Manage Device Visibility in Android Nearby Share

This article explains changing “Device visibility” settings with Android Nearby Share on Windows 11.

Android Nearby Share feature allows users with Android devices to securely send and receive photos, documents, and more with nearby Windows PCs.

You can also share folders between your Android device and Windows desktops and laptops. The Nearby Share feature controls who can discover your device and send files to you.

When you install and enable Android Nearby Share on Windows, your contacts can share with you when they are nearby. This depends on the “Device visibility” settings in the app.

Setting your device visibility on Android Nearby Share is important for controlling who can discover your device and send files to you. By default, your device visibility is set to “All contacts,” meaning anyone on your contact list can discover your device and share files with you when they are nearby.

However, you can change your visibility settings to “Everyone” or “No one,” depending on your preferences. “Contacts” allows you to choose specific contacts who can discover your device, while “No one” makes your device completely invisible to other devices.

This feature gives you greater control over who can access your device and ensures that your files are shared securely.

Change Device Visibility with Android Nearby Share

As mentioned above, when you install and enable Android Nearby Share, your contacts can share with you when they are nearby by default.

Here’s how to change your device visibility with Android Nearby Share.

You must first install the Android Nearby Share app on your Windows device. If you want help installing it, read the post below.

How to install the Android Nearby Share app on Windows 11

Once installed, launch the app by clicking on the Start menu and selecting it on the All Apps list.

You can also launch the app from the Taskbar or Taskbar overflow.

When the app opens, click the Settings button (gear) on the top right.

Select the Device visibility tile on the Settings pane to expand.

Use the drop-down caret on the Device visibility settings page to choose who can share with you.

By default, the Contacts group is selected to share with you. This means all the contacts in your Gmail profile can share when they are nearby.

To disable all contacts and selectively choose who can share with you, toggle the “Visible to all contacts” button, then choose from the list of users who can share when they are nearby.

Finally, choose any one of the groups to allow Nearby share when they are closer.

• Everyone – All can see your device and share content with you.
• Contacts – Only contacts in your Gmail profile can share with you.
• Your devices – Only your devices (those you logged in to) can be share with you.
• No one – Your device is hidden from all.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Changing the Device visibility with Android Nearby Share on Windows 11 gives you greater control over who can discover your device and share files with you when they are nearby.
• By adjusting the visibility settings, you can choose to share with everyone, specific contacts, only your devices, or no one at all, ensuring that your files are shared securely.
• Follow the provided steps to effectively change your device visibility and enhance the privacy and security of file sharing with Android Nearby Share on Windows 11.