Fast and easy data exchange between smartphones and desktop or laptop computers is now possible with Android cell phones and Windows PCs. Google has officially released Nearby Share for Windows, making it easier for users to exchange data between their devices. Previously, additional apps and software were required on both the smartphone and computer sides, or a slower SMB share had to be used. Now, users can rely on a single source – Google’s free software, which needs to be manually installed on the Windows computer. Nearby Share is already a part of the Android operating system from Android 6 on mobile phones.
To use Nearby Share on Windows, users need to have Windows 10 with a 64-bit CPU. However, Google does not currently support ARM processors, which means that Windows on ARM devices are not compatible at this time. Additionally, the computers must have Bluetooth and WLAN capabilities, as the tool requires these functionalities. While registration is not required to use the app, users can log in with a Google account to make settings such as authorizing specific users or devices to send data. Nearby Share allows users to send and receive photos, screenshots, videos, documents, and even entire folders from their smartphones to their computers, and vice versa. The tool usually switches to a fast WLAN connection, but Bluetooth can be used if needed, albeit with slightly slower transmission speeds.
It’s important to note that the beta version of Nearby Share does not update itself. Users who want to access the release version need to uninstall the beta version and reinstall it using the current installer. The beta version was first released by Google in early May this year.
Overall, Google’s Nearby Share for Windows provides a convenient solution for seamless data exchange between Android smartphones and Windows computers. With its easy installation process and versatile file sharing capabilities, users can now enjoy a seamless experience when transferring files between their devices.
