How to Share Apps on Android Bluetooth

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College.

This article has been viewed 443,656 times.

Androids let you share files over Bluetooth, including images, sounds, and videos. While you can't share installed apps through Bluetooth, you can share links to app downloads in the Play Store via Bluetooth, as well as Android Beam. You can also share APK files, which are used to install apps on Android over Bluetooth.

1. Enable Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Go to the app's page in the Google Play Store.
3. Tap ⋮ in the top-right corner and select Share.
4. Tap the Bluetooth icon and select the other device.
5. Tap Accept on the receiving device to accept the link.

Sharing Google Play Store Links over Bluetooth

• Swipe down from the top of the screen.
• Tap and hold the icon that resembles a jagged "B" with a tail (the Bluetooth icon).
• Tap the toggle switch to turn Bluetooth on (if it's not already on).

on the sending phone or tablet. The Google Play Store has an icon that resembles a colorful play triangle. Tap the icon to open the Google Play Store.

Type the name of the app you want to share in the search bar. The search bar is at the top of the screen. This displays a list of apps that match your search.

Tap the name of the app you want to share. It should be in the list of search results. This opens the information screen of the app you want to share.

Tap Share . It's the first option in the menu that appears in the upper-right corner. This displays options you can use to share the link.

icon. It's the blue icon that has a blue icon with the Bluetooth icon. It resembles a jagged capital "B" with a tail. Your phone or tablet will start scanning for other devices to send the link to.

Tap the name of the phone or tablet you want to send the link to. As long as the receiving phone or tablet has the Bluetooth menu open, it should appear in the list of available devices when the sending phone or tablet scans for nearby devices.

Tap Accept on the receiving phone or tablet. The receiving phone or tablet will receive an alert says another phone or tablet is sending them a link. Tap Accept in the alert to accept the link.

• If you are asked to select a web browser to open the link in, tap the web browser of your choice and tap Always.

Tap the link at the top of the web browser. The URL to the app appears in small text at the top of the web browser. Tap the link to open it in the Google Play Store on the receiving device.

Tap Install . It's the green button below the app name in the Google Play Store app info page. This installs the app on the receiving device.

Using Android Beam

• Open the Settings menu.
• Tap the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner.
• Tap the NFC option.
• Tap the Toggle Switch to turn NFC on (if not already on).
• Tap the Toggle Switch to turn Android Beam on (on some devices, the Android Beam option may be under the NFC menu option).

on the sending phone or tablet. The Google Play Store has an icon that resembles a colorful play triangle. Tap the icon to open the Google Play Store.

Type the name of the app you want to share in the search bar. The search bar is at the top of the screen. This displays a list of apps that match your search.

Tap the name of the app you want to share. It should be in the list of search results. This opens the information screen of the app you want to share.

Tap Share . It's the first option in the menu that appears in the upper-right corner. This displays options you can use to share the link.

Tap the Android Beam option. It has a blue icon with the Bluetooth icon in the center. The Bluetooth icon resembles a jagged "B" with a tail.

Place the receiving phone or tablet and the sending phone or tablet back-to-back. This will automatically send the link from the sending phone or tablet to the receiving phone or tablet. Once the link is received on the receiving phone or tablet, it will automatically open the link in the Google Play Store.

Tap Install on the receiving phone or tablet. It's the green button below the app name in the Google Play Store app info page. This installs the app on the receiving device.

Sharing APK Files over Bluetooth

• Warning: Some APK files found on the internet are not safe and may contain viruses and malware. Only download APK files from trusted sources.

• On Samsung Galaxy devices, the My Files app can be found in the Samsung folder in the Apps menu.

Tap the Downloads or Installation Files folder. Both are listed under the "Categories" section. The Downloads folder contains all downloaded files on your phone or tablet. The Installation Files folder contains APK files.

Tap and hold the APK file for the app you want to send. This displays a checkmark icon next to the APK file.

icon. It's the blue icon that has a blue icon with the Bluetooth icon. It resembles a jagged capital "B" with a tail. Your phone or tablet will start scanning for other devices to send the link to.

Tap the name of the phone or tablet you want to send the file to. As long as the receiving phone or tablet has the Bluetooth menu open, it should appear in the list of available devices when the sending phone or tablet scans for nearby devices.

Tap Accept on the receiving phone or tablet. The receiving phone or tablet will receive an alert says another phone or tablet is sending them a file. Tap Accept in the alert to accept the file.

• Open the Google Play Store.
• Type "APK Installer" or the name of the app you want to install in the search bar.
• Tap the name of the app in the search results.
• Tap Install.

• On Samsung Galaxy devices, the My Files app can be found in the Samsung folder in the Apps menu.

Tap the Downloads or Installation Files folder. Both are listed under the "Categories" section. The Downloads folder contains all downloaded files on your phone or tablet. The Installation Files folder contains APK files.

• In order to install apps from APK files, you must allow apps from unknown sources in the Settings menu.

Follow any instructions needed to install the app. This will install the app on the receiving phone or tablet.

Community Q&A

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Tips

You Might Also Like

4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android

3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet

The Ultimate Guide to Hiding Caller ID on Android

Unzip Files on Android for Free with Files by Google