Nearby Storage Share

Connect your devices

How an Android phone shares storage, and how Android, Windows, macOS and Linux connect to each other. Pick your situation, then follow the pictures.

Which connection do I use?

Host → GuestNearby (no Wi-Fi needed)Same Wi-Fi or hotspot
Android → AndroidYesYes
Android → Windows / macOS / LinuxNoYes
Windows / macOS / Linux → AndroidNoYes
Computer → ComputerNoYes

Computers cannot use Google's Nearby Connections, so they always connect over a shared network. A phone's own hotspot counts: switch it on, join it from the computer, and you are on the same network.

Share storage from an Android phone

The phone that has the spare space is the host. Do this once; afterwards it is one switch.

  1. Open SettingsPick Shared storage limit (5 GB, 10 GB or custom) and Storage location. A visible folder is recommended.
  2. Choose the folderThe first time you share, Android asks you to pick a folder. Guest files will appear there with real names.
  3. Choose who can connectAsk each time, only devices you approved, or anyone nearby with limits. Set default permissions.
  4. Switch on Share my storageOn Home. The phone is now visible and shows its address, for example 192.168.1.20:45820.
  5. Allow new devicesWhen someone connects, a request with a 6-digit code appears. Press Allow if the code matches their screen.
Settings Shared storage limit 5 GB 10 GB Other 2 GB always stays free for you Storage location Visible folderrecommended Hidden (advanced) Change folder
1 · Limit and location
Choose a folder 📁 Documents 📁 Nearby Storage Share 📁 Pictures Use this folder
2 · Pick the folder
Nearby Storage 2.1 GB Share my storageNearby phones can request access ● Visible to nearby devices Also reachable on your Wi-Fi at 192.168.1.20:45820
3 · Switch sharing on
Ravi's Phone wantsto connect 482 913 Allow only if this code ison their screen too DenyAllow
4 · Allow with the code

Tap the bell icon on Home to see connected devices. Open a device to set what it may do (view, upload, replace, delete, create folders), its own storage limit and how long it has access, or to revoke or block it.

Android to Android with Nearby

No router and no internet needed. Both phones should be within a few metres, with Bluetooth and Location switched on.

HOST GUEST Sharing storageUses the storage Bluetooth + Wi-Fi DirectGoogle Nearby Connections No router · no internet
The two phones talk to each other directly.
  1. Host: shareSwitch on Share my storage (steps above).
  2. Guest: Nearby tabOpen Nearby and tap Scan for devices. Allow Nearby devices, Bluetooth and Location if asked.
  3. Guest: pick the hostThe host's name appears in the list. Tap Connect.
  4. Compare the codeBoth phones show the same 6 digits. Guest: Yes, the codes match. Host: Allow.
  5. Use the filesThe Files tab opens with the host's storage. Next time it reconnects without a code.
Nearby Scan for devices Ravi's PhoneNearby · 3 mConnect Connect by address
Guest · find the host
Pair with Ravi's Phone 482 913 Same code on the host? Yes, the codes match
Guest · compare the code
Ravi's Phone● Connected 2.3 GB of 10 GB used 📁 Holiday photos 📄 Report.pdf 📷 family.jpg Upload
Guest · browse and upload

Android to Android over Wi-Fi or a hotspot

Use this when Nearby is unreliable, when the phones are farther apart, or when the guest is not an Android phone. Both devices join the same Wi-Fi, or one phone turns on its hotspot and the other joins it.

Same Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot Direct, encrypted (TLS)TCP port 45820 HOST GUEST
The router only carries the traffic; the files go straight between the two devices.
  1. Same networkPut both devices on the same Wi-Fi, or turn on one phone's hotspot and join it.
  2. Host: shareSwitch on Share my storage. Note the address under the status chip.
  3. Guest: Nearby tabScan. Hosts on the network appear with a network icon. If not, tap Connect by address and type the address.
  4. PairCompare the 6-digit code and allow, exactly as above.

Android and a computer (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Install the desktop app on the computer. Both devices must be on the same network. The easiest setup is the phone's hotspot: turn it on, join it from the computer.

One network (Wi-Fi or hotspot) AndroidWindowsmacOSLinux host or guesthost or guesthost or guesthost or guest
Any of them can host and any can be a guest, as long as they are on the same network.

A phone shares, a computer uses it

  1. Phone: shareSwitch on Share my storage. Note the address, for example 192.168.1.20:45820.
  2. Computer: open the appOn the Use nearby storage tab the phone appears under Hosts on your network. Click Connect. If it is missing, type the address under Connect by address.
  3. Compare the codeThe computer shows a 6-digit code. Click Yes, the codes match, then press Allow on the phone.
  4. Work with the filesBrowse, upload, save to the computer, open, rename and delete. Next time the paired host connects without a code.

A computer shares, a phone or computer uses it

  1. Computer: shareOpen the Share my storage tab and switch sharing on. Allow the firewall prompt for private networks the first time. The addresses are shown.
  2. Phone: Nearby tabScan, or use Connect by address with the address the computer shows.
  3. PairThe computer asks you to allow the new device with a code. Compare the code on both screens and press Allow.
  4. ManageOn the computer, tap a device to set permissions and limits. Received files lists everything it sent; Show in folder opens the file in File Explorer, Finder or your file manager.
Use nearby storage Share my storage Share this computer's storageSharing is on · 1 connected 192.168.1.30:45820 1.2 GB of 5 GB used Visible folder: Documents/Nearby Storage Share
Computer as host: the Share my storage tab
Use nearby storage Share my storage Hosts on your network Ravi's Phone192.168.1.20:45820 Connect Connect by address 192.168.1.20:45820Connect
Computer as guest: Use nearby storage

What happens when two devices pair

Guest Host 1 · Finds the host (Nearby, or a network broadcast), or you type its address 2 · Starts an encrypted (TLS) connection 482 913 482 913 3 · Both screens work out the same code from both devices' keys.A device in the middle would get a different code. 4 · Guest: "Yes, the codes match" 5 · Host presses Allow 6 · Paired. Each side remembers the other's certificate.Next time: reconnect with no code. A different certificate is refused.
The code is the only thing you compare. Everything after it is encrypted and checked on the host.

If it does not connect

More fixes are on the Help page.

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