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Nearby Share is now called Quick Share. To transfer files between an Android phone and a Windows 11 PC, install Quick Share for Windows, enable Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, make the PC visible, then approve the transfer. The same app supports sending in either direction.
Nearby Share is now Quick Share
Google renamed Nearby Share to Quick Share. Older Android menus and tutorials may still use “Nearby Share,” but the current Windows download and most current Android interfaces say Quick Share. It is the same Google-originated sharing experience, not a separate transfer system.
Do not confuse it with Windows 11’s built-in Nearby sharing, which is primarily for Windows-to-Windows transfers.
Check compatibility first
- A 64-bit Windows 10 or newer installation; Windows 11 is supported. ARM-based PCs require Windows 11 or later.
- Android 6.0 or newer.
- Wi‑Fi enabled on both devices and Bluetooth enabled on both.
- Keep the devices within about 16 feet (5 meters); move them within 1 foot (30 centimeters) while troubleshooting.
- The Quick Share Windows app must be installed and running.
- Use a standard Windows user account. Do not launch Google’s app as administrator.
Samsung PCs are the exception: install Samsung Quick Share from the Microsoft Store rather than Google’s Windows application. Samsung phones can use Quick Share normally, but a Samsung laptop and a non-Samsung laptop do not use the same Windows installer.
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Install and configure Quick Share on Windows 11
- Download the installer only from Google’s official Quick Share page. Samsung PC owners should follow the Microsoft Store link for Samsung’s app.
- Install and open Quick Share normally.
- Sign in with a Google Account if you want every setting and the Your devices visibility option. Basic transfers can work without signing in.
- Choose the name shown to nearby devices.
- Open Settings and select Device visibility.
Choose the narrowest setting that fits your situation:
| Setting | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Your devices | Your phone and PC use the same Google Account. |
| Contacts | You are sharing with known people in your contacts. |
| Everyone | A temporary transfer with someone nearby; switch it back afterward. |
| No one | You want to disable discovery and incoming requests. |
Incoming transfers still require approval. Google says Quick Share transfers are end-to-end encrypted, but you should decline unexpected requests and treat received files as untrusted like any other download.
Send files from Android to Windows 11
- Unlock the phone and open the photo, video, document, webpage, or other item.
- Tap Share, then choose Quick Share. Menu names vary by Pixel, Galaxy, Motorola, and other Android brands; you can also search Settings or Quick Settings for Quick Share.
- Wait for the PC name to appear and tap it.
- Approve the request in Windows. If a PIN appears, confirm that it matches on both screens.
- Wait for completion, then open the file from the Windows notification or Quick Share’s received-files area.
If Windows does not open the item automatically, check the Quick Share app’s configured destination and its received-files list.
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Send files from Windows 11 to Android
- Open Quick Share on the PC.
- Drag files into the window, or choose Select files or Select folders.
- Choose the Android device.
- Verify the PIN if requested, then accept the request on the phone.
- Open the result from the Android notification or the Files app. Depending on the phone, it may be in Downloads or an OEM-specific received-files folder.
For one file, File Explorer may offer Right-click > Send with Quick Share. Drag-and-drop can fail if the app was started as administrator, so reopen it normally if necessary.
Folders, links, and text
The Windows app can select folders. Android’s share sheet is more app-dependent: if it cannot share a folder directly, select its contents or create a ZIP file first. Webpages and other shareable content can use the Android share sheet. Some Android 13-and-newer devices can share clipboard content, but support varies by device and app.
When Quick Share cannot find a device
Follow this order rather than changing every setting at once:
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- Open Quick Share on Windows and ensure visibility is not No one. Temporarily choose Everyone for testing.
- Turn Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth off and on at both ends. Unlock the phone.
- Bring the devices within 30 centimeters and retry.
- Close and reopen Quick Share; cycle Airplane mode, then restart both devices.
- Update Windows, Android, Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth drivers, and Google or Samsung system components.
- If the PC is on office, school, hotel, or guest Wi‑Fi, connect the PC to the phone’s hotspot and retry. Networks can block device-to-device traffic even when both devices show the same network name.
- On a Samsung PC, remove the Google app and use Samsung Quick Share from the Microsoft Store.
Traditional Bluetooth pairing is not universally required. Bluetooth must be enabled, but the Quick Share app handles discovery and the transfer workflow. Pairing can be a diagnostic experiment if a particular device still refuses to appear.
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The request arrives but no notification appears
Check Windows notifications, turn off Focus Assist or Do not disturb, and allow notifications from apps and other senders. Open Quick Share directly instead of relying only on the tray notification.
The transfer is slow
Move the devices closer, keep them awake, avoid restricted or congested networks, and test one small file first. For a large batch, compare the result with a USB data cable; there is no universal Quick Share speed because hardware, drivers, interference, file size, and network conditions differ.
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The transfer stops or fails
Check free storage on the receiving device, retry with a smaller file, avoid changing networks during the transfer, and keep Quick Share open. Security software or a managed Windows policy may block the app. Restart both devices before escalating to USB.
“Device not supported” appears
Confirm the 64-bit installer, Android 6 or newer, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, proximity, and the correct Samsung-versus-Google Windows app. Availability can also vary by country; Google currently lists the United States and most countries, with Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria excluded.
Quick Share versus other transfer methods
| Method | Best choice when | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Share | You want convenient wireless transfers between nearby devices. | Discovery depends on radios, drivers, permissions, and network behavior. |
| USB-C data cable | You need predictable access, large batches, or a fallback. | Requires a cable that supports data; on Android, unlock the phone, tap the USB notification, and choose File transfer. |
| Cloud storage | You need remote access, backup, or sharing with someone far away. | Requires upload time, internet access, and available account storage. |
| Phone Link | You also want calls, texts, notifications, and broader phone integration. | Feature support varies by phone and it is not simply a file-transfer client. |
Quick Share is a nearby-transfer tool, not automatic synchronization, remote access, or a backup service. For urgent or very large transfers, a reputable USB-C cable with explicit data support (preferably USB 3.x) is often the more dependable choice.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Quick Share free?
Yes. Google’s Windows app has no required subscription. A Google Account is optional for basic use.
Do both devices have to be on the same Wi‑Fi network?
No absolute same-network rule applies, but Wi‑Fi or Ethernet must be available and network isolation can prevent discovery. Google recommends using the phone’s hotspot when the current network blocks device-to-device communication.
Does Quick Share work with Samsung phones?
Yes. Samsung phones support Quick Share. Samsung PCs should use Samsung’s separate Microsoft Store application.
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Yes for basic transfers, although signing in enables all Windows options and makes Your devices useful.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Install the correct Quick Share app, enable Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, set visibility deliberately, and approve transfers on the receiving device. Use USB for maximum reliability and cloud storage when the devices are not together.
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