If you want to share files between Apple devices, you use Apple's AirDrop. For Android users, there's a feature called Quick Share. Designed to help you share photos, videos, and other files, the feature initially supported file sharing only with other Android devices. However, the latest Windows version also lets you share files with Windows PCs.
Formerly known as Nearby Share, the feature was merged with Samsung's Quick Share tool of the same name. The new name also reflects the fact that your devices no longer need to be as close to each other to exchange files. Here’s how to get started with Quick Share.
How to Share Android to Android
To share files between two Android devices, both must be running Quick Share with Bluetooth and location services turned on. On most Android devices, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Quick Share. Turn on the switch next to Who can share with you.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share. Make sure that the options for Share with Galaxy devices and Share with non-Galaxy devices display an account name.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Samsung)On any device, turn on and tap the setting for Who can share with you and choose which people and devices you want to include. Depending on the device and version of Android, the options can be any of the following:
- No one or Your Devices: Exchange files only between an Android device and Windows PC to which you’re signed in with your account.
- Contacts or Contacts Only: Share files with anyone in your Google address list, though you can fine-tune this to select only specific contacts.
- Everyone: Exchange files with anyone nearby. By default, this option lasts for only 10 minutes, though you can also extend it.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)By default, Quick Share uses Bluetooth to find and talk to nearby devices. On a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can change that to only use Wi-Fi. At the Quick Share screen, turn on the Use Wi-Fi only switch. On any phone, tap Device name and confirm or change the name that will appear when sharing files.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)Send and Receive Files on Android
To use Quick Share to send files, swipe down twice from the top of the screen to view the quick settings menu and make sure the Bluetooth icon is on. Here, you can also confirm your current sharing status and tap the icon to change it.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)You can send a file using Quick Share through any app that supports the built-in Android Share feature, including the Files app, Gallery, and Google Photos, as well as third-party file services like Microsoft OneDrive.
Launch a supported app and open the file you wish to share, such as a photo, video, audio, or document. In some cases, you can just tap the file without opening it. Tap the Share icon and then select Quick Share. At the Quick Share screen, wait for any nearby Android devices to appear, then tap the name of the device to send the file.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)The file is then sent to the other device. The user of that phone sees a notification that the file has been received. From there, they can open the folder to which the file was sent or launch the file in its associated app.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)In cases where multiple apps can open a file, you’ll need to select the specific app you wish to use. For example, a PDF could be opened with a variety of apps. Select the app and decide whether you want to use this app to open the file type just once or always. The file then opens in the chosen app.
Should you run into any trouble with Quick Share between Android devices, Google has a few suggestions for troubleshooting:
- Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Location turned on.
- Bring the devices closer together (within one foot of each other).
- Turn Airplane mode on and off.
- Turn the devices off and on.
- Wait until no one else is sharing content with the other phone.
How to Share from Android to Windows
To send files between an Android device to a Windows PC, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must both be enabled in Windows. Quick Share for Windows is currently available for 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
To kick things off on a PC, open the Quick Share website and click the Download Quick Share button. Run the downloaded BetterTogetherSetup.exe file to install the program. Open the Quick Share for Windows shortcut from the Start menu. If you’re not automatically signed in, click Sign in to log in with your Google account.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)To send a file to your PC from a Android device using the Quick Share app, click the drop-down menu on the left sidebar under the PC’s name and select one of the options for receiving files—Receive from everyone, Receive from contacts, or Receive from your devices. You can set it to Device is hidden when Quick Share is no longer in use.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)Make sure the Quick Share for Windows app is running, either in the foreground or in the background. By default, you can exit the app, and it will continue to run as an icon in the Windows System Tray.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)On the Android device, open the file that you want to share. Tap the Share icon in Android and choose Quick Share. Select the name of your Windows PC. The first time this is done, you may need to pair the Android device and computer. The file is then sent to the computer, where it can be opened in the appropriate program.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)How to Share From Windows to Android
To send files (or an entire folder) from Windows to a nearby Android device, drag and drop it onto the Quick Share for Windows screen or select it from File Explorer, then choose the Android device.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)The first time you try to send a file from Windows, the Android device will prompt you to pair and connect with the PC. Tap the requests on both devices to initiate the pairing and connection. Click Accept on your Android device. After the file is transferred, you can open it with its associated app.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Google)