How-To

How to Send Apps Between Android Phones

By Brian Burgess

Updated January 12, 2024

If you want an easy way to move apps from one Android device to another, you can send apps between Android phones with Nearby Share.

It goes without saying that apps on your Android phone or tablet are vital to the user experience. So, when you find a cool app, you may want to share it with other users and send apps between Android phones.

For instance, you might find a great game you tell a friend about. You can share the app with them instead of just telling them the name and waiting for them to get on their device. And all you need to do is have your phones nearby. Then, you can share the app(s) directly with another person, which saves them the time of remembering the name, finding it in the Play Store, and installing it themselves.

So, in this guide, we’ll show you how to send apps to another Android phone or tablet and save them the hassle of finding it themselves. Here’s how to do it.

Send Apps Between Android Phones via Nearby Share

Google’s Nearby Share features on Android aren’t just for sharing files between your phone or Android device. In fact, the feature is similar to AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, and macOS.

You only need to have the person’s phone nearby to share apps between Android devices. In addition, you can use another phone to transfer apps to ensure you have the right apps on other devices.

The Nearby Share feature for the Play Store is built in and allows you to send apps and games to other phones or tablets. It saves other users the hassle of finding and installing certain apps.

How to Send Apps Between Android Phones

As we mentioned, the Nearby Share feature is built into the Play Store, and sending apps between devices is straightforward using the following steps.

1. Launch the Google Play Store on the Android phone you want to send apps from.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Manage apps & device from the menu that appears.
4. Tap the Send button in the Share apps section.
5. Select the Allow option when the verification message appears.
6. Scroll through the list of installed apps and select the ones you want to share with the other device.
7. Tap the Send icon in the top right corner of the menu to send the apps to the other device.
8. On the other device, if you want to receive apps, open Play Store > Manage apps & device and select the Receive button.
9. If prompted, choose the option to give Google Play Store access to the device’s location.
10. On the phone sending the apps, select the receiver phone you’re sending the apps to.
11. A pairing code will appear on both devices; ensure both pairing codes match. To begin the transfer process, you can select Receive on the receiving phone if the pair codes match.
12. The transfer process will complete, and the user of the other phone must tap the Install button (or the Install all option) for multiple transferred apps. The time it takes will vary depending on the phone’s connection speed and number of apps being transferred.

Sending Apps Between Android Phones

When you need an easy method to share apps with a friend or get multiple apps on your other phone or tablet, it’s helpful to be able to send apps between Android phones.

Keep in mind your devices need to be in close proximity for Nearby Share to work. The closer, the better. For example, you can use it with a coworker sitting across your desk. But it won’t work if you are clear across the office or on another floor.