Even now that the Android OS has Nearby Share to compete with Apple's Airdrop, chances are your device doesn't support it or it doesn't work as expected sometimes. And before Nearby Share, the need to transfer files between devices has always been there, and there are possible ways to do it. If you want to share files between your devices and you don't know-how, you need to check out these best file sharing apps for Android in 2021.
These include Android's Nearby Share, XShare, Files by Google and many more. They can help you transfer files between your devices at a lightning-fast speed 200 times faster than Bluetooth!
8 Best File Sharing Apps for Android in 2021
- Nearby Share
- XShare
- SHAREit
- Files by Google
- ShareMe
- Xender
- Zapya
- Superbeam
Note: We didn't list these apps/features based on their performance. They all help you achieve a similar aim. However, they come with extra features that'll help you pick the best file sharing app for you.
1. Nearby Share
Actually, Nearby Share is not an app but a feature available on all devices running Android 6 and above. File sharing has been a mess on Android until Google introduces Nearby Share – a similar feature to Apple's Airdrop.
Currently, Nearby Share can be referred to as the best sharing app for Android. It works on supported Android devices (Android 6 or later) and can help you share virtually anything between your Android devices. They include photos, videos, texts, links, audio, documents, apps, etc.
Nearby Share transfer files & links with fast speeds over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, depending on the file type and size. To check if the feature is available on your Android device, go to Settings → Google → Devices & sharing → Nearby Share. If you can find the option there, ensure your phone is up-to-date.
While Nearby Share is a one-click solution to the file-sharing mess on Android, it might not be the best for you, especially if you have issues with it. In that case, you need to check out our top picks for the best file sharing apps on Android below.
2. XShare
With over 100 million installs and a 4.4-star rating on the Play Store, XShare is one of the best app to transfer files from Android to Android. It works over Wi-Fi and Mobile Hotspot, so you don't have to worry about consuming your mobile data when you need to share large video files between devices.
XShare can transfer all sorts of files like music, videos, photos, apps, documents, etc. And with its highest transfer speed reaching 40MB/s, XShare transfers your files as fast as possible.
It comes pre-installed on some TECNO and Infinix smartphones, and you can install it on any Android phone from the Play Store.
3. SHAREit
Besides XShare, SHAREit is one of the popular, oldest, and best file sharing apps for Android. It works cross-platform, so you can share files from Android over to your iPhone, Windows PC, and other iOS devices. All you need is to install SHAREit on both devices from their designated app stores.
It works over Wi-Fi and can achieve a lightning speed of up to 20MB/s. It can help you transfer apps between Android devices and other file types on various platforms.
This fast file transfer app is free on various platforms but supported by ads and some of the other features offered by its developers, which can be annoying sometimes. Nonetheless, its CLONEit feature can help you transfer all your data from one Android device to another.
4. Files by Google
"Files" is originally a file manager and storage cleaner app by Google, but it also offers a feature to let you transfer files between Android devices. You can share all sorts of files offline with a fast speed of up to 480Mb/s. All you need is to ensure you and the receiver have an updated version of the Files app.
On the plus side, Files by Google uses the WPA2 encryption method to secure everything you transfer between your Android devices. Additionally, this app comes with a simple interface with no ads, so it's less annoying than its counterparts.
To sum it up, Files by Google is one of the best file sharing apps on Android. Its inbuilt file manager and storage cleaner give it an edge over other file sharing apps.
5. ShareMe
With over 500 million installs on the Play Store, ShareMe by Xiaomi is one of the best app to transfer files from Android to Android. It works over Wi-Fi, which claims to be 200 times faster than Bluetooth.
With that, you can share large video files, photos, videos, apps, and much more, with ShareMe at lightning-fast speed. More so, it's completely ad-free, meaning you don't get to see those frustrating ads and pop-ups while sharing files.
It comes with an intuitive and user-friendly UI, with files sorted into categories to make the transfer process even easier. The app is free to download on the Play Store and it works cross-platform. You can share files between Android, iOS and computers.
6. Xender
Right from the onset, Xender is one of the most used file transfer apps for Android to date. Like others, it transfers over Wi-Fi at a fast speed of up to 40Mb/s. One of its standout features is that it can transfer an entire folder at once. Its "Phone Clone" feature also allows you to copy all data from an old Android device to a new one.
Recently, it gained a feature that allows you to convert received video files to MP3 format if you ever need it. Among others, it allows cross-platform file sharing between JioPhone, Android, iPhone, Windows PC, and others
However, you'll see random pop-ups and ads while using the app, and it can install random sponsored apps you might not appreciate on your device. With that, it's not easy to recommend Xender. But if you don't mind it bloating your device, Xender is one of the best file sharing apps out there.
7. Zapya
With no exaggeration, Zapya remains one of the best file sharing apps for Android. Other than that, it supports cross-platform sharing, allowing you to transfer files between your Android, iPhone, Windows, and other supported devices.
It's one of the all-in-one best file sharing apps that allows you to connect and transmit files between multiple devices at a go. It also comes with "Speed Optimization" tools that allow you to customize your connection setting and optimize it for fast speed.
Like other best file transferring apps mentioned earlier, Zapya allows you to transfer all types of files between your devices.
8. Superbeam
Unlike many other file transferring apps, Superbeam relies on WiFi Direct, which is arguable faster in some cases, to share files between Android devices. You can pair devices with NFC, QR code scanning, or manual key sharing.
It offers you a wide range of themes to choose from, and thankfully it doesn't come with ads. It comes with a PRO version with support for more features, but then you can achieve the basic file sharing in the regular version.
Related:
How to transfer files from iPhone to Android
How to move files from internal storage to SD card
