What does "Google Settings > Set up Nearby Device" actually do?

Aardvarks

unread,

Jul 30, 2016, 8:41:47 PM7/30/16

to

What does "Google Settings > Setup Nearby Device" actually do?
http://i.cubeupload.com/5LnJ8M.gif

I was testing things out to see if I could help Wade Garrett
who had asked how to get AirDroid working on Android recently.

Hunting and pecking around, I found this which I had never used:
Google Settings > Set up nearby device

Hmmm.... what does *that* do?

1. I clicked "Set up nearby device"
2. It came up with a "Getting started" screen which said:
"To set up your other device, your phone's Bluetooth
and your WiFi data will be used..."
3. But when I hit "Next", it didn't find any devices
(which makes sense, since I don't know what I'm doing)

Anyone here use this "Google: Set up nearby device"?

What does Google Settings > Setup Nearby Device actually do?
http://i.cubeupload.com/5LnJ8M.gif

John McGaw

unread,

Jul 31, 2016, 4:05:56 PM7/31/16

to

On 7/30/2016 8:41 PM, Aardvarks wrote:
> But when I hit "Next", it didn't find any devices
> (which makes sense, since I don't know what I'm doing)

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6260286?hl=en

Aardvarks

unread,

Jul 31, 2016, 4:27:08 PM7/31/16

to

On Sun, 31 Jul 2016 16:05:49 -0400, John McGaw wrote:

> https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6260286?hl=en

I wasn't aware that the feature is called "Nearby", so that reference helps
a lot.

It's titled:
Use Nearby to interact with what¢s around you
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6260286?hl=en

Saying:
Nearby helps you find and interact with services and devices close to you
(within about 30 m or 100 ft).

Nearby discoveries" uses only low-power Bluetooth to detect broadcasts
around your device.

"Nearby apps" uses a combination of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and inaudible sound
to detect devices around your device.

But, apparently it's not useful for file transfer.

So, if Nearby doesn't work for that OP, then maybe Android Beam will.
Use Android Beam to share content by NFC
https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/2781895

joaor...@gmail.com

unread,

Nov 11, 2016, 7:57:53 AM11/11/16

to

It does nothing as it's another poorly developed feature. I always get the Sorry something went wrong message. These core things that android can't get right...

Percival P. Cassidy

unread,

Nov 11, 2016, 10:31:53 AM11/11/16

to

On 11/11/2016 07:57 AM, joaor...@gmail.com wrote:

> It does nothing as it's another poorly developed feature. I always get the Sorry something went wrong message. These core things that android can't get right...

I used it to transfer everything from our old Nexus 4 phones to our new
Nexus 5X phones. It worked fine.

Perce

atome...@gmail.com

unread,

Nov 20, 2017, 3:09:36 PM11/20/17

to

I have a new vodaphone smart mini 7 pay as you go vdf300 phone, and after the initial start up I cannot get the keyboard up on the screen, so I cannot ring the required number in order to get my own new phone number! How and WHY is THAT?!!!! It says "Welcome" at the top and a √ with the word "emergency" at the bottom. Please can any one out there help?
Yours hopefully and in some despair, Stammerboy. Thankyou!