Google Nearby Share Expands to Windows Platform
After a successful beta phase that began in March, Google Nearby Share, a long-standing file transfer app on Android devices, is now officially launching on Windows. This expansion of the app’s functionality is a significant milestone, as it previously only supported file transfers between Android phones. With the latest update, users can effortlessly share files between Windows PCs and Android devices using a local wireless connection. This eliminates the requirement for an internet connection and offers faster transfer speeds compared to conventional Bluetooth methods, according to a report by XDA Developers.
Seamless file transfer to different devices
As part of the full release, Google is introducing several new improvements to the Nearby Share experience on Windows. When receiving a file, users can now preview images before accepting the transfer, providing added convenience and assurance that they are receiving the correct file. Additionally, the app displays an estimated file completion time during the transfer process, eliminating guesswork and making the overall experience even smoother.
Collaboration with Windows OEMs for greater coverage
The announcement doesn’t end there. Google continues this collaboration by working with select Windows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate Nearby Share directly into their PCs. The recently launched HP Dragonfly Pro, available as both a Windows laptop and a Chromebook, is among the first to get this integration. This step will undoubtedly expand the app’s usability and may position Lähijao as one of the most popular file sharing methods across devices. Impressively, the beta version of the app has already been downloaded more than 1.7 million times, which shows its growing popularity among users.
This change also poses a challenge to Microsoft’s own local sharing functionality, which has been part of Windows 11 and 10 for some time. However, Microsoft’s offering was limited to Windows devices, making it less practical for those looking to transfer files between their phone and computer. Although third-party apps on Android offered similar functionality, Microsoft never embraced the idea, leaving room for Google to take the lead. By partnering with Windows OEMs, Google gains an advantage and can potentially reduce the use of Windows’ native nearby sharing feature, especially if other manufacturers follow HP’s lead and integrate Google’s app by default.
Are you ready to try nearby sharing on Windows?
For those who want to try Local Sharing on Windows, the app is available for download from the official website. On Android devices, the feature is already seamlessly integrated into the latest operating system versions and does not require additional settings.
With Nearby Share’s Windows extension, Google narrows the gap between Android and Windows users, enabling easy and efficient file sharing between different devices. As technology continues to break down barriers, this shift sets a precedent for future collaboration and innovation that will improve the user experience across platforms.
