Android · Network & Internet
Send Files Wirelessly with Nearby Share (Quick Share)
Nearby Share — recently rebranded Quick Share — lets you send photos, videos, links, and files directly to another nearby Android device, Chromebook, or Windows PC using a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without needing cellular data or a shared internet connection. Visibility settings control exactly who can discover your device and send you something.
How to open Nearby Share
- Open Settings → Google → Devices & sharing → Quick Share (or swipe down to Quick Settings and long-press the Quick Share tile).
- Set your visibility to 'Everyone', 'Your devices', or 'Contacts'.
- From the sharing app, tap 'Share' → 'Quick Share' and select the nearby device.
- Accept the incoming transfer prompt on the receiving device to complete it.
What you should know
- Both devices need Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, though an internet connection isn't required for the transfer itself.
- Visibility can be set to 'Everyone', 'Your devices', or 'Contacts' to control who can see and send to your device.
- A confirmation prompt with the sender's name appears before any file is actually accepted, so nothing downloads without approval.
- Transfers can also go to compatible Windows PCs and Chromebooks in addition to other Android phones.
Leaving visibility set to 'Everyone' in a crowded public place can invite unsolicited transfer requests from strangers nearby — switch to 'Your devices' or 'Contacts' when you're not actively sharing.
Why it matters
Nearby Share removes the friction of emailing yourself a file or plugging in a cable just to move something between two devices sitting next to each other. Because it doesn't rely on mobile data or a shared Wi-Fi network, it works reliably even somewhere with no signal at all, like on a plane or in a basement. The visibility controls also matter for privacy, since an overly open setting effectively broadcasts your device's presence and openness to transfer requests to every nearby stranger.
Best practices
- Keep visibility set to 'Contacts' or 'Your devices' for daily use, switching to 'Everyone' only briefly when sharing with someone new.
- Turn on both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi manually if a transfer seems slow to start, since Nearby Share depends on both radios.
- Confirm the sender's name on the confirmation prompt before accepting a transfer from an unfamiliar device.
- Use Nearby Share instead of a cable for quick transfers to a Chromebook or Windows PC when both support it.
Common problems and fixes
- A nearby device doesn't show up in the share list at all.
- Confirm both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on and Nearby Share visibility set to include the other device, then move them closer together.
- Transfers between an Android phone and a Windows PC fail or time out.
- Update the Quick Share app on Windows to the latest version, since compatibility issues are more common there than between two Android devices.
- A transfer accepted successfully but the file can't be found afterward.
- Check the Downloads folder via the Files app first, since photos and documents often land there rather than in a dedicated gallery.
- Unwanted share requests keep appearing from unfamiliar people nearby.
- Switch visibility from 'Everyone' to 'Contacts' or 'Your devices' under Quick Share settings.
Tips and tricks
- Add the Quick Share tile to Quick Settings for a one-swipe way to toggle visibility without digging through the Settings app.
- Select multiple files at once from the share sheet to send them in a single Nearby Share transfer instead of repeating the process.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nearby Share use my mobile data?
No, it transfers directly between devices over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct, without needing cellular data or a shared internet connection.
Is Nearby Share the same thing as Quick Share?
Yes, Google rebranded Nearby Share to Quick Share to align its Android and Windows naming, though it works the same way under the hood.
Can I send files to an iPhone with Nearby Share?
No, Nearby Share currently supports Android, Chromebook, and Windows devices — not iOS.
Related settings
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair headphones, speakers, watches, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you view nearby networks, connect with a password or QR code, and manage saved networks including auto-reconnect behavior.
- Privacy DashboardThe Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of exactly which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location, and when — so you can spot anything unexpected at a glance.
More Network & Internet guides for Android
- NFC & Tap to PayNFC (Near Field Communication) is the short-range radio that lets your phone exchange data with a nearby reader, most commonly used for contactless payments through Google Wallet at supported terminals. It's also used for pairing some accessories and reading NFC tags, but payments are its most common everyday use.
- Hotspot & TetheringHotspot and tethering let you share your phone's mobile data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. This is useful for getting a laptop online while traveling, or letting a friend's device briefly borrow your connection.
- VPNVPN settings let you add, connect to, and manage virtual private networks that route your device's traffic through an encrypted tunnel, commonly used for work access or added privacy on untrusted networks. Android also supports an 'always-on VPN' mode that blocks other network traffic until the VPN connects.
- Data Usage / Network & InternetNetwork & internet settings show a breakdown of mobile data and Wi-Fi usage per app, and let you set a data warning or hard limit to avoid unexpectedly exceeding your plan. Individual apps can also be restricted from using background data to further control consumption.
- Airplane ModeAirplane Mode simultaneously disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with a single toggle, complying with airline requirements while optionally letting you re-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth individually afterward.
- SIM & eSIM ManagerThe SIM Manager lets you view, name, activate, or remove physical SIM cards and downloaded eSIM profiles, choose a default line for calls, texts, and data, and set up dual-SIM configurations on supported devices.