"Nearby Share for Windows" facilitates file sharing between Android and PC

This has taken quite a long time. AirDrop has been facilitating file sharing between different Apple devices since 2011. It wasn't until 2020 that a similar function was introduced for Android with Nearby Share. Files can now finally be transferred wirelessly between Windows computers and Android devices. Nearby Share for Windows has successfully completed the public test phase, which has been running since March 2023.

Time remaining and preview image

To mark the official launch of Nearby Share for Windows, Google has added two new features to the software. In addition to the progress and transfer speed, it now also displays the estimated time remaining for the transfer. In addition, a preview image of the transferred file appears in the Windows device notifications. HP wants to be the first manufacturer to integrate Nearby Share into "selected PCs" in the future.

You can find more information from Google about Nearby Share for Windows and the download link here.

How Nearby Share for Windows works

To be able to use Nearby Share for Windows, you need a PC with at least Windows 10 in the 64-bit version. After installation, sign in to the programme with your Google account. You can choose at any time whether the PC receives files from everyone, only from your contacts or only from your devices. You can also make it invisible.

Bluetooth must be activated on both devices for the file transfer to work. Unlike with AirDrop, they must also be in the same Wi-Fi network and no more than five metres apart.

Select the files you want to share on Android, click on the Share button and then on "Nearby Share". After a short search, your PC should be visible here. To do this, Nearby Share for Windows must be started on it and the appropriate visibility selected. Click on the desired receiving device on the smartphone and confirm the transfer on the computer.

In order for the file transfer from PC to Android to work, you must activate Nearby Share on your smartphone or tablet. For example, via a tile in the quick settings. Here, too, the visibility must be suitable so that the computer can see the receiving device.

I mainly used the beta of Nearby Share for Windows to transfer photos from test devices. No more searching for and plugging in cables. A small disadvantage: The transfer speed varied greatly from process to process. The pure copying process was rarely faster than by cable, but the overall convenience for me was higher.