Here's How Google's New 'Tap to Share' Android Feature Works

Jake Peterson Jake Peterson Senior Technology Editor ExperienceJake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Tech Editor, and has been covering tech news and how-tos for nearly a decade. His team covers all things technology, including AI, smartphones, computers, game consoles, and subscriptions. Read Full Bio August 13, 2026 Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google Credit: Ivan-balvan via Getty Images Key Takeaways Google's new "Tap to Share" feature lets you share files and contact info by bringing your Android phones together. The company announced the new feature on Wednesday as part of Made by Google 2026. The feature is launching on Pixel 6 and newer, and will arrive soon on select Samsung Galaxy devices. Table of Contents Google made a lot of announcements on Wednesday, all of them hours before its official Made by Google event. The company announced 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, one would be forgiven for assuming it was a hardware-only event. And yet, Google also revealed a number of software features, as well. The Pixel Watch received much of the attention here, as the company announced that its smartwatches will soon track trends in insulin resistance, blood pressure, and sleep habits, but the Pixel wasn't left out of the conversation either. In fact, Android devices across the board are getting one new feature that seems particularly useful: Tap to Share.Tap to Share appears to live up to its name. According to Google, all you need to do to use it is take your compatible Android device and place it near another compatible Android device. When you do, you'll pull up each other's contact cards, making it an easy way to share phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact info with someone new on Android. However, the feature isn't limited to digital business cards. You can also use it to share photos, videos, and other files from your Android to another. To use it, open the file in question, then launch the Share Sheet. Then, bring your phone close to the other user's. Now, instead of your contact cards, Android will send over your file. What do you think so far? While Google might have announced this feature alongside the launch of the Pixel 11, it works with a lot of Google phones. The company says you'll be able to use Tap to Share on Pixel 6 and newer, which spans the entirety of Google's current supported Pixel devices. In addition, Google says Tap to Share is coming to some Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8, and will expand to even more devices by the end of 2026. Tap to Share is, of course, similar to Apple's NameDrop feature on iOS, down to the contact card default. However, Android beat Apple to the punch originally. This is essentially an evolution of Android Beam, a discontinued feature that let you send data over NFC. And while the feature won't work with iPhones, Google and Apple do offer a quick sharing option for users trying to share from Android to iPhone, and vice versa. Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better. Our Mission Our Team Newsletter © 2001-2026 Ziff Davis, LLC., A ZIFF DAVIS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Lifehacker is a federally registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of Lifehacker. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.