If you’re like most people, you probably have a phone that can be used to share photos and videos with others. But what if you want to share something even closer to your heart? You could try using a Nearby Share Device, which is a type of Bluetooth device that lets you share content with others without having to leave your phone. Here’s how to make your Nearby Share Device visible on Android:
- First, find the Nearby Share Device in your phone’s settings. If it’s not there, go to “Settings” and select “Bluetooth.”
- Once you’ve found the Nearby Share Device, open it up and connect it to your phone.
- Once the device is connected, open up the “NearbyShareDevice” app and click on the “Share” button. This will start sharing content with other nearby devices.
- If you want to stop sharing content or change some of the settings, just click on the “Stop Sharing” button or hit the “X” key on your keyboard when it’s done sharing content with other devices.
Nearby Share is Android’s version of Apple’s AirDrop. It’s a universal method for sharing links, photos, and files between devices. Here’s how to control who can see and send things to your device.
Nearby Share is compatible with all Android 6.0+ devices, starting with Google Pixel and Samsung devices. Be sure to read our guide on setting up and using Nearby Share before diving into the device visibility controls, though.
RELATED: AirDrop for Android: How to Use Android Nearby Share
To get started, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear icon to open the “Settings” menu on your Android phone. Alternatively, you can open the app drawer from the Home screen and open “Settings.”
Here, tap “Google.”
Scroll down and tap “Device connections.”
Select “Nearby Share” from the list.
To decide who can see your Android device, tap “Device Visibility.”
These options only adjust who can see your device, not the devices you can see. There are three visibility options:
“All Contacts”: All of your contacts with Nearby Share will be able to see your device. “Some Contacts”: You choose which contacts will be able to see your device. “Hidden”: No one can see your device.
If you select “All Contacts” or “Hidden,” no further setup is required—you’ll simply be visible to everyone or no one.
If you select “Some Contacts,” you decide who will be able to see your device. The “Recommendations” section will list people you contact frequently. Below that, you’ll see your full list of contacts; scroll through and toggle-On the switch next to anyone you want to see your device.
When you’ve finished selecting contacts, tap the Back arrow at the top left to finish.
That’s it! You can adjust these settings any time by tapping your profile picture in “Nearby Share.”
