The peer to peer (P2P) sharing feature in Files by Google lets you send and receive files and apps without using mobile data or connecting to Wi-Fi. To share files with people nearby, all users must have the Files by Google app. If you haven't already, get the app from the Play Store.
Important:
- Only share files that you're legally allowed to share. Read our Terms of Service and user policy for more information.
- Files by Google automatically turns on Bluetooth when you send or receive files.
- Files by Google uses an encrypted connection to protect your private data.
Share a file
- On your Android device, open Files by Google
.
- On the bottom right, select the "Share" tab
.
- Tap Send.
- If you are using Files by Google for the first time, accept the permission requests. Learn more about permission requests.
- If you don’t have a username yet, follow the prompts to create one. Your username is displayed to other users so that they can find your device.
- Ask the person you want to share with to follow steps 1–5 in Receive files or apps from people nearby.
- Tap the person's name. It may take up to a minute for the name to display.
- Tap a category
tap the files or apps that you want to share.
- Tap Send.
Note: While you're connected, the person you're sharing with can also send files or apps to you. - To send more files, tap Send more files.
- To disconnect, tap Back
.
- On the confirmation pop up, tap Disconnect.
.
tap the files or apps that you want to share.
.Troubleshooting: SD card undetected issue
Unable to send or receive files
If you can't connect after 1 minute, try the following steps:
- Bring your devices closer together.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Make sure the location setting is turned on.
- Cancel the connection. Turn airplane mode on, then off. Try connecting again.
- Ask the other person to send a file to you. If you get it, send them something in the same session.