How to send files via Android Beam?
What is Android Beam?
Android Beam allows instant sharing of content between two NFC-enabled Android devices. It utilizes NFC (Near Field Communication) to establish a peer-to-peer connection when the backs of the devices are tapped together (PCMag, 2022). Once connected, Android Beam can transfer photos, videos, contacts, web pages and more from one device to another.
The key advantage of Android Beam is its speed and simplicity. Rather than requiring any pairing, scanning or setup, it allows quick taps between devices to share files and information. All that is needed is having NFC and Android Beam enabled on both devices (Business Insider, 2020).
Requirements for Android Beam
In order to use Android Beam, both devices need to meet certain requirements:
First, both devices need to have NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities and have NFC enabled in the settings. NFC allows the transfer of data between devices that are in very close proximity to each other, usually by touching the backs of the devices together. Android Beam utilizes NFC to transfer files, contacts, web pages, and more (Wikipedia).
Second, both devices need to be running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher. Android Beam was introduced as a feature in Android 4.0, so it is not available on earlier versions of Android (JavatPoint).
Finally, both devices need to have their lock screens bypassed. This means that the screen needs to be unlocked and on the home screen for Android Beam to function. The lock screen blocks NFC signals, so Android Beam cannot work when the screen is locked.
Enable NFC on Android
To use Android Beam, you first need to make sure NFC (Near Field Communication) is enabled on your Android device. Here are the steps to turn on NFC:
Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet. On most devices, you can find this by swiping down from the top and tapping the gear icon.
Tap More or Connections, and look for the NFC option. On Samsung devices this may be under “Connections” then “NFC and contactless payments.”
Toggle the NFC switch to the on position. You may see a toast notification confirming NFC has been activated.
Once NFC is enabled, your device will be able to beam content to other NFC-enabled devices. You’re now ready to turn on Android Beam.
Enable Android Beam on Android
To enable Android Beam on your Android device, follow these steps:
First, open the Settings app. You can find this by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the gear icon.
Next, tap on More settings or Connections, and then tap NFC. The location varies by device, but it’s usually under Connections or More settings.
Finally, toggle the switch next to Android Beam to the “on” position. This will enable Android Beam and allow you to start sharing content between devices.
According to an article on Business Insider, turning on Android Beam is the first key step to being able to transfer data between two NFC-enabled Android devices.
Receiving Files via Android Beam
To receive files using Android Beam, you first need to unlock your screen and open the app you want to receive the file in (such as your photo gallery if receiving a photo). Make sure NFC and Android Beam are enabled on your device.
When the sender initiates the file transfer, you will get a prompt to touch your phone back-to-back with their device. Once your phones connect via NFC, accept the incoming file transfer. Your device may vibrate when the transfer begins.
The file will automatically save to the appropriate app on your device – photos will save to your gallery, contacts to your contacts list, etc. The transfer is direct device-to-device via NFC so no manual saving is required.
If you wish to decline an incoming file transfer, simply do not accept the prompt and move the devices apart to cancel the transfer. Make sure to have unlocked your device and opened the receiving app before touching phones.
Overall, receiving files via Android Beam is quick and easy provided NFC/Android Beam is enabled on both devices. Just accept the transfer prompt when prompted and the file will automatically save to your device over the NFC connection.
Sending Files via Android Beam
Android Beam allows users to quickly send files and content between two NFC-enabled Android devices. Here are the steps to send a file using Android Beam:
First, open the app containing the file you want to send. This could be a photo in your Gallery app, a webpage in Chrome, a contact card, etc. Make sure the specific file you want to send is open within the app.
Next, make sure Android Beam is enabled on both devices. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences on each phone and ensure NFC and Android Beam are toggled on. The devices must both support NFC for Beam to work.
With the file open on one device, simply touch the back of that phone against the back of the receiving phone. Hold the devices together until the transfer is complete. You’ll feel a vibration and may hear a sound when the transfer starts. Some content transfers immediately while larger files may take a few seconds.
That’s it! The file will now appear on the receiving device in the same app. For example, a photo will show up in the Gallery app. Android Beam provides a quick, wireless way to share files between two Android devices.
Transferring Photos
One of the most common uses of Android Beam is to quickly transfer photos between Android devices. Here is how to transfer photos using Android Beam:
First, open the Photos app on both devices and select the photo you want to send. Leave the photo open on the screen of the sending device.
Next, physically touch the backs of the two devices together when prompted. You should feel the devices vibrate slightly when the NFC connection is established.
On the receiving device, you will see a preview of the photo. Tap on the preview image to download and save the full resolution photo to your device.
The photo transfer process only takes a few seconds. You can repeat the same steps to continue beaming multiple photos between the two devices.
Just make sure NFC and Android Beam are enabled on both devices first. Also, keep the devices unlocked and the screens active during the transfer process. Overall, transferring photos via Android Beam is a quick and easy way to share images between Android phones and tablets (Cite: https://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-use-android-beam-699961/).
Sharing Contacts
You can easily share contacts between Android devices using Android Beam. Here are the steps:
First, open the Contacts app on your Android device. Browse to find the specific contact you want to share with the other device.
Once you have selected the contact, touch the device backs together when prompted and hold them there. You will see a confirmation that Android Beam is ready to send the contact information.
On the receiving device, accept the incoming prompt to receive the contact via Android Beam. The contact information like phone numbers, email addresses, and other details will be transferred seamlessly between the two devices.
According to this article, the tap-to-send functionality of Android Beam lives on through Nearby Share even though Android Beam itself was deprecated. This allows quick contact sharing by physically tapping devices together.
With Android Beam, you can easily transfer contacts without needing any third-party apps or going through a complicated setup process. As long as both devices have NFC enabled and are in close physical proximity, contact sharing is fast and seamless.
Troubleshooting
If you are having issues transferring files via Android Beam, there are a few things you can try:
First, ensure NFC is enabled on both devices. Android Beam relies on Near Field Communication (NFC), so it needs to be turned on in your phone settings for Beam to work.
Make sure the screens of both devices are unlocked when you try to initiate a transfer. Android Beam will not work when the screens are locked.
When you touch the backs of the two devices together, press firmly enough to make good contact but avoid pressing too hard. You should see a notification pop up on both screens indicating that the transfer can begin.
If the transfer fails to initiate, try repositioning the devices and touching them backs together again in a different orientation or location. Sometimes you need to find just the right spot to line up the NFC radios properly.
If Android Beam still seems unreliable, try clearing the cache for the NFC service in your device settings, force stopping the NFC app, restarting your phone, or performing a soft reset to see if it resolves whatever issues is preventing the transfers.
Android Beam Alternatives
With Android Beam now deprecated, there are a few alternatives for wirelessly sharing files, links, and contacts between Android devices:
Bluetooth
Android devices can use Bluetooth for quick file transfers by going to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth. Users can then select the file(s) they want to send, choose Bluetooth as the sharing method, and select the receiving device.
Files and links can also be shared easily via email. Just attach the desired files to a new email and send it to the recipient’s email address.
Messaging Apps
Popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram etc. have options to send documents, photos, videos and other media between users. These provide simple alternatives to directly beam files and content.
Cloud Storage
Users can upload files to cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, then create shareable links to provide access for other users to view or download the files.