Getting Nearby Share Working on Windows 11 — No Worries
If you’re looking to move files between your Android phone and Windows 11 without tangled cables or relying on cloud uploads, Nearby Share can be a real game-changer. But honestly, setting it up can be a bit tricky the first time around. I’ve been there — spending ages trying to get my devices to connect properly — so here’s what finally did the trick for me, along with some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls.
First up, you’ll need the Windows Nearby Share app, which you can download from the official Microsoft site. It’s not always front and centre; I had to hunt through the download links in the Downloads section or do a quick search for Nearby Share Windows app. Once you find it, click ‘Get Started’ and follow the prompts. The installation is pretty straightforward — just a few clicks, maybe a restart if prompted, and you’re almost there.
During installation, Windows will ask if you want to grant the app access to networks and Bluetooth. Don’t skip those — they’re vital for everything to work smoothly. After installing, you’ll need to turn on Nearby Sharing manually via Settings. Head over to Settings > System > Shared Experiences. If you don’t see the toggle for Nearby sharing, ensure your Windows is fully updated and that there aren’t any device restrictions imposed by your PC manufacturer. On some brands or older hardware, this setting might be greyed out or missing entirely.
Make sure your PC has Bluetooth enabled too. On my trusty old ASUS, it was hidden under Advanced options or Device Manager. Check under Bluetooth and ensure it shows something like Intel Wireless Bluetooth. If Bluetooth isn’t showing or working, try toggling it off and on again, or update your Bluetooth driver via Device Manager. Windows can forget these settings after updates, which can cause all sorts of hiccups. Also, double-check that your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both switched on — toggling these from the Action Centre (Windows + A) or in Settings often helps resolve discoverability issues. Sometimes, they’re disabled by default or hidden behind privacy settings.
An important point: your network settings must be configured correctly. I initially thought Bluetooth alone was enough, but turns out both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth need to be active and connected. In the same Shared Experiences menu, you’ll see options like Everyone nearby or My devices only. Choose according to your privacy comfort — I wouldn’t set it to ‘Everyone’ unless you’re happy for random strangers to send files your way.
During setup, you might be prompted to sign in with your Google account — this is crucial if you’re syncing or using Google’s services. If needed, just click ‘Sign In’ again. You’ll also assign your PC a visible name, which is the name other devices will see when trying to send files. You can adjust who is allowed to send you files — contacts, or anyone nearby — but most folks just stick with defaults unless privacy is a major concern.
Once everything’s set up, click ‘Done’. That’s it — Nearby Sharing should now be active. Sending files is just a matter of proximity and trust. Your PC will let you know when Nearby Sharing is enabled, or you can double-check in Settings > System > Shared Experiences. If things act up, turning Nearby Sharing off and back on, or toggling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, often does the trick.
To test it out, make sure your Android device is discoverable in Bluetooth settings and that Wi-Fi is active — both are necessary because transfers use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct. I’ve found that keeping both devices close within a few metres helps, especially if you’re connected to VPNs or multiple networks. VPNs, in particular, can block the connection, so turn those off if you’re having trouble.
Finally, check your Windows Bluetooth discoverability settings. Head into Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Sometimes, you’ll need to click More Bluetooth options and then select Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC. That option is usually unchecked by default unless you’ve changed it. If your PC isn’t discoverable, file sharing won’t work properly.
If you’re still having issues, the Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) can help troubleshoot — look under Windows Logs > System for Bluetooth or network errors. In my experience, toggling settings, verifying device visibility, and keeping the devices close worked best. It might take a few tries and a couple of reboots, but that’s just Windows sometimes.
Overall, patience is key — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, permissions, discoverability, and proximity all need to line up. I hope this guide makes things a bit easier — it took me ages to figure it all out. Hopefully, it saves someone else a couple of weekends’ worth of frustration.