How to share apps with other Android devices nearby using Google Play

In its goal of being able to offer the alternative to Apple's Airdrop system, Google continues to improve the Near Share tool aimed at sharing documents and information between Android devices without the need for cables of any kind. As a latest development, the company has introduced the possibility of share applications with nearby devices.

This function is integrated directly into the Google Play app store and thanks to it it is possible quickly send applications to other people's cell phones. Today we explain how you can use this feature to share your apps, or receive those of other people.




How to share apps with other Android devices nearby using Google Play

Sharing Nearby lets you send apps to other nearby devices.

Send or receive Nearby Sharing apps via Google Play

First of all, it is necessary to remember that the Near Share application sharing function was introduced in the version 24.0 of the Google Play Store. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the steps to download the latest version available from the Google Play Store.

Once you have a version equal to or greater than the one indicated, these are the steps to follow to share the applications:

  1. Open Google Play and tap the icon with three parallel lines in the upper left corner.
  2. In the menu, tap the "My apps and games" option.
  3. Go to the «Share» tab.
  4. Depending on what you want to do, tap the "Send" or "Receive" button.
  5. To send one or more apps, simply select them and then tap the "Send" button in the top right corner.
  6. Finally, choose the device you want to share your apps with and make sure the pairing code matches that of the other person. Note that the recipient must have followed the same steps, but by tapping the «Receive» button from step number 4.

How to share apps with other Android devices nearby using Google Play




That's all. At the end of the process, the applications will have been submitted and the recipient just needs to tap "Install" to use them.



It is worth mentioning that not all applications can be shared using this tool. Those that are not publicly available in the Play Store and that have been installed at the moment via its APK file, or those that have been purchased, DON'T can be sent to other devices.


On the other hand, it is convenient to indicate that this process does not consume mobile data and that the process can be canceled at any time. Also, once the delivery of the application is finished, it is possible log out of the other device easily from a button in the Nearby Sharing tool on Google Play.

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