Updated March 31, 2023
Introduction to AirDrop for Android
In traditional applications, data files were exchanged between users through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or E-mail, if the users are not connected in the same network. File transfer happens through the local copy program if the users are in the same network. Most probably the receiver of the data may not be there in the same network and hence the file transfer was a time-consuming low productive activity. In this topic, we are going to learn about AirDrop for Android.
In the Modern digital world, people need to remain connected and the information needs to be exchanged instantly irrespective of whether users are connected in the same network or not. These exchanges will have to take place when people are in mobile and it is possible only in wireless mode. Security should never be compromised when such data exchange happens in a wireless mode. The operation should be easy and hassle-free.
Apple came up with a product AirDrop in 2011 that will enable IOS users to transfer data between their ipad, iphone, Macbook seamlessly in a secure way. Right now there is no ready-to-use AirDrop equivalent app for Android users and they have to work with the roundabout method in achieving the functions of AirDrop.
In this article let us study IOS AirDrop functionalities and their equivalent for Android users.
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is a service offered by Apple Computers that enables devices operating in IOS and Mac operating systems to exchange data content with each other in a hassle-free manner. The data content may be files, videos, photos, contact information, playlist, location data, notes, and data links. There is a distant limitation of 30 feet up to which the receiver device should be present from the sender for the exchange of data to be successful.
This facility was introduced in OS X Lion 10.7 and IOS 7. Earlier there were separate AirDrop protocols for MacOS and IOS and they were not interoperable. OS X Yosemite (OS X 10.10) had the common protocol for both OS. AirDrop supports iPhone 5 and later versions, Ipad 4th generation onwards, iPad Mini, and ipad touch. It manages file contents of any size.
Bluetooth connection is used to establish the connectivity between IOS devices while using AirDrop and then Wi-Fi takes over in the actual transmission of data in a secured way with encryption. AirDrop transmits data more securely than E-mail. It gives the option to the users to turn off anyone from sending them any data or allow only those who are their contacts to send or allow everyone to airDrop files. Users will be able to transfer data to the receivers according to options set by the receivers in their devices and such users only will be listed in the sender’s AirDrop application.
In AirDrop, TLS encryption is used to transfer files in the Wi-Fi network created in the peer-to-peer model that does not use an internet connection or Access point. Apple Wireless direct link protocol is used in this network. If users allow everyone to send files there could be a chance that they may receive unwanted files from strangers nearby and it is called Cyber Flashing and hence users will have to discreetly use the option available to them.
There is no direct equivalent app available now for Android users similar to AirDrop and there are many roundabout ways users will have resort to exchange the data. But no way have these alternatives matched the features of AirDrop and users felt they had been singled out by Android and other OEM mobile device manufacturers like Samsung. Some developments are at the lab stage.
1. Android Beam
In the versions before Android 10, users had the option of using Android Beam to transfer files and its features are
- Introduced in Android version 4.0 in 2011
- Enabled Files transfer using near field communication (NFC) technology
- Covered a short
- Sending and receiving devices should support
- Devices will have to be kept back to back and NFC senses the receiving device and transfer the data.
- Data files, contact information, Weblink, videos were exchanged between Android devices
- This software was further improved when Google acquired Bump
- Android Beam performance was not consistent and other alternate software flooded the
- This product lost its sheen and it was junked in Android version 10 in
2. Nearby Sharing
Google has started developing AirDrop like the product after realizing the big gap in their product portfolio and the frenzied mood of Android users and it is in labs, yet to be released and its likely features are
- XDA developers tested the new software using two-pixel phones
- Originally called as Fast share
- The successor to Android Beam
- NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi technologies are used in this new product
- Another site tested the beta version using Pixel and Oneplus 7T
- It will be a regular feature accessible for Android devices and it is likely to be part of Google play services
- It allows users to choose the account from which they want to transfer the
- Like AirDrop it has the option to open up your device to all or all your contacts or a few of your contacts or
- The current version has a range limit of 1 foot and Google has the plan to use its location services to identify devices to exchange
- The launch date is not yet
3. Quick Share
Samsung as an OEM of mobile devices with Android OS is also working on its AirDrop kind of product to be used in Galaxy phones. Most of the features available in AirDrop are factored in the new product.
When the receiver phone is set as open to everyone there is a possibility of unsolicited files landing on the device and it is not clear how this issue is going to be resolved in Quick share. It’s likely to have a cloud storage option.
Other alternatives
In the absence of AirDrop like products in Android devices, the following alternatives are being used by users.
- SHAREit – With 20MBps speed and an inbuilt video player it provides a fast data transfer facility option to the user between Android devices. Launched in 2013, it supports all types of data and it is most popular among Alternatives to AirDrop. It makes of inbuilt Wi-FI router in the
- Xender – Enables cross-platform file sharing using Wi-Fi and it sends the file in zipped format. Works with 5 devices
- Send Anywhere – It supports data exchange between devices of all platforms. It provides a faster transfer rate and handles large files
- Instashare – Shares all types of files and has a drag and drop and other simple features
- Zapya – Enables transfer of large files and has a cross-platform exchange facility
Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are working together to develop their cross-device file transfer software.
Conclusion – AirDrop for Android
Android users are eagerly waiting for a full-fledged product from Google or other OEM vendors and it should be as featured as the AirDrop app and let us hope it will be launched soon.
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This is a guide to AirDrop for Android. Here we discuss the AirDrop functionalities and their equivalent for Android users along with the other alternatives. You may also look at the following articles to learn more –
