on Nearby Share and customized your settings, you can start sharing files with nearby devices.

To share files from your Windows PC, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the file you want to share.
2. Click on Share.
3. Click on Nearby Share.
4. Wait for nearby devices with Nearby Share turned on to appear on the list.
5. Select the device you want to share the file with.
6. Wait for the file transfer to complete.

To receive files on your Windows PC, follow these steps:

1. Wait for the notification to appear on your PC that a nearby device wants to share a file.
2. Click on Accept.
3. Wait for the file transfer to complete.

Share Files/ Folders from Android to Windows Using Nearby Share

Nearby Share is a convenient and fast way to share files and folders between your Android device and Windows computer. In this blog post, we will show you how to share files/folders from Android to Windows using Nearby Share.

Step 1: Enable Nearby Share on Your Android Device

Before you can start sharing files, you need to enable Nearby Share on your Android device. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on Google.
3. Tap on Device Connections.
4. Tap on Nearby Share.
5. Turn on Nearby Share by tapping on the switch.

Step 2: Share Files/Folders from Your Android Device

To share files/folders from your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open the file manager app on your Android device.
2. Navigate to the file or folder you want to share.
3. Long-press on the file/folder to select it.
4. Tap on the share icon (the one that looks like three dots connected by lines).
5. Tap on Nearby Share.
6. Your Android device will start searching for nearby devices with Nearby Share enabled.
7. Select the Windows computer you want to share the file/folder with.
8. Wait for the file/folder to transfer.

Step 3: Receive Files/Folders on Your Windows Computer

To receive files/folders on your Windows computer, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that Nearby Share is turned on and configured on your Windows PC (refer to the “How to Set Up Nearby Share on Your Windows PC” section above).
2. Wait for the notification to appear on your PC that a nearby device wants to share a file/folder.
3. Click on Accept.
4. Wait for the file/folder transfer to complete.
5. The file/folder will be saved to your Downloads folder on your Windows computer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nearby Share is a fantastic tool that allows you to easily share files, links, and even your device’s screen between Android devices and Windows computers. Setting up and using Nearby Share is simple, and it can save you time and hassle compared to other file-sharing methods. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enable Nearby Share on your Android device and Windows computer, customize your settings, and start sharing files and folders quickly and efficiently. So, give it a try, and experience the convenience of Nearby Share for yourself!