Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop feature has been released today on select Samsung and Pixel devices. The tech giant announced that they’re currently working to introduce the sharing feature to more Android smartphones in the coming weeks.
Nearby Share allows Android phones to receive and send files that are in close proximity to each other. Once opened, it will show a list of devices for receiving or sending files. After accepting, it will be sent via peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, WebRTC, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth.
In terms of security, you can choose to change your phone’s privacy settings to ‘all contacts’, ‘some contacts’ or ‘hidden’, or choose to share files anonymously if you don’t want other people to see your contact information.
Currently, Nearby Share is prominently featured in thumbnails as an available option instead of being buried under app options. Google is also working to introduce the feature to Chromebooks for an easier way to transfer files from laptops to smartphones and vice versa.