Sharing files between nearby mobile phones is becoming easier thanks to WhatsApp who works on it. We know that we can do this if we open a chat, but the idea is to do it with proximity technology.
WhatsApp seeks to emulate the action that Android's Quick Share performs to share files by simply bringing the phones closer. Let's see what it is about, how it works and when it will be available in the stable version for Android.
New WhatsApp feature to share files without opening the chat
Sharing files from WhatsApp is extremely simple, we just open a chat and press the attach button and select the format to send. Well, the novelty is that this action can now be carried out, but without opening any message, just by bringing the mobile phones closer and activating the functionality.
It will serve for Share files between users who are nearby and not have to go to the chat and carry out the entire process of attaching the file. We only select what we are going to send and using a WhatsApp radar it will find nearby devices.
This radar will be activated by a user request, very similar to when we look for nearby Bluetooth connections to connect. An animated image of a radar will be enabled, with WhatsApp colors just as if you were searching for ships on the high seas or planes in space.
This functionality was known in the WhatsApp coding where the tool is enabled with the name "thunderstorm«. You just have to press the start of the search, the window with the radar will be displayed and then the list of nearby devices.
To use the function, WhatsApp will ask to activate Bluetooth in case of not having assets. In addition, it will include a linking code to ensure that when sharing the files it is with the authorized nearby device. The system will do the process automatically without having to open the chat with the user.
The most interesting thing about the news is that the function of sharing files between nearby devices without opening a chat in WhatsApp, It will be available for both iOS and Android. This implies that, it will not matter what operating system the mobile phone has, documents, photos, videos and other content can be sent between devices.
At the moment, the functionality is in a development phase, especially the scanner option which takes time. However, the leaked images show that the advances are significant and will surely be available sooner rather than later in the stable version of WhatsApp for Android and iOS. What do you think of this development?