Share files with nearby devices

Important: Nearby Share is now Quick Share. Look for the new name and icon to share with nearby Android devices, Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Sharing is still compatible for some devices that still have the old feature name.

You can share text, images, files or web pages with other Android and Chromebook devices that are nearby. You can also receive and connect to saved Wi-Fi networks sent from Android devices.

What you need

Chrome OS version 91 and up. Learn how to update your Chromebook’s operating system.
Android version 6.0 and up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.

Important: If you use your Chromebook at work or school, you may not be able to use these features with your phone. For more help, contact your administrator.

Set up sharing

Important: By default, Quick Share is off. To send or receive files nearby, turn on Quick Share on your device.

On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time Settings .
On the left, select Connected devices.
Next to “Quick Share,” select Set up.
Choose a name for your device and select Done.
Select your Device visibility.
Choose your options:
- All contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts while your screen is on and unlocked.
- Some contacts: Your device is visible to nearby contacts you choose while your screen is on and unlocked.
- Hidden: Your device is only visible when someone tries to share content and you make your device visible.
Select Confirm.

Tip: To turn sharing off, go to Settings and then tap Connected devices then turn off Quick Share.

Share content with someone

On your Chromebook, open Files .
Right-click the file you want to share
Select Share Quick Share.
- To share multiple files: Press Ctrl, then select the files Share Quick Share.
Select the device you want to share your file with Share.
- Once the receiver confirms the share, your file is sent.

Share content to your other devices

When you use Quick Share with any Android or Chromebook that's logged in to the same Google Account, transfers are automatically accepted.

Share content from Chromebook to Android

On your Chromebook, open Files .
Right-click the file you want to share.
Select Share Quick Share.
- To share multiple files:
  1. Press Ctrl, then select the files Share Quick Share.
Select the device to share file with Next.
- On your Android device, you'll find that you received a file from your Chromebook.
- When the file is transferred, you’ll get a notification on your Chromebook and on your Android device.

Share content from Android device to your Chromebook

On your Android device, open Files ,
Select a file you want to share.
Select Share or Send Quick Share.
Select the device you want to share your file with Next.
- When the file is transferred, you’ll get a notification on your Android device and on your Chromebook.
- If your Chromebook is locked, you’ll still receive the file being transferred.

Share content from apps

You can also share files from inside apps.

At the bottom left corner of your screen, select Launcher .
To find all of your apps, select Up .
Select the app that contains your content and find your content within the app.
Select Share Quick Share.
Select a device Share.
- Once the device that receives the content confirms the share, your content is sent.

Get content from someone

Important: To get files from someone, your device must be visible to them. To make your device visible temporarily, on your Chromebook, select the time

Quick Share. Temporary visibility mode is on for 5 minutes, after which the device is no longer visible to nearby devices.

You get a notification that someone wants to share content.
Select your Device name and Device visibility.
Select Turn on.
To get the content, select Accept.

Choose who can share content with you

On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time Settings .
Select Quick Share Device visibility.
Choose your options:
- All contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts while your screen is on and unlocked.
- Some contacts: Your device is visible to nearby contacts you choose while your screen is on and unlocked.
- Hidden: Your device is only visible when someone tries to share content and you make your device visible.

Turn on sharing temporarily

Important: To make your device temporarily visible to everyone nearby, you can turn on Quick Share from quick settings.

On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select the time.
Select Quick Share.

Related resources

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