Kind of like AirDrop, but Google
Nearby Share enables the effortless sharing of photos, files, links, contacts, and more between Android devices and Chromebooks. It takes some time to set up, but once it’s enabled, you can share files between devices with a couple of taps. If you recently picked up one of the best Chromebooks, it’s the best way to share files with your Android phone.
Nearby Share is most useful with a Chromebook, so if you don’t have one yet, our handy guide explains everything you need to know about buying one. When you’re ready, this guide shows you how to set up and use Nearby Share on a Chromebook and Android phone.
How to set up Nearby Share on your Chromebook or Android
Nearby Share is disabled by default on new Chromebooks and Android devices. However, even if you think you have it enabled, it’s worth checking as there are helpful options to adjust, like sharing over data and device visibility.
Once setup, ensure both devices have Bluetooth enabled to start using Nearby Share
How to set up Nearby Share on your Chromebook
- Open the Settings app.
- Click Set up next to Nearby Share at the top of your screen to open the Set up Nearby Share window.
- Enter a name for your device.
- Click All Contacts to adjust device visibility. You will be returned to this screen after confirming visibility.
- Select All Contacts to enable all your contacts to see your device.
- To limit the contacts that can see the device, select Some Contacts so that only specified contacts see your device. Or select Hidden to keep your device invisible unless manually enabled.
- Click Confirm from the Set up Nearby Share window to complete the setup.
Nearby Share is now enabled. Once you’ve set it up on your Android phone, you can start sharing files.
How to set up Nearby Share on your Android phone
These steps are similar for all the best Android phones and tablets. Search for “Nearby Share” in your phone’s Settings app to quickly start setup.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Google.
- Scroll down and tap Devices & sharing.
- Tap Nearby Share.
- Turn on Use Nearby Share.
- Tap Device visibility to change who your device is visible to. If the Hidden option is enabled, tap the Nearby Share tile in Quick Settings to make your device temporarily visible.
How to transfer files between an Android phone and a Chromebook
For this example, we use Google Photos to demonstrate how to use Nearby Share to send items to a Chromebook. This also works for any file on your phone and any device that supports Nearby Share. If you’re not using Google Photos, open a file and search for the Share button to follow these steps.
In these examples, we use Google Photos to share pictures between an Android phone and a Chromebook. However, the steps are nearly identical for any photo or file you wish to share. Look for the Share button on the item to find the Nearby Share option.
How to transfer files from your Android phone
- Find the photo or file you wish to share.
- Tap the Share button.
- Tap Nearby Share.
- Select the device you wish to share to.
- Tap Accept on your Chromebook or Android phone to receive the file.
How to transfer files from your Chromebook
- Find the file you wish to share.
- Right-click the file to open the Share menu. You can also click the Share button at the top of the file manager.
- Click Nearby Share.
- Select the device you wish to share to.
- Tap Accept on your Chromebook or Android phone to receive the file.
Use Nearby Share to send files in a snap
Nearby Share isn’t perfect, and it’s slow at sending large files and occasionally struggles to find devices. But when paired with Phone Hub, Google has delivered the cross-device synergy Chromebook users have been clamoring for.
Nearby Share suffers from a few bugs, but it’s still the easiest way to share files between Android or Chromebook devices. Chromebook users should also pair their Android phone with Phone Hub, which offers users brilliant cross-device synergy.
