Quick Share sends files to nearby compatible devices, including Android phones, Chromebooks, and supported Windows PCs. For a direct nearby transfer, Bluetooth finds the recipient and local Wi-Fi moves the files, so neither mobile data nor an internet connection is required. If the recipient uses an Apple device, choose between AirDrop interoperability on supported Android models and a separate QR download route that does require internet.
Get ready to send
Quick Share works on Android 6 and later. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices. The person receiving a file should keep their screen unlocked and, on Android, open Quick Share in Receive mode so the sender can find the device.
A Chromebook supports Quick Share natively. Windows requires the app that matches the PC: Google’s app is for non-Samsung PCs, while Samsung provides a separate app for Galaxy Book PCs.
Send a file between Android devices
- On the receiving phone, open Quick Share and choose Receive. This makes the device discoverable while the Receive screen is open.
- On the sending phone, open the file and tap Share. Quick Share is available from Android’s sharing options.
- Choose Quick Share. The phone searches for nearby recipients over Bluetooth.
- Select the receiving device. The recipient’s name appears when the device is discoverable.
- Ask the recipient to review the request and tap Accept. The request identifies the sender and the content being offered; the recipient can accept or decline.
After acceptance, look in the Android Files app under Downloads > Quick Share to find received content.
Choose the route for the recipient
| Recipient | Route | Internet for the transfer | Requirements and route-specific limits |
| Android phone or Chromebook | Direct nearby Quick Share | No | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be on. Google says nearby Quick Share has no fixed file-size or file-count limit, though the app supplying the files may impose one. |
| Non-Samsung Windows PC | Google Quick Share for Windows | No for a direct nearby transfer | Requires 64-bit Windows 10 or later, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Google directs Samsung PC users to Samsung’s app. |
| Samsung Galaxy Book PC | Samsung Quick Share for Windows | No for a direct nearby transfer | Samsung’s listing specifies Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, Intel Bluetooth driver 22.50.02 or later, and Intel Wi-Fi driver 22.50.07 or later. It lists Galaxy Books, including Qualcomm-product PCs released in 2020 or later. |
| Apple device without AirDrop interoperability | QR code and download | Yes, on both devices | Up to 1,000 files per session and 10 GB per 24 hours. Files remain available to download for 24 hours. |
For a Chromebook, select the files, make the Chromebook visible, choose it as the recipient, and accept the incoming request. For Windows, install the relevant app before sending. The two Windows apps have different system requirements, so a Galaxy Book should use Samsung Quick Share rather than Google’s app for non-Samsung PCs.
Google says direct nearby sharing has no fixed Quick Share file-count or file-size ceiling; the app you use to select or share content can still set its own limit. Sending to several recipients at once is supported on selected device models. On other models, transfers to additional recipients queue.
Send to an Apple device
Google says Quick Share can connect to AirDrop on a Pixel 8a or later and certain devices from Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, Transsion, and Motorola. The word “certain” matters: compatibility does not extend automatically to every model from those manufacturers. For this route, the Apple recipient sets AirDrop visibility to Everyone for 10 minutes, then accepts the incoming transfer.
If the Android phone and Apple device do not support that connection, use Quick Share’s QR code and download option. Both devices need internet access. Google says the files are end-to-end encrypted, uploaded to Google’s servers for download, and not stored in personal Google Drive. Mobile data charges may apply when a device is not using Wi-Fi. The QR route also allows up to 20 Apple-device recipients at a time.
Control who can send to your phone
Quick Share visibility options include Your devices, Contacts, and Everyone for 10 minutes. The temporary Everyone setting returns to the previous visibility choice when the 10-minute period ends. Incoming Android requests show who is sending and what they want to share, and you choose whether to accept.
If the recipient does not appear
Check that the receiving Android phone is in Receive mode, its screen is unlocked, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on for both devices. Google recommends bringing devices within 30 cm while troubleshooting. This is a troubleshooting step, not a universal maximum range.
If the recipient is still missing, toggle Airplane mode, wait for another transfer to finish, or restart the devices. On Android 12 or earlier, check that Location is enabled. A completed Android transfer appears in Files > Downloads > Quick Share.
