Chromebook is getting a cool feature that Apple MacBook doesn't have

Google set to roll out Nearby Share update to support file sharing with multiple devices

Chromebook
(Image credit: Andrew Neel on Unsplash)
Shabana Arif
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Apple got the jump on its Android counterparts with its AirDrop feature, that lets users share files between iPhones or MacBooks using Bluetooth or WiFi, but Google rolled out its equivalent with Nearby Share last year fo Android phones and Chromebooks; and now it's one-upping Apple with potential support for up to four other devices. 

At the moment, Nearby Share also limits Android users to file transfers with just one person at a time, like AirDrop. It improved on the feature last month by adding the ability to share apps, and now it looks set to expand the number of devices you can share files with, while Apple users are still relegated to one. 

XDA Developers Mishaal Rahman has been poking about in the Android 12 Developer Preview again, and says that Google's Nearby Share is "preparing to add group transfer support". In its current form, it can connect to a maximum of four other devices, but it's only possible to transfer to one device at a time. He reports that he was able to connect to two while testing it out, but added that it "fails immediately." 

While you can already share multiple files with Nearby Share, another improvement that's reportedly in the works is a feature that will allow users to share entire folders, according to Rahman. The new features won't be exclusive to Android 12, with Rahman saying it will be compatible with older OS versions. You can take a peek at what the feature looks like in the tweet above.

There are a bunch of cool updates set for Android 12, and you can get an overview of our favorites in T3's top 10 Android 12 features we're looking forward to. And while we wait for the rollout, you can dig into a roundup of five new Android features coming to the platform in the meantime.    

Shabana Arif
Shabana Arif

Shabana worked at T3.com as News Editor covering tech and gaming, and has been writing about video games for almost a decade (and playing them since forever). She's had bylines at major gaming sites during her freelance career before settling down here at T3, and has podcasts, streaming, and video content under her belt to boot. Outside of work, she also plays video games and should really think about expanding her hobbies. If you have any tech or gaming tips, shoot over an email or DM her on social media.

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