Google Quick Share upgrade makes it easier to share files

Google Quick Share just got a big-time upgrade that makes it a lot more convenient to share a file with someone.

In a System Release Notes update for February 2025, Google revealed several changes coming to Google Play Services, including the ability to manage Family Link groups more easily, new features for third-party developers to support machine learning and AI in their apps, and more.

Also: Google’s Quick Share might soon rival AirDrop on iPhone and Mac – here’s why

Perhaps the most useful update, however, comes in the device connectivity category. Previously, if you were sharing a file with someone through the Quick Share feature (formerly Nearby Share), you had to maintain a direct connection through Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth.

Now, Google says, that file transfer can “continue” over Wi-Fi or mobile data even if the direct connection is lost (as long as both devices maintain a connection of their own). Google’s choice of wording — that you can “continue” transfers — suggests the process will simply continue (if you disconnect) rather than start over.

The best part about this: If you’re sending someone a large file, you don’t have to be right there with them the whole time. For bigger files, though, you’ll probably want to make sure you’re on a Wi-Fi connection, as many carriers have data caps where your mobile connection speed slows once you pass a certain point.

Quick Share lets you transfer files from Android to Android, Android to Chrome OS, Android to Windows, and soon — possibly — Android to iOS.

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For comparison, Apple AirDrop and Samsung Quick Share have similar features (but Samsung’s only works this way if both devices are Samsung). 

These rollouts do take time, even up to a few weeks, so you might not see the new capability right away. You’ll know you have it when you see your Google Play Services update to version 25.04.