Can't send from Mac to a Samsung device after the Quick Share update

[grishka]

This is a known issue. Please don't write about it unless you have anything to add.

Unfortunately, there is currently no solution I can apply on my side because macOS doesn't allow apps to send Bluetooth broadcasts that Android listens for to become visible, and the Google Files workaround no longer works on Samsung devices.

The one remaining, atrocious workaround, is if you have a second Android device, you can open the "send" screen in Quick Share/Nearby Share on it, and then your Samsung device will become visible on the Mac as well.

Now, Google does recognize this limitation of Apple operating systems, and does provide a solution, but, unfortunately, it is currently disabled with a server-side flag. I don't know when or if they will enable it.

On non-Samsung devices, the Google Files workaround, as well as the intent shortcut, still work.

[kabelklaus]

It looks like that the workaround still doesn't work with Google files.

[ezBeanie]

Firstly, I thought the marriage of NearbyShare and QuickShare is a good thing, made things less redundant...
Any ideas how to research a new workaround?
On my S24 Ultra, i can confirm that none of the two workarounds to receive files from Mac are working...

[irwanmarwanto]

i cant use it to send large/big size file. at avg it only can send aroung 5MB or 10MB at top. is there anything to fix this issue?

[Halcyon414]

I just create hardcore shortcut which sets Nearby share to pairing mode. Set up new Requested link and type Nearby Share into search bar and simply create new shortcut. Using this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rk.android.app.shortcutmaker&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1

[Pal-FC]

I just create hardcore shortcut which sets Nearby share to pairing mode. Set up new Requested link and type Nearby Share into search bar and simply create new shortcut. Using this app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rk.android.app.shortcutmaker&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1

I didn't understand what the activity is called, can you give more information?

[Addovej]

I just create hardcore shortcut which sets Nearby share to pairing mode. Set up new Requested link and type Nearby Share into search bar and simply create new shortcut. Using this app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rk.android.app.shortcutmaker&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1

Yes, could you please provide more details? I found in this application "Requested" section, but there no any items with "near" word. Do you use Samsung Galaxy?

[Pal-FC]

it works fine for me on my galaxy s23 & m1 macbook air. when you share, you have to press the quick share icon, it won't just pop up like other devices do, it's available under the "share to devices nearby" section.

This issue talks about sharing from Mac to Samsung. Sharing from Samsung to Mac works.

[satheeshwaran]

First of all, great job with this app.

I am using the Oneplus 11 and facing this issue when sending files from my Mac to Android. The share intent keeps loading. I also have the update on Android for the quick share.

Also, I don't see the Receive option anywhere on the Google files app.

[elabda3company]

is there any fix for this issue ?

[grishka]

is there any fix for this issue ?

Have you tried reading what you're commenting on?

[ezBeanie]

As of today, with the latest version of NearDrop, receiving and sending files works for me in both directions.
Edit: But the Samsung phone is not visible to receive files without a workaround. Sorry for bringing your hopes up people.

[Addovej]

As of today, with the latest version of NearDrop, receiving and sending files works for me in both directions.

Do you mean it works on your Samsung phone with Quick Share?

[ezBeanie]

I have to correct my last statement: My S24 Ultra is only visible to share to when another regular quickshare device (in my case a windows laptop) is looking for receivers when sending a file via quickshare. When my device appears, the transfer works flawlessly.
The other way works without any hickups, i.e. sending from my S24 Ultra to my Macbook.

[MerBudd]

Not sure if I missed anything but both my Samsung phone (S23 Ultra) and tablet (Tab S9+) are now able to send AND recieve, even when no other device is there in the list (unlike what @ezBeanie said)

[TomBell-Trove]

I'm unable to receive on my Google Pixel 6 (Android 14) from my MBP (Sonama 14.5)

The Google Files app no longer has a Nearby Share option. Apparently the new way to get there is via the 'Quick Share' quick setting in the status bar drawer but none of the toggles within (your devices/contacts/everyone) make the phone visible in my mac.

