Android Nearby Share: How to share clipboard text, images and big files with your PC

Image credit: Android

Nearby Share on Android is a handy feature — at least in theory. I was aware of it, but it never seemed particularly useful to me. After all, when it comes to sharing files between phones, there are plenty of other options: instant messaging, RCS text messages, email, and more. A dedicated file-sharing protocol didn’t feel necessary.

However, I realized where this feature would truly come in handy is in sharing text snippets (essentially sharing the clipboard contents) and big files between your phone and your PC. So, whether it’s a photo you’ve just taken or any other file you want to send to your desktop, Nearby Share simplifies the process. You just click Share, choose Quick Share, and select the device to send the file to and… your PC won’t show on the list.

To start sharing you need to:

1. Download the app: Go to the Quick Share page on the official Android website and download the installation file for Windows.
2. Install the app: Once the file downloads, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
3. Set up the app: After installation, open the Quick Share app. You’ll be prompted to either sign in with your Google account or use the app without one. Then, set your PC’s name and choose visibility preferences (everyone, contacts, your devices, or no one)​
4. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Ensure both your PC and Android phone have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. These are required for file transfers.
5. Start sharing files: To send a file from Android, select the file, tap Share, choose Nearby Share, and select your PC. Your PC will show a prompt to accept the file​

Once configured, you’ll be able to send and receive files easily between your Android device and Windows PC!

Make sure to properly set up your PC’s visibility. With Android’s Nearby Share and Quick Share on Windows, you can share a wide range of file types, including:

• Photos and videos
• Documents (e.g., PDFs, Word files)
• Audio files (e.g., MP3, WAV)
• Contact information
• Links to websites
• APK files (Android apps)
• Text snippets
• Other file types, like spreadsheets and presentations

That’s it!

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