Google’s Quick Share, which was once known as Nearby Share, used to be a bit of a hit or miss when it came to transferring files. Sometimes it was quick, and other times it was slow. But now, after rebranding to Quick Share, things are looking up. Google has now added a new trick inspired by Samsung to make it even better.
Android’s Quick Share Now Uses the Internet for File Transfer
In February 2025, Google rolled out an update for Google Play Services, version 25.04, part of the first Google Play System update for the month. This update includes a new feature for Quick Share: if you’re transferring a file and your local Wi-Fi connection fails, Quick Share can switch to using the internet (either Wi-Fi or mobile data) to finish the job.
This idea was initially introduced by Samsung in their One UI 7.0 beta. Now, this useful feature is part of the standard Android Quick Share.
The update means fewer failed transfers if your Wi-Fi drops out, but there’s a catch. If your internet is slow, the file might take longer to transfer. Also, if you don’t have an unlimited data plan, your data usage could go up, potentially increasing your costs. Hopefully, Google will let users turn off this feature if they want to.
Update Rollout Details
Google hasn’t said exactly when everyone will get this update, but it’s likely they’ll start with Pixel phones before moving on to other brands.
A Note on Quick Share Across Different Devices
Quick Share on Samsung phones works a bit differently than on other Android devices, as Samsung has sort of mixed their version with the standard Android one. The good news is, no matter which Android phone you have, Quick Share will work with other Android phones, ChromeOS, and even Windows devices.
This enhancement not only improves reliability but also makes sharing files between different devices much smoother.