I've tried turning Quick Share off and on again, re-attempting the share after changing the nearby share 'who can share with you' toggle, no dice

Using the workaround does work but obviously not ideal:

1. install Activity Launcher
2. search for ReceiveSurfaceActivity and click the ... menu to create a shortcut to it
3. click that shortcut when you want the phone to be an available option using neardrop on pc

[nezorflame]

Using the workaround does work but obviously not ideal

@TomBell-Trove how did you launch the activity?
Found it with the Activity Launcher, it's called com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.InternalReceiveSurfaceActivity.
But I'm unable to launch it - it throws the "PermissionDenial" exception.

[TomBell-Trove]

@nezorflame That's not it, look for com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.ReceiveSurfaceActivity

[hashangit]

I'm unable to receive on my Google Pixel 6 (Android 14) from my MBP (Sonama 14.5)

The Google Files app no longer has a Nearby Share option. Apparently the new way to get there is via the 'Quick Share' quick setting in the status bar drawer but none of the toggles within (your devices/contacts/everyone) make the phone visible in my mac.

I've tried turning Quick Share off and on again, re-attempting the share after changing the nearby share 'who can share with you' toggle, no dice

Using the workaround does work but obviously not ideal:

1. install Activity Launcher
2. search for ReceiveSurfaceActivity and click the ... menu to create a shortcut to it com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.ReceiveSurfaceActivity
3. click that shortcut when you want the phone to be an available option using neardrop on pc

Can Confirm that this works like a charm with my Pixel 6 and M1 MacBook Air
Edit: Both ways

[nezorflame]

@nezorflame That's not it, look for com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.ReceiveSurfaceActivity

Yeah, seems that in my case it's missing

[danieeelfc]

Can Confirm that this works like a charm with my Pixel 6 and M1 MacBook Air Edit: Both ways

Not working with Pixel 8 Pro and M1

[caiowilson]

macbook pro m3 pro, samsung s23 ultra, no dice. using kde connect for clipboard and stuff like that and localsend/macdroid for big files

[marcoslor]

It looks like the workaround activity does not exist on current GPS on OneUI 4.1

[richardrebeco]

I can share if I select the "Activar Compartir en privado" on quick share (three dots at right top corner) and while the macbook pro is looking for a device to share with Nearby.

[isXander]

Google is re-adding the "receive" feature in Google Files

https://9to5google.com/2024/10/07/files-by-google-receive-fab/

[Pal-FC]

Google is re-adding the "receive" feature in Google Files

https://9to5google.com/2024/10/07/files-by-google-receive-fab/

In Samsung, the Google Files application in the version specified in the article does not have a receive button.

[isXander]

Possibly A/B testing. This is present on Pixel phones. This might mean the activity that can be opened via shortcuts might have returned?

[isXander]

Yes, in GMS:
com.google.android.gms.nearby.sharing.ReceiveSurfaceActivity

[caiowilson]

no dice on Samsung S21 Ultra (SM-G998B)

[beatu2it]

Same here with S22 (SM-S901E)

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[grishka]

Please stop saying "me too" and "same here". You're just flooding me with notifications without adding any information.

[Delocalized-electron]

I discovered a workaround for the issue. Here's what you'll need:

An additional Android device (besides your Samsung device and Mac)
Steps:

1.Share a file from your Mac to your Samsung device. Even if your Mac doesn't immediately find your Samsung (Don't lose hope yet).
2.Share a file from the other Android device (not the Samsung (not sure if samsung will work)) using quick share. Keep the sharing window open where you see mac and your samsung phone.
3.Return to your Mac. Your Samsung device should now be visible and ready to receive files.
4.Select your Samsung device and VOILA Your file will be transferred from your Mac to your Samsung.

Looks like samsung quickshare is some quantum stuff so if some other android is observing it then its visible to mac too.

[ndesgranges]

You are not adding anything new (see @ezBeanie's comment).

