It looks like an update to Google’s new file-sharing service, Google Nearby Share is rolling out much more widely. The update, reported by XDA Developers that more users will get access to the feature in the near future.
Nearby share first launched at the beginning of August. However, only a limited number of smartphone received the feature initially. Despite this, there was great fanfare concerning the feature with many suggesting it would be an upgrade on AirDrop.
Nearby Share rolling out more widely
This update has rolled Google Nearby Share to many more people. Very early on the thought was that this feature would only be available to Android 11 users. However, upon its launch, Google announced that anyone running Android 6.0 or newer would have access to it. This meant that given the age of Android 6.0 almost everyone would get the service.
However, in its initial roll out Google Nearby Share was only available to select Google Pixel and Samsung. This has now changed with many more devices included in the service.
Reports from users of ASUS ZenFone 7 Pro, OnePlus Nord, Nubia Red Magic 5S, and LG Velvet have now got the update. Other OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, Realme, and Nokia phones have also spotted the feature.
There is little clarity on exactly which device do an do not have the feature as of now. We also have little indication of how much more rolling out this feature has to do to reach all devices.
Hopefully, this will come in due course. However, this is good news for users who are looking forward to use the new features. For those that are yet to receive Nearby Share, this move should hopefully mean it is coming soon.
If you have recently got access to Google Nearby Share and want to set it up then go to Settings > Google > Device Connections > Nearby Share, or Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Nearby Share.
If this setting is available to you then your device has been given access to the feature. You can also add the Nearby Share tile to Quick Settings.
What is Google Nearby Share?
For those that do not know Google Nearby Share is a service for Android users to share files between devices. Unlike Apple users, those with Android phones have never had such a service.
Android Beam is the closest we have come to something like AirDrop. However, this service required the tapping of phones to initiate a ‘handshake’ of sorts.
Google Nearby Share allows users to share files at the touch of a button. When users touch the “share” button in an app they have the option of selecting ‘Nearby Share’.
Users close by will then get a notification if someone near you wants to share a file with you. Anyone can accept or decline a file share request. After accepting files are transferred through Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, or peer-to-peer WiFi.