- To share files between Android and Windows 11 (or 10), install and open “Quick Share” and choose “Receive from everyone.” On Android, open “Quick Share” and set it to “Everyone.” On Windows, select the images using the app, choose the Android device to transfer the file, and accept.
- You can also use “Quick Share” to transfer files between Windows devices.
On Android, you can share files easily through a wireless connection with the Quick Share from Google (formerly Nearby Share) support available for Windows 11 (and 10) devices.
Although you can upload your files to a cloud storage service (such as OneDrive and Google One) and then access the contents with the same services from your computer, Google offers the “Quick Share” app that makes sharing files between Android and Windows devices a little easier. You can even use the same app to share files with your friends and family (as long as the devices are nearby).
Once you install the app on your computer, it’ll run in the background, allowing you to quickly send or receive files from nearby Android devices. Sending a file from your computer is as simple as dragging and dropping the file to the “Quick Share” interface or using the “Send with Quick Share” option available through the File Explorer context menu.
If both devices are signed in with the same Google account, the transfer will happen automatically (you still have to accept the first transfer), even if the screen is off. However, both devices need to be unlocked for the transfer to happen.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to set up Google’s Quick Share to share files between Android and Windows 11. The feature is also supported on Windows 10. You can now use the “Manage Devices” feature to access your Android phone files from File Explorer.
Quick Share files between Android and Windows 11
Before you can share files wirelessly between Android and Windows devices, you must install the Google Quick Share app on Windows and ensure that both devices have Bluetooth enabled.
Set up Quick Share on Windows 11
To set up the Quick Share app on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:
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Click the “Download Quick Share” button to download the app on your computer.
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Double-click the BetterTogetherSetup.exe file to install the Quick Share app.
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Click the “Use without an account” option or the sign-in button to authenticate with your Google account.
Quick tip: Although it’s easier to use the feature without an account if you sign in with a Google account, you can make file sharing more secure by choosing the devices and people you want to share files with. -
Confirm a descriptive name to identify the Windows computer when sharing files in the “Visible to others as” setting.
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(Optional) Turn off the send usage and diagnostic data to Google option.
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Click the Done button.
Once you complete the steps, you can share files from Android to Windows 11 (or 10) or vice versa.
It’s important to note that you must have “Do not disturb” off. If it’s turned on, open “Notifications” (Windows key + N) and toggle the option off from the top right.
After the app is configured, you can also change the sharing settings from the main interface.
Share files between Android and Windows 11
The instructions below will show you the steps to send files between both platforms.
From Windows to Android
To share files from Windows 11 to Android, use these steps:
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Open the Quick Share from Google app.
Quick note: You will find the app in the Start menu or System Tray if it’s already running on your computer. -
Choose the “Receive from everyone” option from the left pane.
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On your Android phone, open the Quick Share app.
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Choose the Everyone option.
Quick note: Check the “Only for 10 minutes” option if you want to share only a file and then revoke the sharing permissions to your phone. -
Click the Done button.
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On Windows 11, click the Select option in the app.
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Choose the files to share with your Android device.
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Click the Open button.
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Select the Android device on the right side.
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On your Android phone, click the Accept button (if applicable).
Once you complete the steps, the files will be transferred to your Android phone.
Alternatively, you can also right-click the file in File Explorer and select the “Send with Nearby Share” option from the context menu.
From Android to Windows
To share files from Android to Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:
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Open the app with the files to share – for example, Photos.
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Choose the images and click the Share button.
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Click the Quick Share button.
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Select the Windows 11 computer on your Android phone.
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On Windows 11, click the Accept button to transfer the file (if applicable).
After you complete the steps, the Windows 11 device will receive the files. Since the transfer happens through Bluetooth, it might take a while.
I have tested Quick Share, and it also works to share files between Windows computers, not just with Android devices, so this is another alternative for file sharing on Windows 11 (and 10).
Update August 16, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process, including the name change from “Nearby Share” to “Quick Share.”
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].