Please read the thread before posting, so everyone here who subscribed to the notifications don't get spammed.

Quick sum up

• This is about SAMSUNG, not the other devices
• This is only in the way Mac -> Samsung. Not the other way
• The issue lies in the way the phone makes itself discoverable. This is why there are talks about the Google files / nearby shortcut to trigger this manually. none of these workarounds work on Samsung devices as of today.
• as grishka said, please don't comment if you don't add anything new
• Please don't comment if this is not about Samsung or the Mac->Samsung way

[MerBudd]

Now, Google does recognize this limitation of Apple operating systems, and does provide a solution, but, unfortunately, it is currently disabled with a server-side flag. I don't know when or if they will enable it.

Any news on this one? The last message in that issue was on August

[MDXDave]

It seems that Google is working on a native implementation for MacOS: https://9to5google.com/2024/11/01/google-quick-share-macos-ios-hint/

[Cardboard231]

Could someone please make it clear on the read me if this is universal for Samsung.

I am not sure if:
a) if your samsung cannot be seen then it is experiencing this known issue, or if
b) all samsungs do not support mac -> android transfer.

[MerBudd]

No Samsungs can be seen. HOWEVER, if you have a non-Samsung Android device, then it can be seen and the transfer can be completed.

[pcarmonac]

I'm unable to receive on my Google Pixel 6 (Android 14) from my MBP (Sonama 14.5)

The Google Files app no longer has a Nearby Share option. Apparently the new way to get there is via the 'Quick Share' quick setting in the status bar drawer but none of the toggles within (your devices/contacts/everyone) make the phone visible in my mac.

I've tried turning Quick Share off and on again, re-attempting the share after changing the nearby share 'who can share with you' toggle, no dice

Using the workaround does work but obviously not ideal:

1. install [Activity Launcher](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher)

2. search for `ReceiveSurfaceActivity` and click the ... menu to create a shortcut to it

3. click that shortcut when you want the phone to be an available option using neardrop on pc

I tried to start the service as a user or as root and in both cases it gave me the same error
Samsung A54
Android 13
UI 5.1

Congrats @grishka for this piece of app, thanks

[caiowilson]

OMG READ THE WHOLE THREAD!

[MerBudd]

I'm unable to receive on my Google Pixel 6 (Android 14) from my MBP (Sonama 14.5)

The Google Files app no longer has a Nearby Share option. Apparently the new way to get there is via the 'Quick Share' quick setting in the status bar drawer but none of the toggles within (your devices/contacts/everyone) make the phone visible in my mac.

I've tried turning Quick Share off and on again, re-attempting the share after changing the nearby share 'who can share with you' toggle, no dice

Using the workaround does work but obviously not ideal:

1. install [Activity Launcher](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher)

2. search for `ReceiveSurfaceActivity` and click the ... menu to create a shortcut to it

3. click that shortcut when you want the phone to be an available option using neardrop on pc

I tried to start the service as a user or as root and in both cases it gave me the same error
Samsung A54
Android 13
UI 5.1

Congrats @grishka for this piece of app, thanks

It literally isn't a method for Samsung. There's no workaround for Samsung yet 🤦‍♂️

[roastpie]

I discovered a workaround for the issue. Here's what you'll need:

An additional Android device (besides your Samsung device and Mac) Steps:

1.Share a file from your Mac to your Samsung device. Even if your Mac doesn't immediately find your Samsung (Don't lose hope yet). 2.Share a file from the other Android device (not the Samsung (not sure if samsung will work)) using quick share. Keep the sharing window open where you see mac and your samsung phone. 3.Return to your Mac. Your Samsung device should now be visible and ready to receive files. 4.Select your Samsung device and VOILA Your file will be transferred from your Mac to your Samsung.

Looks like samsung quickshare is some quantum stuff so if some other android is observing it then its visible to mac too.

Thanks a lot for this workaround, @Delocalized-electron! I followed the steps and used Samsung in step 2, and it worked perfectly. Really awesome!