Windows PCs can finally connect with Google’s Nearby Share, Android’s answer to Apple AirDrop
You can now seamlessly share files and photos back and forth between your PC and phone.
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What you need to know
A popular feature from Android is now cross-compatible with Windows PCs. Google’s Nearby Share is now available in beta for Windows (viaAndroid Central). The app allows you to share files back and forth between supported devices. With support for Windows, you can now seamlessly transfer files between thebest Android phonesand Windows 11 PCs.
Nearby Share is Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop. With it, you can tap an icon in the share menu to send files to anyone that is nearby. That same functionality now works with Windows PCs, making the feature significantly more versatile.
Devices should be within 16 feet (5 meters) of each other to use Nearby Share, according to Google. Both devices also need to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. Our colleagues at Android Central have a guide onhow to use Nearby Share on your Android phone. The process is almost identical when using the tool with a Windows PC.
You can download Nearby Share Beta for Windows throughAndroid.com.
Here are theminimum PC requirements to use Neary Sharefrom Google, note that ARM devices are not supported:
Derrek Lee from Android Central played around with the feature and was impressed. “I’ve played with the app a little bit, and I have to say, it works just as well as I would’ve hoped. After I drop files into the window, the app is quick to recognize my phone and vice versa,” said Lee.
“Sending files is pretty fast, and receiving them works just as well. You also don’t have to leave the Nearby Share app open on your PC for your phone to recognize it, which is pretty handy.”
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I’ve also installed Nearby Share on my PC and had similar success. We’ll spend more time with it to see how it compares withMicrosoft Phone Linkand other tools that let you share files between phones and PCs.
Nearby Share for Windows (beta) | Free from Google
This app allows you to share files back and forth between Android devices and Windows PCs. Nearby Share is supported on most Android smartphones, which means you can now easily share content to and from your phone and computer.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
