Android users have long envied Apple for AirDrop, a tool that lets iOS users quickly share content between nearby Apple devices. However, Nearby Share, the sharing close to Android, is now landing on Windows.
Google revealed plans to launch Nearby Share for Windows at CES 2022, and that day has finally arrived. In fact, the tech giant now offers a beta version of the Nearby Share app for Windows that makes it much easier to transfer files between its devices.
According to a Google blog post, Nearby Share allows you to:
“Quickly transfer photos, videos, documents, audio files or entire folders between your Android device and Windows PCs”.
Device requirements
Terms of Google for the application to work properly:
- Have a computer with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later.
- Do you have a device with Android 6.0 or higher.
- Activate Bluetooth on both devices.
- Enable Wi-Fi or Ethernet on both devices.
- Connect both devices to the same network.
- Make sure the devices are within 5m of each other.
Google has developed an application that you must install on your devices (computer and Android smartphone) to be able to share files. You must meet the required conditions. Once you set it up correctly, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your Google account, but you also have the option to use it without an account.
To send your files from a PC to an Android phone, you simply need to drag and drop the file into the Nearby Share window on Windows. You can also select the sharing option from the right-click context menu. If you have two devices signed into a shared Google Account, transfers are automatically accepted even if the recipient’s screen is off.
According to Google, the devices may also be a maximum of five meters apart so that sharing is optimal. You can also choose who can see your device and send you files to avoid potential spam.
Not yet approved in France!
On its website, Google states that Nearby Share is available in the United States and in certain regions of the world. However, many European countries still do not have access to it without being aware of the reason, especially in France, Germany, Italy and Europe.