Nearby Share for Windows officially released: What’s new?

Google has officially released the much-anticipated Nearby Share for Windows app, following its beta launch in March 2023. The app is available as an app download on PCs around the world.

Nearby Share lets you quickly send and receive photos, documents and more between nearby Android devices and Windows desktops and laptops. You will need to download and install the app. Once it's done, make sure it's visible to your Android device to share and receive content effortlessly.

Concerned about security?

Concerns about security and privacy are crucial when it comes to file-sharing apps. To address these concerns, Google has implemented several security features in Nearby Share for Windows.

• When receiving a file, the app always prompts you to confirm the transfer, ensuring that you have full control over the content that enters your device.
• You can also manage and specify who can discover their device and share content with them.
• Data transmitted through Nearby Share is also safeguarded by End-to-End (E2E) encryption, ensuring that files are securely transmitted between devices without being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.

"Today marks the official launch of Nearby Share with Windows, offering improved performance and new functionality that can make it even easier for you to share content and stay productive," Google wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.

Google is also adding new product improvements to the Nearby Share for Windows app. For instance, when you're sending large files like videos or entire folders, you will be able to see the estimated time the files will take to be transferred. Secondly, an image preview within device notifications will help you confirm that the correct file is being shared. Google said that more functionalities will be added in the future.

The tech giant is also working with partners like HP to include the Nearby Share app on select Windows PCs, such as the HP Dragonfly Pro.