If you’ve ever gone to share a file from your Android and didn’t know which tool to use to do it, there is one that aims to be universal: Quick Share. It is the replacement of the almost disappeared share with near or near share, You don’t need to be connected to the internet for this to work and it’s really fast. Super recommended, we can attest to that.
Exchanging files from one Android phone to another doesn’t require much work because there are many ways to accomplish this. From using the slowest Bluetooth to sharing information with messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. In fact, Telegram itself is one of the best tools for this task, since its space is unlimited. Still, nothing beats a service included in the system itself, like AirDrop on iPhones. This is where Google points its finger.
Don’t call it Nearby Share, call it Quick Share
When Google unveiled Nearby Share in 2020, which was later translated as Share with Nearby, we were all waiting for a sort of AirDrop on Android, the system for exchanging files between Apple devices that works so well in its ecosystem . The result was not exactly as expected, since the Android file sharing service It’s buried among the system options and it’s not that the name is easy to remember. Because anyone remembers Nearby Share is available on their Android?
Google’s idea with the name change is not only to improve the native file sharing tool, it also aims to giving relevance to a basic functionality in an operating system. For this, it has partnered with Samsung to move the Quick Share tool from the Galaxy to all Android devices. And it’s already silently deployed through the Google app and Google Play Services.
It started in the Google Pixel with the latest Feature Drop launched in January and marked its destiny for the rest of Android: Quick Share will be compatible with phones equipped with Android 6 and above; in addition to Chromebook and PC computers, the latter with an application downloadable from the Android site.
Essentially, Quick Share comes down to the following keys:
- You can share files directly between two Android phones or one Android and a computer.
- Quick Share lets you restrict visibility so that only contacts discover the phone, no one and everyone. If this last function is activated, it only remains active for ten minutes.
- To discover new mobile phones and computers with Quick Share active, Bluetooth is required.
- Files are sent via WiFi. To do this, mobile phones create a wireless bridge to take advantage of the maximum transfer speed.
- You do not need to have an Internet connection for Quick Share to work.
- For a mobile phone with Quick Share to be detected, it must be near the other device. Average coverage is about 30 centimeters.
- For reference, we moved a 500MB file between a Pixel 8 and a Pixel 8 Pro in 20 seconds. Around 25 MB/s on average during transfer (speed on other devices may vary depending on the wireless hardware they incorporate).
Receiving a file with Quick Share
To send a file with Quick Share, simply choose it from the share menu that appears when you click the icon in any application. Once quick sharing is selected, search for nearby devices will appear: You must ensure that the other Android allows itself to be discovered and is within the coverage area. When it is detected, all you have to do is click on the mobile phone that will receive the file: once you accept the transfer, Quick Share will take care of the rest.
Very quick, simple and a great tool to discover
Quick Share evolves from Share with nearby without Google highlighting the tool in Android settings: still too hidden. To have it at hand, it is best to place it in the quick settings: by default the Google Pixel includes it this way. This button allows you to activate and deactivate discovery: simply send the files from the other mobile phone via Quick Share so that the devices are paired, giving rise to the transfer.
We found it very fast, extremely comfortable, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you are connected to a WiFi network and It is a tool that will be available on all Android. The fact that it’s universal is a big advantage, and Google and Samsung also make it easy to interconnect with Windows. Now all that’s missing is macOS and Linux, two flaws that have not yet been resolved.
It should be borne in mind that we can share photos, videos, documents and even applications in APK without having to download other applications: Quick Share builds a very strong bridge between two Android devices. The next time you want to send a file, try this: you’ll never be able to use another tool again.
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