Share files & links with Android devices near you

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

With Nearby Share, you can immediately send and receive files from devices close to your location.

Turn sharing on or off

1. On your phone, make sure Bluetooth and location are turned on.
   • Learn how to turn on Bluetooth.
   • Learn how to turn on location.
2. Open your Settings app.
3. Tap Google  Devices & sharing  Nearby Share.
4. Turn Use nearby share on or off.

Share content with someone

1. Open the content, like a photo or webpage.
2. Tap Share Nearby .
   • You may need to tap Turn on.
3. Hold your phone and your friend’s device close to each other.
4. Under "Looking for nearby devices," tap the device you want to share with.
5. After the content has been sent, tap Done.

Get content from someone

1. You’ll get a notification that someone is sharing content. 
   • If you haven’t already, to make your device visible, tap the notification. 
   • If you’re asked to turn on Nearby Share, Bluetooth, or location, tap Turn on.
   • If you didn’t get the notification or if your friend can’t find your device, fix problems sharing content with these steps.
2. To get the content, if applicable, tap Accept.

Important: If you share content between your own devices with the same Google Account, the device that receives the content automatically accepts the transfer, even when your screen is off.

Choose who can share content with you

1. From the top of your screen, swipe down.
2. Tap Nearby Share .
   • If you can’t find Nearby Share , from the top of the screen, swipe down twice and tap Edit . Then drag Nearby Share to your Quick Settings.
3. Choose your options:
   • Visible to nearby devices: Your device is only visible if this option is turned on.
   • Everyone: Your device is visible to anyone who is nearby while your screen is on and unlocked.
   • Contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts while your screen is on and unlocked. You can choose to make your device visible to all contacts or select specific contacts.
   • Your devices: Your device is visible to your devices with the same Google Account. 

Fix problems sharing content

If you try to share or receive content, but it doesn’t work, try these steps:

• On the receiver’s phone, to make your phone visible, swipe down from the top of the screen. In your Quick Settings, tap Nearby Share .
• On both phones, check if Bluetooth is turned on. Learn how to turn on Bluetooth.
• On both phones, check if Location is turned on. Learn how to turn on location.
• Bring the devices close together, within 1 foot (30 cm) of each other.
• Turn Airplane mode on, and then off.
• Turn your phone off, then back on.
• Wait until no one else is sharing content with the other phone.

Related resources

• Interact with what’s around you
• Find & set up devices near you