How to Use WiFi Direct on Android: Connecting & Sharing Images

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This wikiHow teaches you how to connect to other mobile and desktop devices via Wi-Fi Direct, using Android.

Method 1 of 2:

Connecting to a Device

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\n"> Open your Android's Apps list. This is the list of all apps installed on your device.

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\n"> Find and tap the

icon. It will open your Settings app. Advertisement

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Tap Wi-Fi on your Settings menu. Here you can change your Wi-Fi settings, and connect to other devices.

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\n"> Slide the Wi-Fi switch to the

position. You have to enable your device's Wi-Fi before you can use Wi-Fi Direct.

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Tap the three vertical dots icon. This button is in the upper-right corner of your screen. It will open a drop-down menu.

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Depending on your device and current software, the Wi-Fi Direct button may be located at the bottom of your screen on the Wi-Fi page, instead of a drop-down menu.

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Tap a device to connect. Tapping will send an invitation to the device you've selected. Your contact will have 30 seconds to accept the invitation and connect with you via Wi-Fi Direct.

Advertisement Method 2 of 2:

Sharing Images

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\n"> Open your device's image gallery.

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Tap and hold an image. This will highlight the image file, and reveal new icons at the top of your screen.

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\n"> Tap the

icon. This is the Share button. It will open a new window where you can select an app to share this file.

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Tap Wi-Fi Direct . It will open a list of devices around you available for a Wi-Fi Direct file transfer.

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Tap a device on the list. Your contact will receive a notification on their device, asking if they want to accept a file transfer from you. If they accept, they will receive the image you're sending on their device.

Community Q&A

How do I deactivate the function on my phone that connects it to a network that isn't mine? Community Answer

Assuming your phone is running Android and you're auto-connecting to a neighbor's open WiFi network, go into Settings, then WiFi, and find the list of networks. The network in question should say "connected." Long press it and set it to exclude.

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How do I turn off WiFi Direct? Community Answer Go to the setting, then look for WiFi settings, then just turn off the WiFi.

When I try to connect my phone to my TV using screen share, my TV shows me a message saying, "please try again after closing the screen share app". What does this mean?

Community Answer Turn off the app. Start anew. You could also turn off the TV if you want but it's not necessary.

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Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Some mobile devices may require a third-party app for Wi-Fi Direct file transfers. Advertisement