It’s no wonder if you are an Android user who wants to use AirDrop to share or receive files. Unfortunately, you can’t use the AirDrop feature on Android devices to share files as it is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem.
Desperate to know the possibilities to help Android users, I tried looking for better AirDrop alternatives. I found Android’s Nearby Share feature equivalent to Apple AirDrop. I have also tried using various third-party applications to serve the same purpose as AirDrop on Android devices. A lot of them worked seamlessly, and I will be sharing the best of them here in this section.
With no further delay, you shall learn how to use Nearby Share, an AirDrop-like feature on Android, to transfer files and the best third-party file transfer alternatives.
How to Share Files on Android using Nearby Share
Similar to AirDrop on iPhone, you can use the Nearby Share feature on your Android devices to share files between Android devices.
Enabling Nearby Share on Android
Like turning on AirDrop, enabling WiFi and Bluetooth on the respective devices is mandatory to access Nearby Share.
1. Launch the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and hit the Google menu.
3. Select the Device and Sharing option.
4. Tap Nearby Share and toggle the button to turn it on.
5. Choose your preferred Device Visibility option: Everyone, Contacts, or Your Devices.
6. You can also set the data usage by selecting the Data option located under Device Visibility.
7. You can select Data, Wi-Fi only, or Without Internet to share files via Nearby Share.
8. Now, you have enabled the Nearby Share option on your Android device.
Sharing Files via Nearby Share
Once you have enabled Nearby Share on your Android device, follow the below steps to share your files on Android devices.
1. Ensure you have enabled WiFi and Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Select any media or file that you wish to share.
3. Tap the Share icon and choose Nearby Share.
4. Select your device from the list of options and wait for the circle to turn green.
5. Finally, the selected file has been shared successfully between Android devices.
How to Use Third-Party Apps to AirDrop on Android
Is your Android device doesn’t have the built-in Nearby Share feature? There are many third-party apps out there to help you transfer your files. We have listed a few AirDrop alternatives to choose from according to your preference.
1. Snapdrop
Snapdrop for Android is known for its safety because it uses WebRTC to encrypt your files during transmission. However, the files are transferred slowly when compared to the above-mentioned apps. This app takes some time when used across different platforms but does what is necessary.
Pros
- Safe & Secure
- Ad-Free
Cons
- Low Speed
- Average Navigation
2. Send Anywhere
Send Anywhere is the AirDrop equivalent of sharing your files on Android. It is very safe and available for many devices. Send Anywhere asks you to enter a six-digit code before transferring your files. You can share up to a file size of 300MB.
Pros
- Safe & Secure
- Ad-free
Cons
- Difficult Navigation
- Average Speed
3. SHAREit
If you are looking for a high-speed application to transfer your data, you must consider SHAREit. The data can be shared with other devices at 20MB/Second speed. It shares files and acts as a video player to stream the content. You can also use the QR code to share the files.
Pros
- Easy Navigation
- Safe & Secure
- High Speed
Cons
- Ads can be intrusive
4. Xender
Xender is another interesting app that allows you to share photos, videos, files, and much more. This application allows you to share your files between devices using different operating systems. Xender also transfers zip files and uses WiFi to undergo the sharing process.
Pros
- High Speed
- Easy Navigation
- Ad-Free
Cons
- Issues regarding privacy
5. Zapya
This application shares similar features to SHAREit and shares files at a speed of 10MB/Second. Zapya allows you to share files of large sizes and different formats. But this app connects to other devices kept within a certain range. You can also use this application on cross-platforms to share your files.
Pros
- High Speed
- Easy Navigation
Cons
- Low Safety
- More Ads
The apps are free to download and listed according to their performance, availability, and interface. So you can choose the best alternative app according to your needs to airdrop files on Android.
FAQ
No, you cannot use AirDrop on Android. Instead of that, you can use Nearby Share to transfer your files.
No, you can’t directly share the files from Android to iPhone using AirDrop. Instead, you can use Snapdrop to share files between Android and iPhone devices with ease.