How to Use Nearby Share on a Chromebook

What is Nearby Share on a Chromebook

Nearby Share is ChromeOS's built-in feature for sending files between a Chromebook and nearby Android devices, or between two Chromebooks. It uses Bluetooth to discover devices and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to transfer the data, so both radios should be turned on. It is similar to AirDrop on a Mac, but for the Android and ChromeOS ecosystem.

You do not need to install anything. Nearby Share is part of ChromeOS and appears in the Quick Settings panel and in the system Share menu. It works with most Android phones that have Google Play services, including recent Samsung, Pixel, and other Android devices. If your phone runs an older version of Android, you can still use Nearby Share through the Google Files app.

Turn on Nearby Share on your Chromebook

On your Chromebook, open the Quick Settings panel by selecting the time in the bottom-right corner. Look for the Nearby Share icon. If you do not see it there, select the pencil icon to edit the Quick Settings tiles and drag Nearby Share into the visible area.

If you prefer the full settings menu: open Settings, then select Connected devices, then Nearby Share. From here you can toggle the feature on or off and change your device name. ChromeOS keeps Nearby Share off by default for privacy, so you need to turn it on the first time you want to use it.

• Open Quick Settings by selecting the time in the bottom-right corner.
• Select the Nearby Share icon to turn it on.
• Or open Settings, select Connected devices, then Nearby Share.
• Set your device visibility to your preference.

Choose who can see your Chromebook

You control who can discover your Chromebook and send you files. In the Nearby Share settings, you can pick one of three visibility options. "Your devices" only shows your Chromebook to devices signed in to the same Google Account. "Contacts" shows it to people in your Google Contacts. "Everyone" lets any nearby device see it, which is useful for a quick transfer but less private.

The visibility setting only controls who can send files to you. You can always send files to other people, regardless of their visibility, as long as they have the feature on and their device appears in the list. For a one-time transfer with a stranger, you can both set visibility to "Everyone" and then switch it back afterwards.

Send files from a Chromebook to Android

To send a file, open the Files app and locate the file you want to share. Select the file, then either right-click and choose "Share" or use the three-dot menu at the top of the window. In the Share sheet that opens, choose Nearby Share. You will see a list of nearby devices that are available to receive. Select the target device and the transfer begins.

You can also share content from the browser. Highlight a link, image, or text on a webpage, right-click, and select "Share" to open the same Share sheet. This works with text snippets, images, and URLs. The receiving device will show a prompt where the recipient needs to accept the incoming file, unless you have set up the device for automatic acceptance.

If you are sending to your own Android phone, you can have it accept transfers automatically. On the phone, open the Nearby Share settings and turn on "Automatically receive files from your devices." This avoids having to tap "Accept" on the phone every time, which is convenient when moving several files at once.

Receive files on a Chromebook

When someone sends a file to your Chromebook, a notification appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you accept it, the file downloads to your Downloads folder by default. Open the Files app to find it under "My files" and then "Downloads." You can also change the default folder in the Nearby Share settings.

For incoming files to appear, your Chromebook needs to have Nearby Share turned on and the visibility set to a level that includes the sender. If you are at work or school, your administrator may have disabled Nearby Share or set it to a specific visibility. In that case you can still send files, but you might not be able to receive them from personal devices.

Fix common Nearby Share problems

If your Chromebook cannot find a nearby Android device, check that both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. Nearby Share uses both radios, so turning off either one prevents discovery. Also confirm that the other device is not in "Hidden" mode. Some Android phones have their own visibility toggle inside the Nearby Share settings, separate from the Chromebook's setting.

If transfers are slow or fail, move the devices closer together and remove any physical obstacles. Also check that the Chromebook has the latest version of ChromeOS. It is not necessary, but updating to the latest version can help with compatibility. If the feature still does not work, restart both the Chromebook and the phone.

For managed Chromebooks, your administrator can control whether Nearby Share is available. If the feature is grayed out or missing from Settings, contact your IT department. For your own device, you can always check the ChromeOS version and update it by going to Settings, then About ChromeOS.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does Nearby Share work between two Chromebooks?

Yes. Nearby Share works between Chromebooks as well as between a Chromebook and an Android phone. You can send files from one Chromebook to another using the same Share sheet.

Do I need a Google Account to use Nearby Share?

You need a Google Account to turn on Nearby Share on your Chromebook. The sender and receiver both need to be signed in to a Google Account, though they do not have to be the same account.

How close do the devices need to be?

Nearby Share works best when the devices are within about 30 feet of each other. The range depends on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi hardware in both the Chromebook and the Android phone.

Can I send folders with Nearby Share?

In the Files app, you can share a folder. The receiving device will get it as a single compressed file. You can also select multiple files at once and share them together.

Is Nearby Share secure?

Nearby Share uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create a peer-to-peer connection. The transfer is encrypted, and you can control who can see your device. You can also turn off the feature entirely when you do not need it.