WhatsApp appears to be taking inspiration from Apple, as recently found evidence suggests that the platform is working on its own version of AirDrop. The feature was initially discovered by WABetaInfo in a Android Beta April 2024. It has since resurfaced in a iOS Beta under the new name Nearby Share.
According to the report, Nearby Share will allow users to send various file types (such as photos, videos, and text documents) to other smartphones in their vicinity without the need for an internet connection. Not needing an internet connection is a big deal, as it allows people to move large files when they are under “limited or unstable network coverage.” However, the way the feature works on operating systems will differ.
Sharing between systems
On Android, it works similarly to AirDrop. WhatsApp can share files freely, as long as your phone can “find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices.” Additionally, the recipient must also grant permission for others to receive anything. There are limitations on iOS, however.
The iPhone version requires users to scan a QR code to initiate the file sharing process as it does not support the nearby device detection method. It is unknown why WhatsApp is switching to QR codes on iOS. Android Authority theorizes that it could be an extra layer of security to prevent malicious files from reaching your smartphone. Others, such as 9To5Macthink this “could be due to iOS limitations.”
WABetaInfo claims that end-to-end encryption will protect files sent via Nearby Share, just like all WhatsApp messages. What’s really interesting is that the feature is apparently set to “work across platforms, including Android and iOS.” Users won’t be burdened by OS restrictions, which could make it superior to AirDrop.
Awaiting launch
Development of Nearby Share is still ongoing. Meta is reportedly busy refining the tool’s design and ironing out details “regarding permissions (and) privacy measures.” As the company tests the software, certain aspects will likely be tweaked over time and may not make it into a final version.
There’s no word on when the feature will be released. WABetaInfo claims that an official launch date “remains uncertain due to various factors.” Nearby Share isn’t currently available for testers, but if you want to try out other features, you can download the latest WhatsApp beta from Google Play and Apple’s TestFlight.
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