How to Share Files Between Android and Windows Using Nearby Share

Google has finally released Nearby Share for Windows PCs, more than a year after it was announced at CES 2022. The search giant's new feature is currently in beta, but in my own tests, Nearby Share performed flawlessly on my Windows 11 PC. With this update, you can now easily share files between Android and Windows devices using Nearby Share, without facing any limitations, and the transfer speed is also quite fast. This means that there is no longer any need to resort to third-party solutions for transferring files across different devices and platforms. To learn how to share files between Android and Windows using Nearby Share, check out our comprehensive tutorial below.

Share Files Between Android and Windows Using Nearby Share

This tutorial contains all the information you need about the launch of Nearby Share on Windows 11. We've included everything from the requirements you'll need to meet to use the feature, to the key settings you need to know about. So whether you're a novice or a tech-savvy user, you'll find all the necessary details here.

Important Points to Consider Before Using Nearby Share on Your Windows PC

Here are some essential things to keep in mind before using Nearby Share on your Windows PC:

1. Windows computer must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, and both of these features should be turned on for you to use Nearby Share.

2. If you want to get the best transfer speeds while using Nearby Share on Android, it's important to ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Ideally, they should be on the same Wi-Fi channel as well. If not, the transfer speed will be slow since it will default to Bluetooth.

3. It's worth noting that Nearby Share is only available on Windows 11 and 10 running on 64-bit x86 architecture, and it does not support ARM-based PCs currently. Additionally, your Android device should be running Android 6.0 or above.

4. It's important to know that Nearby Share on Windows is available in most regions globally, but not all countries are supported. You can check out the list of unsupported countries to see if yours is included.

5. For Nearby Share to work correctly, both devices should be within close proximity to each other, no more than 5 meters or 16 feet apart. Keep this in mind to ensure a smooth transfer of files.

How to Set Up Nearby Share on Your Windows PC

Here's how you can easily install and use the Nearby Share app on your Windows PC:

1. To begin, go to the provided link and click on “Get Started” to download the Nearby Share app.

2. Once the setup file is downloaded, launch it and let the installation process finish.

3. After installation, Nearby Share will prompt you to sign in using your Google account. However, it's worth noting that you can also use the app without a Google account.

4. When you click on the “Sign in” button, you will be directed to a browser window where you can select your account and sign in.

5. After signing in, go back to the Nearby Share app and set a name for your PC that will be visible to others. By default, only your contacts can share files with you, but this can be changed if you prefer. Once you've made your selections, click on “Done“.

6. If you decide to use Nearby Share without a Google account, simply select “Receive from everyone“. This will make your Windows PC visible to other users for a short period of time. After this period, your PC will become hidden again. Note that any requests to share files will need to be approved manually.

Share Files/ Folders from Android to Windows Using Nearby Share

Here's a simple guide on how to use Nearby Share to easily transfer files between your Android device and Windows 11/10 PC:

1. To get started, open the file you want to share on your Android device and tap the “Share” button. From there, select “Nearby Share“.

2. Your Windows PC will now appear on your Android phone. Tap on it to establish a connection.

3. Next, open the Nearby Share app on your Windows PC and accept the incoming file transfer request.

4. The file transfer will start immediately and should take only a few seconds to complete. During our testing on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, a 400MB file took around 2mins to transfer at an effective speed of 3.2MBps.

5. The Nearby Share app will be active in your system tray and will allow you to easily accept any incoming file transfer requests.

6. By default, any files or folders shared from your phone to your PC will be saved in the “Downloads” folder on your PC.

7. If you want to change the default location, click on the “Settings” icon in the top-right corner of the Nearby Share app and adjust the destination folder as desired.

8. Finally, if you don't want to approve file transfer requests every time, change the “Device visibility” setting to “Your devices“. Note that you will need to be signed in with the same Google account on both your Android phone and Windows PC for this feature to work.

Share Files/Folders from Windows PC to Android Using Nearby Share

The Nearby Share app not only enables you to share files quickly from your Android phone to your Windows PC, but it also works the other way around. Here's how:

1. Google has added a convenient “Send” option to the right-click context menu on Windows 11 and 10, making sharing from your Windows PC to an Android device much easier. To use this feature, simply right-click on a file or folder and choose “Send with Nearby Share.”

2. This will launch the Nearby Share app on your PC. From there, select your Android device to send the file. If your phone doesn't show up on Windows, you can open the Nearby Share notification on your Android device.
3. You will need to accept the incoming file transfer request on your Android phone.
4. The file transfer will start immediately, with speeds of around 3.2MBps during our testing when sending a file from a Windows PC to an Android phone.

Conclusion: Use Nearby Share on PC

In conclusion, these are the simple steps you need to follow to use Nearby Share on your Windows PC. During my testing, I found that the app worked flawlessly, which is fantastic. I particularly appreciate the convenience of having the Nearby Share option readily available in the context menu on Windows 10. Overall, Nearby Share is a great tool for seamless file sharing between your Android phone and Windows PC. That's all from us for now, happy sharing! Read Our Comprehensive Guide on How to Translate PDF Files Easily and Quickly