When it comes to sharing files with our contacts, we have many ways to do it from our Android mobile: with messaging applications like WhatsApp, clouds like Google Drive, or simply with a Gmail email. These aren’t the only tools and apps we have: there’s one you might not know about and It is already installed on your phone.
It is Quick share, formerly called Nearby Sharing. It is a very practical and easy to use Google and Samsung tool. Below, we explain everything you need to know about it: how it is used, what files it allows you to share and how to use it on your computer.
What is Quick Share from Google, available on your Android mobile
Quick Share from Google, and one could also say from Samsung since the name change, is a tool included as standard on Android phones. Of course, provided they have Google services. This is the Apple AirDrop competition, exclusive to the bitten apple’s mobile phones.
He allows us send and receive all types of files without exception, both between devices with the green robot operating system and with computers and laptops equipped with Windows. Its operation is really simple: thanks to the fact that it is preinstalled, we do not have to download anything.
Now let’s see how it is used to share files between two Android phones with an example to understand its particularities.
How to Share Files Between Two Android Phones
To use Quick Share we must go to share menu on Android, accessible from any application that allows you to select files. For example, from a gallery or from a file explorer. In summary, we explain step by step how to use it:
- Select the desired file, we did it from the gallery of a Samsung Galaxy.
- Tap the share button, then you will see “Quick Share” among the options. Click the icon to use the function.
- Below you will see how our device searches for other people nearby, it will probably ask you to turn on Bluetooth because that is how it locates the rest.
- When it appears in the list, tap the device you want to share the files with.
- The process is completely automatic and will only take a few seconds.
- You will see a notification on the second mobile, similar to this one. This means the transfer is complete.
Not just with mobile phones: here’s how to use Quick Share on your PC
There is no doubt about the usefulness of Quick Share, although initially it had one significant drawback: it only served Android devices. It didn’t take much for Google itself to develop a little software to bring it closer to Windows computers.
You can download it from the following link: installing it will be as easy as clicking on the file and following the few steps. a few seconds later will be available on your PC. Remember that you need Bluetooth for this to work normally.
Now when we go to share from mobile, you will see your computer as follows: indicated by a PC icon. Just like using it with mobile phones, just tap it to send any type of file.
Now and… how to use it to send files from PC to Android device? It’s also very simple and practical:
- On your Windows PC, right-click the file you want to share.
- In the drop-down list of options, click “Share with Quick Share”.
- The Quick Share window will open indicating that a file is being shared.
- Now from the list click on your smartphone to send the file.
- Ready. As we have seen, the process is similar.
Restrict who you share files with
When we use Quick Share, by default we can share files between our devices. Use our Google account to find other mobile phones and computers, so if we want to share a photo with a contact we have to Modify the parameters. You can do this from the utility on Android or Windows.
In the Google operating system, you can access this setting from the quick access to Quick Share that certain layers integrate, or by using the “Settings” search engine. Once we are in the corresponding section we must press the option “Who can share with you”, we can change it to:
- “Nobody” (at Samsung) or “Your devices”: depending on our device, it will be called one way or another. This is the default mode, it will only find our devices.
- “Contacts only” or “Receive content from contacts”: we can share with contacts registered in our account and who are nearby.
- “Everyone” or “Receive content from everyone”: without exception, all devices on the same WiFi network and reachable via Bluetooth will appear.
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