6 Solutions to Fix Nearby Share not Working on Android [2023]

Nearby Share is a wireless transfer feature for Android devices introduced by Google a few years ago. It enables sharing of files between Android devices running Android 6 or higher, much like Apple's Airdrop feature for iPhones. 

However, users sometimes encounter issues with Nearby Share not working. 

This guide provides solutions and troubleshooting tips to fix the problem in six ways.

1. Check your Android Version:

Nearby Share works only on Android devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and above. Check the Android version on your device by navigating to Settings > About. Ensure that the number under the Android version is 6 or higher.

2. Turn On and Off Airplane Mode: 

This resets network settings such as Bluetooth, cellular, WLAN, and GPS, which can help fix connectivity issues. 

Turn on Airplane Mode on your Android device by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode. 

Alternatively, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings menu and tap the Airplane Mode icon.

3. Enable Nearby Share on Both Devices: 

Ensure that Nearby Share is enabled on both devices on that you want to share files. To enable Nearby Share on your Android device, go to Settings > Google > Device Connections > Nearby Share. Flip the switch next to Nearby Share to enable it. 

Also, enable Nearby Share receiving by going to Settings > Device Connections > Nearby Share > Device Visibility and selecting an option.

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4. Enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Location on Both Devices: 

Nearby Share uses native connectivity options such as Bluetooth, NFC, WebRTC, or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to connect and transfer files. Ensure that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Location are enabled on both devices.

You can enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Location on your Android device by navigating to:

Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, 

Settings > Bluetooth, 

and Settings > Location, respectively.

5. Update Google Play Services: 

Google Play Services is responsible for managing app updates and providing crucial features such as push notifications and device authentication. 

Make sure you have the latest version of Google Play Services installed on your device by going to Google Play Store > My apps & games > Updates.

6. Restart, Clear Cache, and Reset Network Settings: 

Sometimes, restarting your device, clearing the cache of the Nearby Share app, or resetting network settings can fix issues with Nearby Share. 

To clear the cache, go to Settings > Apps > Nearby Share > Storage > Clear Cache. 

To reset network settings, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

In conclusion, these are the troubleshooting tips and solutions to fix issues with Nearby Share on Android devices. Follow the steps carefully to ensure successful file sharing between devices.

Also, let us know in the comments which method worked for you.