Share files & links from your Pixel to Android phones near you

You can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC to share content with other devices near yours. You can share things like photos, videos, documents, and links.

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn sharing on or off

On your phone or tablet, make sure Bluetooth and location are turned on.
- Learn how to turn on Bluetooth.
- Learn how to turn on location.
Open your device's Settings app.
Tap Connected Devices Connection preferences Nearby Share.
Turn Device visibility on or off.

Important: Make sure the device you want to share with is nearby.

On the Quick Share page, select the content that you want to share.
Tap the device you want to share with.
- If you can’t find the other device, make sure the other device is in “Receive” mode from the Quick Share page.
Wait for the other device to accept your sharing request.
- Make sure the screen on the other device is unlocked.
- To cancel an in-progress transfer, select the same device again.
During the transfer:
- You can leave the screen and the transfer will continue.
- You’ll get a notification in your notification tray when you leave the sending screen. You can check the status, cancel, or go back to the transfer screen from the notification.
To select multiple receivers, you can tap more than one device.
- Due to technical constraints, simultaneous sharing is only supported on selected device models.
- In other cases, transfers will be queued and receivers you select later will get the transfer request when previous transfers are completed.

On the Quick Share page, make sure it’s in “Receive” mode.
- When your device is in “Receive” mode, it’s visible to anyone nearby when you’re on that screen. To stop making your device visible to anyone nearby, exit “Receive” mode.
Wait for a pop up notification that tells you who’s trying to share and what content they want to share with you.
Tap Accept or Decline.

From the top of your screen, swipe down.
Tap Nearby Share .
- If you can’t find Nearby Share , tap Edit . Then drag Nearby Share to your Quick Settings.
Choose your options:
- Device visibility: Your device is only visible if this option is turned on.
- Everyone: Your device is visible to anyone who is nearby while your screen is on and unlocked.
- Contacts: Your device is visible to your nearby contacts while your screen is on and unlocked. You can choose to make your device visible to all contacts or select specific contacts.
- Your devices: Your device is visible to your devices with the same Google Account.

If you try to share or receive content, but it doesn’t work, try these steps:

On both devices, check if Bluetooth is turned on. Learn how to turn on Bluetooth.
Bring the devices close together, within 1 foot (30 cm) of each other.
Turn Airplane mode on, and then off.
Wait until no one else is sharing content with the other device.
If the device is on Android 12 or earlier, check if Location is turned on. Learn how to turn on location.
Turn your device off, then back on.