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Since theadvent of Nearby Sharein 2020, Android users have been enjoying the convenience of wireless file transfers between their phones and tablets. However, moving files from an Android device to a Windows computer has always been a little more clunky, making us envious of Apple’s AirDrop. Times are changing and Google finally has a workableNearby Shareimplementation for Windows, currently in beta. We took the utility for a spin to get a look at everything it has to offer.
Google announced plans to launch Nearby Share for Windows at CES 2022. Nearly a year later, like many of you, I was still emailing files to myself, using cloud storage as an intermediary, ormessaging myself on WhatsApp. But hope for change arrived earlier this week, when Google announced theNearby Share beta for Windows. Although still in testing for now, this release gives us a solid look at what to expect from the stable feature.
Prerequisites
Google’s beta is available in the US and many other countries, with the notable exceptionsmostly in Europe. You’ll need a device running Android 6 Marshmallow or newer (which ishopefullynot a problem for pretty much anyone), and a computer running the 64-bit version of Windows 10 or 11. Unfortunately, ARM-based computers aren’t supported.
All the devices involved in the transfer need Bluetooth, and must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Google recommends a separation of 16 feet (5 meters) or less between your phone/tablet and computer.
Installation and setup on PC
To use Google’s Nearby Share utility, you’ll need to download and install the software. ClickGet started with Betaon theNearby Share app webpage, download the installer file (named BetterTogetherSetup.exe), and run it. During the installation, it may ask you to sign in to your Google account, name your computer for the Nearby Share transfers, choose who can share with you, and opt in to sending diagnostic data. Don’t worry about incorrectly configuring these during installation, because we can change all these settings later. Close the installer after the setup is complete.
Google Nearby Share Windows Beta installation process
Disappointingly, the installation doesn’t create a desktop shortcut, but you will findNearby Share Beta from Googlenow living in your Start menu. You can pin it to the Start menu, or set it to auto-run after boot like I did. Switch on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from the taskbar on your Windows computer and open the program. I was pleased to see a rather Android-y interface, even though that means a stark contrast to the Windows 10 or 11 UI. In the program, click thegear iconin the upper right corner to change a few settings (the ones you configured during installation) before your first file transfer using Nearby Share.
TheDevice namesetting defines how your computer will appear to other devices. Below that, you may configure the directory to save received files. The application defaults to using the Downloads folder, which is okay, but remember that you cannot define the save location separately for each transfer. The Device visibility setting has four options, just like on Android:
We advise against using Everyone mode on public Wi-Fi like at airports and coffee shops, for security reasons. The mode is useful if you’re on secure Wi-Fi, though. I found it convenient to switch device visibility from the drop-down menu on the program’s home page.
It’s also really nice how the program is minimized to the taskbar corner overflow menu even when you close it. Remember that you can use Everyone mode even without signing in during the setup process, but other modes require a Google sign-in.
How to set up your phone
On your phone, make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on. An option to turn on Nearby Share should be available underSettings>Connected Devices>Connection Preferences>Nearby Share. Here, switch on the toggles forUse Nearby ShareandDevice visibility, so your phone is visible to your computer.
You can tap theDevice Visibilityoption to switch from Everyone mode to any other setting. For this demonstration, we will useEveryonemode on both the PC and the Android device, but if you sign in to the same Google account on both devices, you can stick to theYour devicesmode for enhanced security. Note thatDevice visibilitymust be switched on for transfers, even if you’re sharing files between your own devices.
How to send files from your PC
Once configured correctly and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can start your first transfer.
How to receive files on your PC
Receiving files on your PC is just as straightforward, as long as you connect the devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
A convenient experience, even in beta
In our usage over the last couple of days, Google’s Nearby Share beta has worked reliably, and we didn’t encounter any failed transfers or random disconnects — as long as the Android device was close to the PC. Transfer speeds are respectable, too, with multiple images and documents taking just a few seconds when transferred to and from the Windows computer. Although we only talked about file transfers here, you can also send links and copied text between to and from your Windows machine using this beta utility.
Google’s Nearby Share for Windows has the potential to become the AirDrop equivalent we’ve always wanted, but the company’s choice of an Android-inspired design for the Windows client serves as a constant reminder this is not Microsoft’s native solution. Google’s solution is functional, but for a truly homogenous experience, we may have to wait for Microsoft to upgrade its own nearby sharing for Windows to support Android phones.
UPDATE: 2025-06-16 06:45 EST BY CHANDRAVEER MATHUR
Text and link transfers work too
Thanks to a commenter, we can confirm Google’s Nearby Share beta for Windows also allows sharing and receiving plain text and web links. The article has been updated to reflect this.
