Android Finally Bring File Sharing with Nearby Share, Coming to Android 6.0 and Above

File sharing over wifi is one of the most convenient ways to transfer data on Android. Users are able to share files from their smartphones to their computers or with other devices via wifi direct with Android. Ever since the ban on Chinese apps by the Indian Government users have been looking for an alternative to the famous Shareit app. It seems that now finally a great alternative is coming for Android users and that too by Google. Google has finally started rolling out the Nearby Share feature on Android. As of now only the Pixel devices and some of the Samsung smartphone is getting it but Google has confirmed that they will be rolling out Nearby Share for all the devices that are running on Android 6.0 and above in the coming weeks. 

How does Nearby Share work on Android?

If you have used file-sharing apps like ShareIt then you are familiar with the way file-sharing normally works. It looks like Google is not trying to break new ground with its own file sharing app. Nearby Share will work just like shareit used to but with a few key differences. Google has modeled the Nearby Share feature on the Apple Airdrop and the way it is supposed to function is first by choosing the file you need to share and then it will scan all the devices nearby. Once the other user appears on the screen you can then tap on their avatar and start sharing files.

The key difference here is the protocols that Nearby Share will be using. The nearby share will automatically select how to share files using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, or peer-to-peer WiFi. Google has said that the protocol will work based on the fastest way to share files. Another big feature of Nearby Share is that you will be able to share files anonymously with other users if you want to. There is an option that will let users choose if they want to be visible on Nearby Share.