In this article, you’ll be learning how Android Beam works so you can take advantage of it when you want to exchange information between two phones.
What is Android Beam
Android Beam was introduced back in Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It is a feature that uses NFC technology to wirelessly transfer data between two compatible Android phones or tablets.
According to Google representatives, it is an Android feature that enables just about any type of proximity-based interaction.
It is a short-range connection, meaning both devices should be together, back-to-back. The sender’s device screen must display which files are to be shared and the receiver will be presented with the option to accept or deny the file transfer. You can use Android Beam to share directions between smartphones, website links, photos, videos, and other media.
Now that you know what is Android Beam, let’s have a more in-depth look at this technology.
Table of Contents
- What is Android Beam
- What is the Android Beaming Service?
- How to use Android Beam
- Android Beam file location
- Sharing wifi password with Android Beam
- Wrap Up
What is the Android Beam App
The Android Beam app lets you send directions, webpage links, contact info, photos, videos, and even navigation directions to another NFC phone or tablet.
There are some Android Beam apps available for download in the Google Play Store. Some will require payment but others are free to use.
What is the Android Beaming Service?
Android Beaming Service
Sometimes it can be time-consuming just to share a couple of files between two phones. Android Beaming Service is designed to provide access to file transfer without the need of pairing both devices via Bluetooth or even by an external cable. That enables a quick and effective way to connect two devices.
What is the Android Beam Function?
Its main function is to quickly transfer files and other content to a second phone or tablet as long as it features NFC and it is running Android 4.0 or newer.
What does Android Beaming Service do?
Beam is designed to be exceedingly easy and quick to use. For instance, if you want to share some pictures, a video, or even a Google Maps direction with a friend, you can instantly share those directions with Beam. You just need to pair your phone to your friends, and a “Touch to Beam” prompt appears on your screen.
How to use Android Beam
The first and most important thing before going any further is to check whether your smartphone or tablet supports NFC.
This can be found within the Connectivity Settings menu, alongside Wi-Fi and Mobile Data. Also, it needs to be running at least Android 4.0 (or newer), to support Android Beam.
Can Android Beam to iPhone?
Yes, it is possible to quickly and easily transfer data from Android to an iPhone. There are a lot of apps that are designed to serve exactly the purpose of transferring data, not via NFC but via Wi-Fi from two different operating systems: Android and iOS.
You just need to download the appropriate application both from the Google Play Store and from the Apple Store. You have some free apps available like Zapya, that will do the job.
What about Android Beam to PC?
If your computer is connected to a local wireless network, one of the easiest ways to transfer files to an Android device and vice-versa is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialize in porting information through your wireless network and onto a mobile device.
Once you set it up, it is a simple and quick way to transfer data between your phone and your personal computer.
Is there an Android Beam for PC?
There are some apps you can install on your phone to connect to your Windows 10 PC via Wi-Fi. Even Microsoft has a dedicated app for the purpose: Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows. There are also third-party apps available that will do the job.
How to use Android Beam
To transfer data between two Android devices, you should take the following procedures:
- Start by checking your device’s NFC support. Go to Settings > Connected Devices and then select the Connection Preferences option. If you find an NFC option, it means your device supports it. Then, you just have to tick the switch next to NFC to enable it. Under the Connection Preferences menu, you may also find an Android Beam option. Select it and tick the switch to On to enable Android Beam.
- After enabling NFC, you just need to select the data you want to transfer to the other Android device.
- In this final step, just displace both devices together, back-to-back, with the content you want to share displayed on the screen to activate Android Beam. If it’s able to be sent, the screen of the source phone will shrink down and a “Tap to Beam” text will display at the top. Now you just need to confirm the content transfer. Once the files transferring done, a warning confirmation tone will play. If for some reason, the transfer has failed, a more negative sound will play.
Android Beam file location
Once the transfer is completed, tap the incoming file on the receiver Android device. Doing so will confirm that you wish to open the sent file.
Sharing wifi password with Android Beam
You can also use Android Beam to share your Wi-Fi password with your friends or guests. Anyone who turns up at your house will be able to connect to your network without effort with the Android Beam WiFi password.
You just need to download InstaWifi through the Play Store. Then enter your network information and tap Write to Tag (with the tag in close proximity) to complete the job. Any of your guests with an NFC-equipped Android device can then simply tap the tag as they walk by to get connected to your local Wi-Fi.
Wrap Up
Since its inception, Android Beam has been growing as an easy and quick way to transfer data between Android Phones. Also, NFC is getting more popular nowadays and covering a bunch of mid-range to high-end phones as a standard feature.
In this article, you get a clarified explanation of how Android Beam work, how to use it, and some of its great features and capabilities.
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