A new feature under development by Google could soon make file sharing on Android devices faster and more seamless, using a simple tap between phones.
The feature, called “Tap to Share”, is currently being tested and is expected to allow users to share contacts, photos, videos, links, and location details by bringing two smartphones close together. Early previews suggest that users will need to unlock their devices and position them with screens facing up and the top edges overlapping.
Once aligned, users must hold the devices together until a glow animation appears, confirming a successful connection. If the process does not work initially, placing the phones back-to-back may help establish the connection.
The idea is not entirely new for Android. The platform previously offered a similar feature called Android Beam, which enabled tap-based sharing but was later discontinued. The new version appears to bring back this functionality with improvements. It also seems similar to Apple’s NameDrop feature, which allows quick sharing between devices with minimal steps.
Reports indicate that the feature could be integrated into Android’s share sheet, though the exact process is still not fully confirmed. There are also signs that some devices, including those from Samsung, may support sharing contact cards using this system. The early preview was spotted on a Pixel device, but the design suggests it could work across multiple Android smartphones.
One key challenge for this feature is hardware variation. Unlike iPhones, where NFC placement is consistent, Android devices have different NFC positions. This could affect how easily two phones connect during the tap process.
For now, “Tap to Share” is still in development and not fully functional. However, the preview offers a clear look at how Android may simplify device-to-device sharing in the future.
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