Google is widely rolling out a new feature for Android users that makes file sharing even easier. Now you can use QR codes to share files through Quick Share, a tool already built into your Android phone. This update is part of the latest version (24.49.33) of Google Play Services and is available to users worldwide.
The new feature works in a simple and familiar way. Once you tap on the Quick Share option in your phone’s sharing menu, a full-screen interface will appear. You will now see a new option called “Use QR Code” in the “Send to Nearby Devices” section. By selecting this option, a unique QR code with the Quick Share logo will appear. When the QR code appears, your screen will automatically light up to make it easier for other devices to scan.
What makes this feature so convenient is its simplicity. The person you’re sharing with simply needs to open the camera app on their Android phone and point it at your QR code. This will instantly generate a “quickshare.google” link on their device and the file transfer will begin without any additional steps. Google says you don’t need to add anyone as a contact, verify devices, or change sharing settings—it just works.
Another useful feature is that the QR code can be scanned by multiple devices. This is ideal if you need to send the same files to multiple people, for example sharing event photos with friends or documents with colleagues. For anyone who’s ever struggled with Quick Share not detecting nearby devices or just not working, this QR code option could be a game-changer.
This update is part of Google’s December 2024 feature package, which aims to make Android more versatile. While Quick Share itself isn’t new, the addition of QR code support is a welcome improvement. This makes the process more reliable, especially in situations where devices don’t appear in the nearby list – a common frustration for many Android users.
Interestingly, Samsung users might find this feature familiar. Galaxy devices have had their own version of QR code-based sharing in Samsung Quick Share for a while now. However, Samsung’s version includes a few extra features, like the ability to share files via Samsung Cloud. These extras are still exclusive to Galaxy devices, but Google’s new update means QR code sharing is now available on all Android phones, not just Samsung ones.
