Wondering if you can Nearby Share from Android to iPhone to share some photos or files from one phone to another? Wonder no more, as this article will discuss how to Nearby Share files from Android to iPhone across operating systems and also recommend some effective alternative methods to Nearby Share.
Today, the need for seamless and efficient file-sharing between different devices is more prevalent than ever. According to recent studies, over 50% of smartphone users encounter difficulties when sharing files between Android and iPhone devices.
In this article, we will explore whether Nearby Share can share files from Android to iPhone to bridge the gap between Android and iPhone users, as well as provide an overview of the top three alternatives to transfer data from Android to iPhone.
Nearby Share allows users to share any file from one device with another one nearby. It helps them share videos, images, or anything worth sharing with their surrounding users. Let's see the detailed information about Nearby Share.
Introduced by Google in August 2020, Nearby Share was designed to transfer files between devices wirelessly with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi/Internet required. This innovative feature was not limited to just Android devices but also extended to ChromeOS computers and Windows PC, enabling seamless sharing across different platforms. However, its journey took a new turn in 2024, when it was integrated into Samsung's Quick Share (also a wireless data transfer utility app).
You can use Nearby Share to share a variety of files and content types between Android devices. Most common files and content types are supported by NearbyShare, including:
| Photos and videos | share your favorite photos and videos with friends or family members nearby |
| Music and audio files | music tracks, podcasts, or audio recordings |
| Apps | share apps with your friends without downloading them from the Play Store |
| Contacts | share contact information with others seamlessly |
| Files | ZIP files, APK files, or any other file stored on your device |
| Documents | PDFs, Word files, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations |
| Location | your current location or a specific location |
| Links | URLs or links to websites, articles, or videos |
Here's how to use Nearby/Quick Share on Android or Samsung:
Step 1. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Nearby/Quick Share, and toggle the switch to enable Nearby Share on both devices.
Step 2. Open the file or content that you want to share and tap "Share."
Step 3. Select Nearby Share from the pop-up options. Your device will start searching for nearby devices.
Step 4. Then tap the receiving device and start to transfer files from one device to another via Nearby Share.
📝Note: Both devices need to be within close proximity and have Bluetooth and Location turned on for Nearby Share to work.
No. Nearby Share is a feature developed by Google specifically for Android devices. Nearby Share can't orgonaze iOS devices, on the other hand, iPhones do not have the ability to recognize incoming files from Android devices via Nearby Share. Thus, you cannot Nearby Share Android to iPhone.
Technically, Nearby Share worked much like Apple's AirDrop. Nearby Share is to Android, what AirDrop is to iOS. You can share files from Android to Android using Nearby Share, but it's not possible to Nearby Share Android to iPhone.
While Nearby Share offers a convenient way to share files between Android devices, it is not compatible with iPhones due to the differences in operating systems and protocols.
Let's forget the iOS-incompatible Nearby Share and explore some really helpful utilities to transfer photos from Android to iPhone or share files between Android and iPhone seamlessly. So, let's dive right into it and show you some of the best ways to Nearby Share Android to iPhone.
Now that you know there is no way to wirelessly send files from Android to iPhone via Nearby Share let's show you the ways that allow you to do so. There are quite a few apps, programs, and tactics that claim to do it effortlessly. Without further ado, let's show you the best alternatives to Nearby Share:
If you're a PC or Mac user, then there's nothing better than using EaseUS MobiMover. It allows you to send files between your Android and iPhone pretty quickly. All you need to do is connect one or both devices to your PC and open the program to transfer files from one phone to another phone easily.
What Nearby Share can transfer, MobiMover can transfer as well, and more, mainly including photos videos, contacts, music, any audio files, and other content from Android or iPhone device. What's more, it enables you to transfer files of multiple types simutaneously at once without no more actions. Compared to Nearby Share, MobiMover requires no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or internet. Instead, it entails a computer and USB cables to connect your devices to the computer.
