When it comes to file sharing from smartphones, Apple's AirDrop feature has made things easier for iPhone users. Compared to Google's link-based cloud storage, it takes only seconds to "drop" a photo from an iPhone to a MacBook.

Fortunately, this is about to change with the advent of Google's answer to AirDrop for Android users: Nearby Share. The search giant has been working on its own AirDrop-like feature for some time, and yesterday (August 4) it began its official rollout.

Nearby Share will first be rolled out to select Pixel and Samsung devices, and Google promised to work with other Android phone manufacturers to bring Nearby Share to "more smartphones in the Android ecosystem over the next few weeks." At Samsung's Unpacked event, Samsung confirmed that both the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will support Nearby Share when they arrive on August 21.

When Nearby Share arrives on your phone, you will be able to toggle Nearby Share from the Quick Settings menu by sliding the notification menu bar down. You can turn on the ability to accept transfers from others this way, including images, links, videos, and various other file types. The idea is to send data quickly, unlike AirDrop, which is a very fast way to send data.

Once Nearby Share is activated, the option "Turn on Nearby Share" can be selected. You can also change who sees this information in the "Device Visibility" settings so that only your contacts have access to your device.

Using "Share Nearby," items that you would normally send via email or text will appear as one of the default sharing options. Should you look for an option labeled as such, your device will scan for "nearby devices," then select a contact and go.

If you are waiting to receive a file, you will receive a notification to show yourself. You will first see a list of file names and you will need to accept the transfer. Once you accept the file, the transfer will begin and the file will open automatically. You can choose to open the file from the download folder or change the path where you want to save the shared material.

Both users must have Bluetooth and their location enabled, and data, Wi-Fi only or without Internet via Bluetooth protocol, will be transmitted.

However, Nearby Share has some caveats. The feature only works with devices up to a foot away from each other, as opposed to AirDrop, which can move files and photos up to 30 feet away. Also, AirDrop on iOS already supports transfers to Macs. Currently, Nearby Share has no way to move shared content to a computer, but Google has announced that the feature will be available on Chromebooks "in the coming months" for two-way transfers. However, the only platform on which this feature will be available is Chrome OS.

This is not Google's first rodeo to attempt to rival AirDrop in terms of functionality: nearly a decade ago, in 2011, Android Beam was included in Android Ice Cream Sandwich to exchange content before it was removed by Android 10 provided a way; Beam not only required NFC to complete the transfer, but also required users to tap their devices together.

For those interested in trying Nearby Share, it will be available in Android 6.0 and later.