How to AirDrop on Android

IOS and Android have respective file-sharing systems: AirDrop and Quick Share (previously Nearby Share). The services accomplish similar tasks within the walls of their platforms, but what if you want to use AirDrop on Android? Is it possible? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Quick Sshare or Nearby Share?: Google’s version of AirDrop

In the simplest terms, Nearby Share was Google’s version of Apple’s AirDrop. The service is now known as Quick Share. It allows Android devices to transfer files between devices seamlessly. Both use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. A cool pro coming from Quick Share is that you can use QR codes to share with people not on your contacts, or far away.

More recently, the service has extended its reach to Chromebooks and Windows PCs. However, it isn’t compatible with any Apple products. Quick Share and AirDrop lack cross-compatibility. Similarly, AirDrop can only transfer files between Apple devices.

Before Quick Share, Nearby Share’s predecessor was first introduced to Android in 2011 as Android Beam. Nearby Share first arrived on Pixel phones in 2020 and rolled out to all Android devices running Marshmallow and newer later that year. It has undergone several upgrades since, including the ability to share information beyond files, from Wi-Fi passwords to contact details. Google and Samsung later joined forces to improve the service, with Quick Share gradually rolling out to Android devices starting in February 2024.

How to use Quick Share on Android

If you own a phone from 2015 or later, Nearby Share should be built in. On newer phones, it should be known as Quick Share. However, you have to activate the feature by going to your phone’s Google settings.

If you still have Nearby Share, you can activate it by going to Settings > Google > Devices and Sharing > Nearby Share and toggle the feature On.

If you use Quick Share, things are a bit different now. You can’t turn the feature off, but you can allow or stop people from viewing your device or sending you files.

How to enable Quick Share:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Connected devices.
3. Tap on Connection preferences.
4. Select Quick Share.
5. Pick Who can share with you.
6. Make sure Visible to nearby devices is enabled. Then, you can specify who you want to be able to share with you.

Once this is set up, people can use Quick Share to send you files. If you want to share your own files with others, follow the steps below.

How to share files using Quick Share:

1. Launch the app you want to share from. In this case, we will use Google Photos to show case the steps.
2. Find and launch the file you want to share.
3. Tap on Share.
4. Select Quick Share.
5. Select the device you want to share with.
6. Done!

How to AirDrop files between iPhone and Android

There is no way to AirDrop files between iPhone and Android, nor can you use Nearby Share to send a file from an Android device to an iOS device. However, several third-party alternatives and workarounds make the file transfer process possible.

Use AirDroid instead

AirDroid is an established app and platform that allows users to send and receive files across Android and iOS. Its free version is pretty limited and loaded with annoying ads, but it does mimic Quick Share and AirDrop’s functionality to a point, provided the two devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

To send files from iPhone and Android, and vice versa:

1. Install AirDroid on your Android or iOS device.
   • You can choose to create an account or not, but it’s not necessary, provided the two devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Ensure that both devices are linked to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Go into the Nearby tab.
4. Hit Tap to Search.
5. Once the recipient device is found, tap on its icon.
   • The icon should display the name of the device as well as the IP address associated with it.
6. This will launch something that looks like a chat. You can message the user or tap on the paperclip or image icons to send files.

Use a cloud storage service

Alternatively, storing your files in a central location is a great way to serve both iPhones and Android devices. Google Drive makes the most sense here, as it’s natively available on Android and can be installed on an iPhone. There’s also Microsoft’s OneDrive if you’re interested in bringing Windows into the mix.

Additionally, if you want to transfer photos from iPhone to Android, you can do this with relative ease by accessing iCloud from your Android device browser.

Use a chat app

WhatsApp and Telegram have uses far beyond simple text messages. Both apps allow you to send files of up to 2GB to others in your contact list or yourself.