Nearby Share, Google’s Airdrop Rival Is Finally Here!

Long-awaited and highly anticipated file sharing app from Google called Nearby Share to rival Airdrop has finally been launched. It’s very long after the launch of Airdrop back in 2011 but finally, Google has addressed this demand from many Android users. Nearby Share has been launched as part of the Beta program for select devices. The users will be allowed to share files, texts, links, images, and more between devices.

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Eligible Devices

Currently, the devices that can use the app are limited to only those who have participated in the Google Play Services Public Beta Program. The app will be launched for all devices featuring Android 6+. The app will first come to Google’s Pixel devices followed by a select range of Samsung devices.

How Does It Work?

Nearby Share app is set to work both online as well as offline. The only major requirement is the devices need to be in close proximity. There are various means to transfer the files using the app such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, and peer-to-peer WiFi.

To transfer data, all you have to do is open the app and select the files to be shared. After doing so select the individual with whom you wanted to share the content. The receiver will be notified that you are trying to send him files along with an option to Accept or Decline the transfer. And then with very high speed, your selected data can be transferred easily. The receiver will have to make the device discoverable before the sender searches for the device.

We’re currently conducting a beta test of a new Nearby Share feature that we plan to share more information on it in the future.

Our goal is to launch the feature with support for Android 6+ devices as well as other platforms.

– Google (On Nearby Share)

Is It Cross-Platform?

The app so far will be compatible with only Mobile Phones. But Google is said to be in the final stages of creating the app for Chromebooks as well, meaning users can share files to and fro from Android devices and Chromebooks very soon. Google is also working on providing support for the app on the Google Chrome browser as well. But the feature will be limited to Windows devices only.