Nearby Share is a worthy AirDrop alternative for Android, making it incredibly easy to share files between Android devices. Google turned it into an even more functional tool by addingofficial support for Windows PCsfor quick transfers between your phone and laptop. But it still takes quite a few taps to start the transfer process, even if both devices are logged into the same Google account. It appears that Google is making the transfer process a tad more seamless with new quick-access shortcuts for Nearby Share targets.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman recently discovered that besides its usual array of options, Android’s share sheet now includes a few new entries from Nearby Share. Any nearby devices ready to accept files will appear right on the share sheet with direct share targets, saving you from going to the full Nearby Share menu to look up available devices. This shorter route requires fewer taps and is even better thanAirDrop, which currently requires you to select an option before you can see any AirDrop-enabled Apple devices around you.
Google hasn’t rolled this handy feature out widely just yet, though it’s steadily reaching more people, as a couple of users have confirmed that they spotted nearby devices in Android’s share sheet. However, you may get it right away by enabling thesharing__show_direct_share_ shortcutsflag in thecom.google.android.gms.nearbypackage with GAppsMod, according toa tweet by @AssembleDebug, provided you have a rooted handset. Others are better off waiting for the official rollout even if it may take a while.
Nearby Share started as a simple way of sharing stuff between Android devices, but it has turned into a far more capable, multi-platform tool that works across Chromebooks and Windows PCs. In fact, there isa workaround to get Nearby Share on Macsusing an open-source app, which is good news for those who use an Android phone along with an Apple computer. Google even addedthe ability to send entire foldersvia Nearby Share using the Files by Google app to make sharing multiple files in a single go less cumbersome.
