Share files and links with nearby devices

Share content easily and securely. You can share things like photos or videos, contacts, documents, and links. Send them to another device near you without using an internet connection.

You can share with Android 6+ devices and Chromebooks, and with selected Windows devices through an app. Sharing with iPhones isn’t supported. For more about supported devices and countries, see Google's help.

Send and receive content

Turn on sharing

  1. Open quick settings and tap .

    Or, go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick Share.

  2. Tap Who can share with you.
  3. If prompted, turn on Bluetooth and location.

  4. Choose who can see your phone for sharing.

Share content

  1. Open the content to share.

  2. Tap or tap more options icon > Share, then select Quick Share.

    Your phone will look for nearby devices.

  3. Hold your phone and the other phone close to each other.

  4. When you see the other phone in your list of nearby devices, tap its name to send the item.

    The other person can accept or reject the transfer.

Receive content

  1. When someone shares content with you, you’ll get a notification.

    If needed, tap the notification to make your phone visible.

  2. To get the content, tap Accept.

Turn off sharing

  1. Open quick settings and tap .
  2. Turn Who can share with you off toggle off switch.
TipYou can change your phone’s name to something less identifiable before sharing or receiving. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick Share > Device name and edit the name.

Choose who can see you for sharing

To adjust who can share with you:

  1. Open quick settings and tap .

    Or, go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick Share > Who can share with you.

  2. Choose who can see your phone for sharing:

    • Your devices: Your phone is visible to your other devices that are signed into the same Google account, even when the screen is off or locked.
    • Contacts: Your phone is visible to your nearby contacts when the screen is on and unlocked.
    • Everyone: Your phone is visible to anyone nearby when the screen is on and unlocked. To limit access to 10 minutes, mark the checkbox.

    If a contact isn't available, you'll need to add an email address associated with their Google account to their contact info.

Fix an issue

If you can't share content with someone, try these steps:

  1. On both phones, check that Bluetooth is on.
  2. On both phones, check that Location is on.
  3. Bring the devices close together, within 1 foot (30 cm) of each other.
  4. Turn airplane mode on and then off.
  5. Turn your phone off and then on again.
  6. Wait until no one else is sharing content with the other phone.