Quick Answer
Turn on Nearby Share from Quick Settings or Settings > Connected devices > Nearby Share, then right-click a file in the Files app and choose Share > Nearby Share to send it to a nearby Android phone or Chromebook with Nearby Share turned on.
How Nearby Share Works
Nearby Share sends files directly between nearby devices using a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without needing to upload anything to Google Drive or email it first. It works between two Chromebooks, or between a Chromebook and an Android phone, as long as both devices have Nearby Share turned on and are within a few feet of each other.
Fix Steps
Step 1: Turn on Nearby Share
Click the Quick Settings area on your shelf and look for the Nearby Share tile, or go to Settings > Connected devices > Nearby Share and toggle it on. You’ll be asked to set a device name so others can recognize it.
Step 2: Set your visibility
Choose who can see your device: Your devices (only ones signed into your Google account), Contacts, Everyone for a few minutes, or Hidden. “Your devices” or “Contacts” is the safer default for everyday use.
Step 3: Turn on Nearby Share on the receiving device too
The device you’re sending to also needs Nearby Share enabled and visible, whether that’s another Chromebook or an Android phone.
Step 4: Share a file from the Files app
Open the Files app, right-click the file you want to send, and choose Share, then select Nearby Share. Nearby devices that are visible will appear in a list.
Step 5: Confirm on both devices
Tap the receiving device’s name to start the transfer. Both devices will show a matching confirmation code or prompt; accept it on the receiving device to complete the transfer.
Still Not Working?
If no devices show up in the share list, confirm Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both turned on for both devices, since Nearby Share uses a combination of the two. If a transfer stalls partway through, move the devices closer together and try again, since range and interference can interrupt larger files.
FAQ
Does Nearby Share use mobile data or my Wi-Fi plan?
No. Transfers happen directly between devices over a local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, not through the internet, so it doesn’t use mobile data or count against a metered connection.
Can I use Nearby Share with an iPhone?
No. Nearby Share only works between Chromebooks and Android devices; there’s no iOS version of the feature.
Is there a file size limit?
There’s no fixed cap in normal use, but very large files take proportionally longer and are more likely to be interrupted if devices move out of range mid-transfer.
