Key Points:
- Nearby Share Integration: Easily share files between Android and Windows using Nearby Share.
- Seamless Process: Right-click on Windows, and send to Android with just a few taps.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on both Windows 10 and 11.
Google and Microsoft have been working hard to make their platforms work better together, especially when it comes to file sharing. While their ecosystems aren’t as tightly integrated as Apple’s, recent updates have made transferring files between Android and Windows devices easier, thanks to the Nearby Share feature.
With the latest updates to Windows’ Nearby Share, Phone Link (version 1.24032.156.0), and Link to Windows (version 1.24032.518.0), sharing files between Android and Windows has become much simpler. If you’ve connected your Android phone or tablet to a Windows PC via the Phone Link app, your device will now show up directly in the Nearby Share menu on your computer.
Here’s how it works: If you want to send a file from your Windows computer to your Android device, simply right-click on the file, select Nearby Share, and then choose your phone from the list of available devices. A notification will pop up on your Android device, asking you to accept the file. Once you approve, the file will be transferred, and you’ll get a confirmation on your computer. The file will be saved in the Downloads folder on your phone.
This feature is compatible with Windows 10 (starting from the May 2019 update) and Windows 11, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Sending files from your Android device to a Windows computer is just as easy. Open the file you want to share on your phone, tap the Share option, and select ‘Link to Windows – Send to PC.’ Then, pick your PC from the list, and the file transfer will begin. Once the process is done, you’ll have your file on your computer.
If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy Book along with a Galaxy smartphone or tablet, things get even smoother. Samsung’s Quick Share feature allows you to transfer files with fewer steps, making the experience even more seamless.
This update makes it clear that Microsoft and Google are committed to improving the cross-platform experience, making it easier than ever to share files between your Android and Windows devices.
