Android: Google plans "Tap to Share" for quick data exchange

Google is preparing an update to Quick Share that is somewhat reminiscent of Apple's iPhone feature NameDrop: You simply hold two smartphones together and contact details, photos, videos, links, location, and more can be shared. A similar function called Android Beam existed before, but Google declared it deprecated with Android 10 and later removed it completely. Now it is celebrating a revival.

Sharing more than just contact details

Google has not officially announced Tap to Share yet, but tinkerers from 9to5Google and Android Authority were able to discover UI elements of the function in the Quick Share app. Based on these, the functionality can already be roughly inferred.

As 9to5Google writes, they were able to activate a pop-up window that explains “how tap to share works.” Accordingly, contact details, photos, videos, links, location, and much more can be shared instantly by holding two Android devices together. For this, both smartphones must be unlocked, and to initiate the data transfer, the top sides of both phones should be positioned over each other with the screens facing up. Then the screens should light up.

If this does not work, you should try holding both smartphones back to back; this is likely related to the fact that contact is established via an NFC module in the devices. However, depending on the model, these are housed in different locations.

Possibly part of Android 17

It is further stated that two devices, similar to Google's Android Beam, which Samsung further developed as “S Beam,” and Apple's “NameDrop,” can apparently interact with each other without much additional effort. However, you probably have to have at least the content to be shared open before the exchange. According to 9to5Google, the function could also be integrated into Android's sharing menu, although details are still unclear.

When Google will announce and finally release the function is also still uncertain. However, a release with Android 17, which is currently in beta, would be logical. The final version is expected for Pixel devices, possibly in the summer. That it will also come to non-Pixel devices was already shown at the end of March: Android Authority had found the function in One UI 9, Android 17 builds, and the Play Services. Most recently, Google had beefed up Quick Share to enable data transfer via AirDrop to Apple devices as well.

(afl)