As for device support, it is available for Samsung, Motorola, iPhone, iPad and other Android phones, which fixes the problem of incompatibility between operating systems. You can download the software on your Windows PC or Mac computer, both of which are supported.⬇️
Here's how you can use it to share multiple files from Android to iPhone or from iPhone to Android:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiMover, choose Phone to Phone transfer mode, and connect your mobile devices to your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to trust this computer and enable USB debugging on your Android phone. Switch your Android phone as the source device and your iPhone as the destination.
Step 2. Click Next, and EaseUS MobiMover will be downloaded to your Android. Follow the guide to turn off Find My iPhone via Settings. (You need to set MobiMover as your default SMS app temporarily when it is asked, but this software will guide you to set it back to Messages after the transfer.)
Step 3. Select the files you want to transfer, and from the lower right, you can see whether you have enough space to store the transferred files.
Step 4. Click Transfer to start the data transfer process from Android to iPhone. Keep your devices connected until the whole process ends.
SHAREit is one of the leading third-party apps that allows users to send files from Android to iOS. It has excellent features which enable Android users to connect with iPhone users and send or receive files. Some of the key features in this tool include:
Thus, it's one of the top apps you can use to send files from Android to iPhone today. Here's how you can use it:
Step 1. Download the SHAREit app on both iOS and Android devices.
Step 2. Launch the app on Android/iPhone. Select the "SHAREit" option from the main screen.
Step 3. On the next screen, tap the "Send" or "Receive if you're using the iPhone.
Step 4. Now select the file, app, etc., and press the "Send" button.
Once done, you shall be able to see the transferred files from Android on the iPhone.
Send Anywhere is another online platform and app that allows users to send files between two devices. Besides iPhones and Androids, it also works for PC and Mac users. You can either send the file via a unique QR Code or a 6-digit key.
Otherwise, you can also choose to send them via a specialized link to designated users. Here's how you can use it:
Step 1. Launch the Send Anywhere app on your Android device. Keep it open on iOS devices as well.
Step 2. Now, go through your files and select the files you wish to send. In this case, it's Photos.
Step 3. Once you select the files, press the "Send" button. And wait for the 6-digit key to generate.
Step 4. Open Send Anywhere on your iPhone and enter the 6-digit key to download selected files.
Once done, the user on the other side should be able to download using the 6-digit code or shared link.
The "Nearby Share" feature is always turned on, which can cause trouble for some Android users. They may want to disable Nearby Share to save some battery charge. Sometimes Nearby Share also can accidentally trigger when you don't want to share data. Users may therefore want to turn off the feature, ensuring data privacy and security.
Moreover, if you're getting nagged by incoming files, you also should turn off the Nearby Share feature on your device. This will prevent any future instances of the device receiving unsolicited files. Here's how you can turn off the Nearby Share option on either Samsung or other Android phones:
Step 1. Head into your phone Settings app. Then, find the "Google" option, which should be under "Accounts" for most users.
Step 2. Now head into the "All Services" tab and enter the "Devices & sharing* settings.
Step 3. From the options, pick the "Devices" tab, and then turn off "Scan for nearby devices."
Once done, you shall not be able to send or receive files via Nearby Share. So, make sure you turn the same option on if you wish to use Nearby Share again.
This post clarifies that Nearby Share from Android to iPhone is not possible. But meanwhile, three best alternatives for Nearby Share Android to iPhone are recommended. Using these methods, you can easily send files from one Android device to another iPhone. While there were a few more options, we found these to be the most convenient.
However, if you have a computer, then there's no option better than EaseUS MobiMover. It allows you to copy all the files you need from an Android/iPhone to your PC or Mac. Then, you can copy those files to another Android/iPhone in a few clicks.
These are some frequently asked questions related to Nearby Share Android to iPhone:
No, you cannot AirDrop from Android to iPhone or vice versa. AirDrop is an Apple exclusive and available only on iOS or MacOS devices. However, there are alternatives like the AirDroid sharing app for both iPhone and Android.
Yes, Android users can be added to a family circle in the Family Sharing feature on iPhones. It will allow them to access purchased apps, games, etc. However, they won't be able to use some of the iPhone-exclusive features.
Yes, Quick Share is only for Android devices, particularly for Samsung devices. While it supports other Android devices, some of the propriety features are only available when used from Samsung to Samsung.
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