WhatsApp Introduces AirDrop-Like File-Sharing for Offline Device Transfers
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Popular messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new feature that allows users to share files without an internet connection. This offline file-sharing capability, dubbed “Nearby Share,” is similar to Apple’s AirDrop feature.
The feature was initially spotted on the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.15.10.70. It allows users to share photos, videos, and other media by scanning a QR code generated on the sender’s device. This QR code can be scanned by other nearby devices to initiate file sharing.
“Nearby Share” provides a seamless and convenient way to exchange files between two devices in close proximity. WhatsApp users who are part of the beta testing program may have already received the feature. Non-beta testers can sign up for the TesFlight app to join the program and access the latest updates.
The feature was previously seen in WhatsApp for Android version 2.24.2.20, where it required users to search for nearby devices instead of using a QR code. However, it is believed that both versions implement the same offline file-sharing functionality.
WhatsApp has yet to officially announce or confirm the feature, but its appearance in the beta version suggests its imminent arrival. Typically, features tested in the beta version typically make their way to the stable version within a few months to a year.
The introduction of offline file sharing on WhatsApp could enhance the platform’s versatility and convenience for users who may not always have an active internet connection. It also aligns with the growing trend of peer-to-peer file transfer technologies that prioritize speed and ease of use.
