Here’s How Google’s New One-Tap Share Feature Works on Android.
Google made a slew of announcements on Wednesday, all of which took place just hours before its official Made by Google event . The company unveiled the new Pixel 11 series (including the Pixel 11 Pro Fold), the Galaxy Watch 5 , and even the long-rumored Pixel Tag. There were so many announcements that one might think the event was solely about hardware.
However, Google also introduced a number of software features. The Pixel Watch attracted particular attention, as the company announced that its smartwatch would soon track insulin resistance, blood pressure, and sleep patterns, but the Pixel didn’t stay idle. Moreover, all Android devices are getting one new feature that seems particularly useful: “Share a Touch.”
How Google’s new Tap to Share feature works
The Tap to Share app seems to live up to its name. According to Google , to use it, simply hold a compatible Android device near another compatible Android device. This will display each other’s contact cards, making it easy to share phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information with new Android users.
However, this feature isn’t limited to digital business cards. You can also use it to share photos, videos, and other files from your Android device with another user. To do this, open the desired file, then launch the “Share” menu. Then, hold your phone close to the other user’s phone. Now, instead of your contact cards, Android will send you the file.
While Google announced this feature alongside the release of the Pixel 11, it works with many Google phones. The company says you’ll be able to use Tap to Share on the Pixel 6 and newer, which covers all currently supported Pixel devices. Google also says Tap to Share will be coming to select Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8, and will be available on even more devices by the end of 2026.
Tap to Share is certainly similar to Apple’s NameDrop feature in iOS , right down to the default use of a contact card. However, Android beat Apple to the punch. It’s essentially an evolution of Android Beam , a discontinued feature that allowed data transfer via NFC. While this feature won’t work with iPhones, Google and Apple offer a quick way for users to share data from Android to iPhone and vice versa.