Share files or apps with Nearby Share

You can send and receive files or apps with Android devices near you.

Important: This feature is available for:

• Android device: Android 6.0 and up
• Chromebook: Chrome OS version 91 and up
• Windows: A 64-bit version of Windows 10 and up

Turn sharing on or off

1. On your Android device, turn on Bluetooth .
   1. From the top of the screen, swipe down.
   2. Tap Bluetooth .
2. Turn on Location .
   1. From the top of the screen, swipe down. 
   2. Touch and hold Location . 
      • If you don't find Location :
        1. Tap Edit  or Settings .
        2. Drag Location  into your Quick Settings.
3. Turn on Nearby Share .
   1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
   2. At the top left, tap Menu   Settings .
   3. Scroll to Nearby Share .
   4. Turn on Nearby Share .

How Nearby Share handles your data

Nearby Share collects certain information to perform services on your device. Some of this functionality uses Google Play services. For example, Nearby Share collects:

• Your account and device names for purposes like system functionality and account management. For example, we use your account and device name to help other devices that you share with identify the sender or receiver of the transfer.
• Contacts for purposes like system functionality and account management. For example, you can set up a list of contacts that you’re visible to and can share with.
• Usage information, crash logs, diagnostics and other performance data for purposes like analytics.

The data that Nearby Share collects is encrypted in transit.

To turn Nearby Share off on your device, go to Settings Google Devices and sharing Nearby Share.

Send files or apps

1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
2. At the bottom, tap Nearby Share .
3. Tap Send .
4. Select the files or apps that you want to share.
   • You can share up to 500 files. When you reach the maximum number of files to share, you’re notified.
5. At the bottom, tap  Next.
   • A Nearby Share half-sheet pops up where you can find Android devices near you.
6. Select the person that you want to share files with.
7. After the files or apps are transferred, you’ll be redirected to the ‘Nearby Share’ tab.

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Receive files or apps

1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
2. At the bottom, tap Nearby Share .
3. Tap Receive .
   • A Nearby Share half-sheet pops up with the files or apps shared with you.
4. Tap Accept.
   • To delete all files transferred, tap Cancel.
5. After the transfer is complete, to find the files received, tap Browse Downloads.

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Troubleshooting issues

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

• To make your phone visible to the other user:
  1. From the top of your screen, swipe down.
  2. In Quick Settings, tap Nearby Share .
• On both devices, check if Bluetooth is turned on. Learn how to turn on Bluetooth. 
• On both devices, check if Location is turned on. Learn how to turn on Location. 
• Keep the devices within 30 cm of each other.
• Turn aeroplane mode on and off.
• Turn off your device. Then, turn it back on.
• Make sure that no one else shares content with the other device.

• For the best experience, update your Files by Google app to the latest version.

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Related resources

• Share files between your Android device and Windows computer