How To Download, Install And Use Nearby Share On Your Windows PC Today?

Sharing files between an Android device and a Windows PC is now as easy as between an iPhone and a Mac. Google promised the arrival of Nearby Share for Windows last year and has just delivered on that promise. In fact, the Mountain View company has released a beta version of its file sharing utility, which is already present on Android for Windows. As a reminder, Nearby Share or Proximity Sharing in French uses an operation similar to AirDrop, Apple’s file-sharing module. The system, which was inaugurated in 2020, only works with Android devices and Chromebook laptops so far.

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The utility, which is currently offered in beta, is compatible with both Windows 10 64-bit version and Windows 11. To use it, it is imperative that you keep the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections enabled on your computer. However, the tool is not officially available in France. On the site dedicated to Nearby Share, Google does not yet allow downloading the application from France. Without giving a reason, Google says Nearby Share is available in the US and most countries, but lists countries where it’s not yet possible to get the app.

At least officially. Because it’s really easy to bypass this limitation to download and install Nearby Share on your Windows PC today. Here’s how.

1. Download and install Nearby Share for Windows

start with Download Nearby Share on your PC. Once the installation file has been obtained, run it to complete the tool download and start the installation. After the installation is complete, click the Close button. After installation, the app will not be listed as Nearby Share, but as Nearby Share (Beta) Google.

2. Connect to Nearby Share

Now open the app Share nearby (beta) Google and click the button log in.

A sign-in page for your Google account should then open in your web browser. If you are not already signed in to your Google account, use your usual credentials, otherwise choose them Google user account you want to use Nearby Share, and then click the button Registration.

The message Successful connection is displayed on the screen once your Google account is signed into the app.

3. Configure Nearby Share

The next window suggests that you configure proximity sharing. You can change the name of your PC, which is visible to others, but also choose your reception preferences. By default, Nearby Share is configured to allow your contacts to share files with you. However, you can choose to be visible All or on the contrary, to limit the visibility of your PC to specific people or specific devices. Click on OK once your preferences have been selected.

4. Share files

You can now exchange files between your Android smartphone and your PC, one way or the other. To send a file from your PC to your Android smartphone, you have two options. The first is to drag and drop a file or folder directly into the Nearby Share window.

At this point, the tool analyzes its environment to determine the surrounding devices that can receive the shared items. All you have to do is select the device to initiate sending files to it.

The second option is to go directly from the right-click context menu. To do this, select one or more items and then choose from the right-click menu Send with proximity sharing. This will automatically open the Nearby Sharing window and all you have to do is click on the nearby device to start sending files.

The method of sharing files from your Android smartphone to your Windows PC is no different than the method used for sharing proximity between two Android devices.