Android owners will receive a free upgrade that makes sharing with friends a lot easier
GOOGLE has started rolling out a new Android feature that makes it easier to share photos, videos and files with friends.
The feature is called Quick Share and is very similar to Apple AirDrop used on iPhones.
Quick Share has been available to Samsung owners since 2022.
But Google Pixel handset owners had been missing out on Quick Share until now.
Google has announced that it will begin rolling out Quick Share at CES 2024 in January.
The move is essentially a rebrand, with Google bringing the Samsung feature under the broader Android umbrella.
Android is the operating system shared by all Google and Samsung phones.
Previously, Android users used a feature called Nearby Share, which doesn't have quite the same ring to it.
Despite having a less catchy name, it did more or less the same thing: transfer files wirelessly from one phone to another.
But like AirDrop, Quick Share (and Nearby Share) only work when devices are close to each other.
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Use quick share
To use Quick Share, first make sure your device is updated to the latest software and Wi-Fi is turned on.
Step 1. Make sure that the Quick Share feature is enabled for both phones.
To enable this, open the notification panel, swipe down and tap Share quickly to activate it. It will appear blue when activated.
If the Quick Share icon doesn't appear in your Quick Settings panel, you may need to add it.
Step 2. Launch the Gallery app and select an image.
Press Part and select a device to transfer the image. Accept the file transfer request on the other device.
Step 3. If you're having trouble connecting to another device, swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings. Then hold your finger on the button Share quickly icon.
Press switch next “Show my point of view to others” to let nearby devices see your device when they use Quick Share.
This option only appears if Quick Share is enabled.
The 'Show my position to others' option is only available on certain models.
If you can't find your device, make sure your phone or tablet visibility is turned on.
To enable this setting, go to your Settings > Connections > to turn on Phone visibility.
Important to know: you can only share files with a maximum of five devices at the same time.
It's unclear when every Google Pixel owner will see the rebrand on their device.
Google said the launch would begin in February.
But reports suggest the feature is already appearing on some phones.