WhatsApp may soon introduce a Nearby Share-like feature for desktops and phones

It’s a new day, and WhatsApp beta (for Android) has gotten yet another feature. This time, it happens to be an in-built file-sharing feature similar to the recently introduced Quick Share feature developed in collaboration by Google and Samsung.

What is the new nearby file-sharing feature on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp’s new file-sharing feature is currently expected to enable file-sharing across Android devices and Windows and ChromeOS PCs. The feature, as per reports, will allow users to share files of up to 2GB. In addition to this, the feature is also reportedly faster than traditional methods including transferring files via cloud storage or over chat.

The nearby file-sharing feature appears to be restricted to users within a certain radius at any given point, and once a transfer has been initiated, they must remain there for the file transfer to be successful.  What’s cool is, while you are visible to people using the feature, should you also have it turned on, your phone number is hidden from those not in your contact list. Moreover, the feature is also protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-encryption, ensuring the safety of the files being transferred.

Now, while the feature is an extremely useful addition for WhatsApp Web and desktop users, just how much it will be useful for those using Android devices remains to be seen, as they already have Google’s Nearby Share and Samsung’s Quick Share features in-built.

Moreover, reports make no mention of if and when the feature will come to iPhones. However, iOS users have already had access to a similar feature for years now – namely, AirDrop.

Other WhatsApp features to look out for

WhatsApp in the past year, has been in the process of testing a slew of new features. Just some of the most recent ones include the ability to listen to music together, host watch parties, create group events, and more.