Google launches its AirDrop alternative ‘Nearby Share’ for Android phones

Google's Nearby Share will be available first on select Pixel and Samsung smartphones.

Google's Nearby Share is now official. (Google)

Google has finally launched its AirDrop-like alternative ‘Nearby Share'. It is rolling out to devices running Android 6.0 and above. Google's Nearby Share lets users share files, photos, links, videos and more with other Android devices.

At launch, Nearby Share will be available only on select Google Pixel and Samsung smartphones. Google plans to roll out support for more Android phones in the coming weeks. Google has been testing Nearby Share for quite some time, and some phones have already received the feature.

Nearby Share uses your phone's Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WebRTC or Wi-Fi to transfer files. It also works in offline mode. Nearby Share will detect the fastest connection available and use that to share files. It detects a phone via Bluetooth but if Wi-Fi Direct is available than that faster connection will be used.

Google's privacy settings on Nearby Share. (Google)

Google's privacy settings on Nearby Share. (Google)

Nearby Share will appear in the file sharing tab just below the photo or video or whichever file you choose. Once you select Nearby Share, it will scan for nearby devices and then you can select the user you wish to share the files with. Google also says that content shared via Nearby Share is encrypted and the user's contact details remain anonymous. 

Nearby Share requires the receiver to have the feature turned on for it to work. Google offers different options for your Nearby Share profile. You can choose three options - hidden, some contacts, all contacts. Under some contacts, you can choose the contacts you want to receive files via Nearby Share.

Google will implement Nearby Share on Chromebooks in the coming months. Users will then be able to share files between their Android phone and a Chromebook.