If you’ve ever used an iPhone, you probably loved AirDrop — it’s super easy to send photos, videos, and files to nearby Apple devices without any cables or apps. But what if you have an Android phone? Can you use something like AirDrop? The answer is yes — and it’s easier than you think!
While Android phones don’t have a feature called “AirDrop,” they do have similar options that work just as well. One of the best built-in alternatives is Nearby Share, which is available on most Android devices running Android 6.0 or later.
How to Use Nearby Share on Android
- Turn on Nearby Share:
Go to Settings > Google > Device Connections > Nearby Share. Turn it on. - Choose Visibility:
Set your device to be visible to everyone, contacts only, or hidden (for privacy). - Share Files:
Just tap the share icon on a photo or file, then choose Nearby Share. Your Android will search for nearby devices. - Accept the File:
The other device will get a pop-up to accept the file — and boom, it’s done!
Can You Share Between iPhone and Android?
Unfortunately, AirDrop only works with Apple devices. But you can still send files between iPhone and Android using apps like Snapdrop, SHAREit, or Send Anywhere. These apps use Wi-Fi or mobile data to transfer files easily between different platforms.
Final Thoughts
Even though you can’t use AirDrop on Android directly, you have solid alternatives that work just as well. Whether you’re using Nearby Share or a third-party app, sharing files between phones is now super simple — no cables needed.