Nearby Share App from Google allows data to be transferred via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, similar to what Apple’s AirDrop and Android Beam do. It allows the rapid short-range exchange of images, videos, text, contact info, and more. The app works both online and offline. The app was officially released on 4 August 2020 and now is all set to witness a major upgrade.
New feature of Nearby Share by Google
Till now, Google Nearby Share needed users’ approval for the share request before they were able to receive files from other users and this approval had to be taken every time a user has to share a file with another user. Soon, this is going to change.
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As per Esper’s Mishaal Rahman, Google is all set to roll out an update to its Android and Chrome OS-powered devices that will allow the users to share files without needing approval every single time. The company is apparently working on a “Self-share” feature that will enable the users to share files with devices signed in to the same account without needing approval every time they need to share a file.
Currently, there are 3 options available to the users- ‘Everyone’, ‘Contacts’ and ‘Hidden’ while sharing files using this app but according to the image shared by Rahman, the company will replace ‘Hidden’ with a new ‘Your Devices’ option. It will also include a toggle button that will allow users to make their Android/Chrome-backed devices visible to other nearby devices. The transfer would be very quick as it won’t need your approval to send the file every time. This feature would make things very easier for those who have multiple Android/Chromebook devices with them.
When users will choose the 3rd ‘Your Devices’ option, they will be able to transfer files seamlessly between their own devices without any delays. All you need to do is allow your device to detect all nearby devices available for sharing by keeping ‘Device Visibility’ on.
Google has not rolled out this feature yet, but it is already listed in the latest Google Play Services version which hints that the feature would be available for all very soon. For now, this feature is in private testing mode and we are still waiting to hear about it from the horse’s mouth.
“This hasn’t rolled out yet from what I can see, but it’s present in the latest version of Google Play Services,” Rahman wrote on Twitter.
Google’s I/O being less than a month away could mean the feature might be announced during the event. If this happens, then Google surely has its hands full with announcements it has to make next month. The company is expected to tell us more about the Android 13 version too during the conference.
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Using Google Nearby Share’s latest feature
- Open the content, like a photo or a webpage, or a video.
- Tap on the Share button and then click on the Nearby Share button.
- Now tap the Turn on option.
- Hold your phone and your friend’s device closer to each other.
- Under “Looking for nearby devices” tap on your friend’s device.
- After the content has been sent, tap Done.
