Google is reportedly testing a new ‘Tap to Share’ feature for Android that could let users share files, contacts, photos and links by simply tapping two phones together. According to a report from 9To5Google, recent updates have revealed an early preview of how the feature may work, including a pop-up guide and animations that show the process of connecting two devices.
What is ‘Tap to Share’ and how it works
As per the report, Google has added a new pop-up in recent updates that explains how the feature will function. To use it, users will need to unlock their phones and bring two devices close together, with their screens facing up and the top portions overlapping.
Similar to older Android and Apple features
The concept is not entirely new for Android. Earlier, the platform had a feature called Android Beam, which allowed similar tap-based sharing, but it was discontinued years ago. The new version appears to bring back that functionality in an updated form. According to the report, it may also work in a way similar to Apple’s NameDrop, where devices can exchange information with minimal steps.
Integration and supported devices
Challenges and rollout
One challenge highlighted is the placement of NFC hardware in Android devices. Unlike iPhones, where the NFC location is standard, Android phones have different placements, which may affect how easily devices connect. For now, the feature is still under development and not fully functional. However, the early preview gives a clear idea of how Google plans to simplify sharing between Android devices in the future.
