Send files or apps to people nearby

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.

1. On your Android device, open Files by Google .
2. On the bottom right, select the "Share" tab .
3. Tap Send.
   1. If you are using Files by Google for the first time, accept the permission requests. Learn more about permission requests.
   2. 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.
4. Ask the person you want to share with to follow steps 1–5 in Receive files or apps from people nearby.
5. Tap the person's name. It may take up to a minute for the name to display.
6. Tap a category tap the files or apps that you want to share.
7. Tap Send.
   Note: While you're connected, the person you're sharing with can also send files or apps to you.
8. To send more files, tap Send more files.
9. To disconnect, tap Back .
10. On the confirmation pop up, tap Disconnect.

If you can't connect after 1 minute, try the following steps:

1. Bring your devices closer together.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
3. Make sure the location setting is turned on.
4. Cancel the connection. Turn airplane mode on, then off. Try connecting again.
5. Ask the other person to send a file to you. If you get it, send them something in the same session.