Google Launches Nearby Share for Android Users

On Tuesday the 4th of August, Google announced the launch of Nearby Share, a platform to enable reliable and easy sharing of files, pictures and links across thousands of Android phone models and billions of people.

The new feature is very similar to Apple’s AirDrop option on iPhones, Macs and iPads which was released in 2011.

According to a statement published on the Google blog post by Android Product Manager, Daniel Marcos, the new feature will be available to Android 6.0+ phones, making it easier to instantly share files, links, pictures and more with people while protecting privacy.

“The Android community has long asked for a way to quickly share content with each other from their devices. So after years of development, Android is launching Nearby Share, a platform to enable reliable and easy sharing across thousands of Android phone models and billions of people.”

The new feature will also allow easy sharing of content both online and offline.

“When you just want to quickly share something with a friend or someone nearby, it can be a hassle to open your messages, find a contact and then find the file you’d like to attach. 

“Nearby Share allows you to cut down on that time with simple taps and see a list of devices in your proximity with which you can share content. Once you select the receiver, they will be notified with the option to either accept or decline the file. Nearby Share then automatically chooses the best protocol for fast and easy sharing using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC or peer-to-peer WiFi — allowing you to share even when you’re fully offline.

“Nearby Share was built with privacy at its core, so you can share and receive files with peace of mind. Now you don’t have to worry about exchanging contact information because Nearby Share allows you to both send and receive files anonymously. It also allows you to adjust your privacy settings from your phone’s Quick Settings at any time. You can be “hidden,” visible to “some contacts” or visible to “all contacts,” so you never receive files that you didn’t ask for,” it added.