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Our software update is being released in phases. New features will gradually roll out across all regions. Stay tuned for updates.

Share files and links from your Pixel to Android phones near you

You can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC to share content with other devices near yours. You can share things like photos, videos, documents and links.

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn sharing on or off

  1. On your phone or tablet, make sure that Bluetooth and location are turned on.
  2. Open your device's Settings app.
  3. Tap Connected devices And then Connection preferences And then Nearby Share.
  4. Turn Device visibility on or off.

Share content with someone

  1. Open the content, like a photo or web page from any app.
    • Quick Share has no limit on content size or number of files, but the app that you share from might.
  2. Tap Share Share and then Quick Share .
  3. Make sure that the device that you want to share with is nearby.
  4. Tap the device that you want to share with.
    • If you can't find the device, make sure that it has set up 'Who can share with you' and has the screen unlocked.
  5. Wait for the other device to accept your sharing request.
    • To cancel an in-progress transfer, tap the same device again.
  6. During the transfer:
    • You can leave the screen and the transfer will continue.
    • You'll get a notification in your notification tray when you leave the sending screen. You can check the status, cancel or go back to the transfer screen from that notification.
  7. To select multiple receivers, you can tap more than one device.
    • Due to technical constraints, simultaneous sharing is only supported on selected device models.
    • In other cases, transfers will be queued and receivers that you select later will get the transfer request when previous transfers are completed.

Get content from someone

  1. Check that you've selected the right setting for 'Who can share with you'.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth Bluetooth.
    • Make sure that your screen is unlocked when you receive content from someone else.
  3. Wait for a pop-up notification that tells you who's trying to share, and what content they want to share with you. 
  4. Select Accept or Decline.

Choose who can share content with you

  1. From the top of your screen, swipe down.
  2. Tap Nearby Share .
    • If you can’t find Nearby Share , tap Edit Edit. Then drag Nearby Share to your Quick Settings.
  3. Choose your options:
    • Device visibility: Your device is only visible if this option is turned on.
    • Everyone: Your device is visible to anyone who is nearby while your screen is on and unlocked.
    • Contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts while your screen is on and unlocked. You can choose to make your device visible to all contacts or select specific contacts.
    • Your devices: Your device is visible to your devices with the same Google Account. 

Fix problems sharing content

If you try to share or receive content but it doesn’t work, try these steps:

  • On the receiver's device, to make your phone or tablet visible, swipe down from the top of the screen. In your Quick Settings, tap Quick Share .
  • On both devices, check if Bluetooth is turned on. Learn how to turn on Bluetooth.
  • On both devices, check if Location is turned on. Learn how to turn on location .
  • Bring the devices close together, within 30 cm of each other.
  • Turn aeroplane mode on and then off.
  • Wait until no one else is sharing content with the other device.
  • If the device is on Android 12 or earlier, check if Location is turned on.
  • Turn your device off, then back on.

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