The company said the feature, which allows devices close to one another to exchange files akin to Apple AirDrop, is “rolling out to Android 6.0+ phones today”. Some Pixel and Samsung phones already have it, and every other compatible Android device will get the update pushed “over the next few weeks”.
It works by intelligently selecting the best sending protocol from Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC or peer-to-peer WiFi, so you can share even with no signal or data connection.
Android has lacked the simple convenience of AirDrop, meaning users have until now had to share photos, videos, and files via other installed apps.
Despite the fragmentation of Android and the number of devices out there, it has taken Google a long time to debut this feature. AirDrop first came out in 2011.
The feature will also work between Android devices and Chromebooks in the coming months.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Nearby Share.
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.
