Google has improved Android’s integration with Windows by introducing Nearby Share in 2020, which lets users share content between Android devices and Chromebooks. Recently, the company released a beta version of the Nearby Share app, which expands usage options between PCs and Android devices within a 16-foot range.
To use this feature, you must enable WiFi and Bluetooth on your PC. You can also specify who can see your device and send you files to avoid spam messages. It’s also good to know that all transfers via Nearby Share Beta are end-to-end encrypted to ensure the security of your files.
To send files between your PC and your Android phone, you can either drag and drop them into the Nearby Share app or right-click on them and select Nearby Share. If you have both devices and they are logged into the same Google account, transfers will be automatically accepted even if the recipient’s screen is turned off. In the Device Visibility drop-down menu, you can choose whether you want your PC to be visible to everyone, only to your contacts, only to your devices, or to no one.
The beta version is compatible with 64-bit Windows 10 and above but does not support ARM devices. Google says the feature is intended to make it easier to access large files for video and photo editing without having to upload and download them through Google Photos or another cloud service.
