Nearby share [AirDrop on Android]: How to Share Files On Android like Airdrop Wirelessly

Introduction

AirDrop is a popular feature on Apple devices that allows users to share files wirelessly between devices seamlessly. However, Android devices do not have a native AirDrop equivalent. 

Nonetheless, Android users can still enjoy the convenience of wireless file sharing through third-party apps and built-in features like Nearby Share. In this article, we will explore how to use Nearby Share and other apps to achieve AirDrop-like functionality on Android devices.

Table of Contents

1. What is AirDrop on Apple Devices?
2. Why Doesn't Android Have Native AirDrop?
3. Nearby Share: Built-in Alternative for Android
4. Using Nearby Share for Wireless File Sharing
- Step 1: Enable Nearby Share on Both Devices
- Step 2: Open the File You Want to Share
- Step 3: Tap the Share Icon and Select "Nearby"
- Step 4: Choose the Target Device and Send the File
5. Third-Party Apps for Android AirDrop
- AirDroid
- Xender
6. Benefits of Using Nearby Share
- Enhanced Security
- Seamless Integration with Android
- Fast File Transfers
7. Limitations of Nearby Share
- Compatibility with Nearby Share-Enabled Devices Only
- File Size Limitations
- Requirement for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
8. Conclusion
9. FAQs

What is AirDrop on Apple Devices?

AirDrop is a file-sharing feature exclusive to Apple devices. It allows users to transfer photos, videos, documents, and other files wirelessly between iPhones, iPads, and Macs without the need for an internet connection. AirDrop uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create a peer-to-peer connection between devices, ensuring secure and speedy file transfers.

 Why Doesn't Android Have Native AirDrop?

Apple's AirDrop uses a proprietary technology that is not available for other platforms like Android. This closed ecosystem approach limits the compatibility of AirDrop to Apple devices only. As a result, Android users cannot directly use AirDrop to share files with other Android devices or Apple devices.

 Nearby Share: Built-in Alternative for Android

To address the lack of a native AirDrop, Android introduced "Nearby Share" starting with Android 10. Nearby Share is a built-in feature that allows Android users to share files wirelessly with other Android devices nearby. While it may not have the exact same interface as AirDrop, it offers similar functionality and ease of use.

 Using Nearby Share for Wireless File Sharing

To use Nearby Share for wireless file sharing on your Android device, follow these steps:

 Step 1: Enable Nearby Share on Both Devices

Make sure that both the sending and receiving devices have Nearby Share enabled. You can do this by going to Settings > Google > Device Connections > Nearby Share.

Step 2: Open the File You Want to Share

Navigate to the file you wish to share. It can be a photo, video, document, or any other compatible file.

 Step 3: Tap the Share Icon and Select "Nearby"

Tap on the Share icon within the app you are using to open the sharing options. From the list of sharing options, select "Nearby Share."

 Step 4: Choose the Target Device and Send the File

Your device will now scan for nearby devices that also have Nearby Share enabled. Once it discovers the target device, tap on it to initiate the file transfer. The recipient will receive a notification to accept the file transfer.

5 Third-Party Apps for Android AirDrop

Apart from Nearby Share, there are third-party apps that provide similar wireless file-sharing functionality on Android:

5.1 AirDroid

AirDroid is a popular app that allows you to share files between Android devices and even with computers. It offers additional features like remote access to your device, making it a versatile option for file management.

5.2 Xender

Xender is another app that enables wireless file transfers between Android devices. It boasts high-speed file sharing and supports cross-platform sharing, allowing you to send files to iOS devices and Windows PCs as well.

6 Benefits of Using Nearby Share

Using Nearby Share for wireless file sharing on Android devices comes with several advantages:

 6.1 Enhanced Security

Nearby Share uses encryption to establish a secure connection between devices during file transfers, ensuring that your files remain private and protected.

 6.2 Seamless Integration with Android

Since Nearby Share is built into Android, there is no need to install additional apps or create accounts. It's ready to use straight out of the box.

 6.3 Fast File Transfers

With Nearby Share, files are transferred directly between devices over Wi-Fi, resulting in quick and efficient file-sharing experiences.

7 Limitations of Nearby Share

While Nearby Share is a useful feature, it does have some limitations:

7.1 Compatibility with Nearby Share-Enabled Devices Only

Both the sending and receiving devices need to have Nearby Share enabled to use this feature. It won't work with devices that lack this functionality.

7.1 File Size Limitations

Nearby Share imposes a file size limit of 100 MB for each transfer. While suitable for most photos and documents, larger files may require alternative methods.

7.2 Requirement for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

To use Nearby Share, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be enabled on both devices. This could impact battery life, especially during extended file transfers.

8 Conclusion

Although Android does not have a native AirDrop equivalent, Nearby Share fills the gap by providing a built-in solution for wireless file sharing. By following a few simple steps, Android users can easily share files with nearby devices securely and quickly. Additionally, third-party apps like AirDroid and Xender offer more versatile file-sharing options.

 FAQs

1. Can I use Nearby Share to transfer files to Apple devices?

No, Nearby Share is exclusive to Android devices and cannot directly transfer files to Apple devices.

2. What happens if my file exceeds the 100 MB limit of Nearby Share?

If your file exceeds the 100 MB limit, you will need to use alternative methods like cloud storage or other file-sharing apps.

3. Does Nearby Share require an internet connection to work?

No, Nearby Share works without an internet connection. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create a direct connection between devices.

4. Is Nearby Share available on all Android devices?

Nearby Share is available on Android devices running Android 10 and newer versions.

5. Are the files transferred through Nearby Share encrypted?

Yes, Nearby Share uses encryption to ensure that files are transferred securely between devices.