Firstly, their devices are generally more widespread, especially in the US. Both technologies are only able to communicate with other devices in their own eco-system. The difference that has the most significant impact on the user is compatibility. However, overall Airdrop is quicker, though Google has been working to increase the speed of Nearby Share. The transfer time is significantly faster than Nearby Shares, though some of this advantage is negated, as Airdrop needs more time to prepare the files for transfer. Nearby Share, for example, can transfer the data over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, just like Airdrop, but can also switch to NFC transfer when it detects that as the fastest option.Īn important difference is, of course, speed.

There are a few differences in how the technologies function. The process is speedy but you can speed it up even further if you make sure that any videos or photos you are sending are downloaded to your device before sending. You have to have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on to use both, but you won’t need a data connection.

From there, the devices that can receive the files will appear, tap on the one you want to send and off they go. To use either you navigate to the photo or file you want to transfer, select Share then tap on Nearby Share for Android devices and Airdrop for Apple. The overall functionality of both Nearby Share and Airdrop is very similar. This is the secret to how they can transfer these files faster, as you avoid the upload and download time of e-mailing or using sites like WeTranfer. They work by creating private, walled-off, Wi-Fi networks between the devices. These files can be large too, without taking an age to send. They offer a fast and streamlined way to share files between devices that are nearby. Nearby Share vs Airdrop – similaritiesīoth Nearby Share and Airdrop serve the same purpose.

Overall both Nearby Share and Airdrop function very similarly but there are some subtle but vital differences that we will get into here.

Nearby share between android and iphone