Nearby Share is a useful way of sending files from one Android smartphone to the other, or from Android to Windows or Chrome OS PCs. It sends files via Wi-Fi, and it’s immensely convenient. Well, Nearby Share just became even more useful, as you can now send entire folders.
You can now send entire folders via Nearby Share, but there’s a catch
There is a catch, though. You’ll need the Files by Google app in order to make this happen. Mishaal Rahman noticed that the app now allows you to send entire folders without a problem.
For those of you out of the loop, Nearby Share is deeply integrated into Files by Google app. There is even a dedicated tab for it in the app. You can easily send entire folders now, and that is not limited to Android phones either. You can use the app to send them to Windows PCs or Chrome OS devices too.
All you have to do is open the Files by Google app, find a folder you want to share, long-press on it, and then tap the Nearby Share icon. From there, simply choose your destination machine, and you’re good.
This feature seems to be available since May, but nobody knew about it
One thing to note is that this doesn’t seem to be a brand-new feature, it just wasn’t spotted until now. The Google News Telegram channel manager, Nail Sadykov, says that the option was available since May.
Do note that this option is limited to Files by Google app. Sending folders in any other way is not possible. You’d have to zip the folder first, and then send it the usual way. This cuts that step from the equation.
Let’s hope that this feature will become available in general, though, not just via the Files by Google app. Some people, including me, prefer file manager with far more options than Files by Google, so it would be neat to have the option elsewhere too.