# Sharing files on Android This guide provides the information you need to start sharing files over Meshnet on Android. ## Before you begin Make sure that the device you want to share files with meets the following criteria: * The device is connected to your Meshnet. * The [file sharing permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/explaining-permissions/file-sharing-permissions) are granted. {% hint style="info" %} **Note** You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on device ownership: * To add your own device, just enable Meshnet on that device. See [Using Meshnet on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/getting-started/how-to-start-using-meshnet/using-meshnet-on-android#add-your-own-devices) for details. * To add an external device, send an invitation via the NordVPN app with the owner's email. Ensure the invitation is accepted. See [Adding external Meshnet devices on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-external-meshnet-devices-on-android). {% endhint %} ## Send files You can initiate a file transfer from the [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com/download/android/) app or using the Android sharing menu. {% hint style="success" %} **Tip** You can initiate file transfers even if the desired peer device is offline. The device will receive the transfer notification as soon as it becomes active. If the **Always accept transfers** option is enabled, the transfer starts automatically without needing confirmation. {% endhint %} ### Method 1: From the NordVPN app 1. In your **NordVPN** app, do any of the following: * Select **Products** > **Meshnet** and tap **Share files**.
Clicking the 'Share files' button on the Meshnet menu in the NordVPN app.
* Select **Products** > **Meshnet** , tap **View file transfers**, and select the plus (+) button in the lower-right corner.
Rectangular plus (+) button highlighted on the File transfers view.
2. In the file manager, select the file or the group of files you want to share and confirm your choice.
Five files selected in the file manager to be included in the Meshnet file transfer.
3. Select the Meshnet device you want to share the files with. You can choose multiple devices if needed.
File transfer's recipient selected.
\ When sending multiple files, you can review the files' details before starting the transfer by tapping the paperclip button.
Tapping the paperclip button under 'Share files'.
4. Tap **Send to 1 device**. (If multiple devices are selected, the button is labeled with the number of selected devices). 5. Monitor the transfer's status and process on the **File transfers** screen.
The 'File transfers' screen of the NordVPN app showing the pending outgoing transfer.
\ You can tap the arrow icon to see individual files included in the transfer and their progress. {% hint style="success" %} **Tip** Meshnet allows you to launch multiple file transfers to various peer devices at the same time. {% endhint %} The file transfer begins when the recipient accepts your download request on their device. For details, consult the appropriate guides: * [Receive shared files on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-windows#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-receivesharedfiles) * [Receive shared files on Android](#sharingfilesovermeshnetonandroid-receivesharedfiles) * [Receive shared files on iOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-ios#sharingfilesovermeshnetonios-receivesharedfiles) * [Receive shared files on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-macos#sharingfilesovermeshnetonmacos-receivesharedfiles) * [Receive shared files on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-linux#sharingfilesovermeshnetonlinux-receivesharedfiles) * [Receive shared files on Android TV](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-androidtv#receive-shared-files) ### Method 2: Using the Android sharing menu 1. On your device, select the file or group of files you want to share. This can be a photo, video, document, or any other type of file. 2. Tap your device’s **Share** button.
Share button highlighted.
3. Do either of the following: * Select **NordVPN** from the list of apps, and then select the Meshnet device you want to share the file with. * Select the device from the list of available Meshnet devices that have been most recently used.
Meshnet peers highlighted in the Android sharing menu.
## Receive shared files {% hint style="info" %} **Note** Make sure that Meshnet is enabled on your device to receive the file transfer request from the sender. {% endhint %} When a Meshnet peer sends files to your device, the transfer request is prompted in the NordVPN app and as a system notification, if NordVPN notifications are allowed. ### Method 1: From the NordVPN app 1. Open **NordVPN**. 2. Preview the contents of the transfer. * A single file transfer request displays the file type and its name.
Name of the file highlighted in the in-app transfer request notification.
* For transfers containing multiple files, tap the paperclip button to view the list of included files. You can opt to download all files included in the transfer or select specific ones for download.
Content of the transfer highlighted in the in-app transfer request notification.
3. Tap **Accept** to save the file to your device’s storage. If prompted, allow NordVPN to access photos, media, and files on your device. {% hint style="info" %} **Note** You can also see all available transfer requests by navigating to **Products** > **Meshnet** > **View file transfers**. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **Tip** File transfer requests in the NordVPN app contain an **Always accept transfers from this device** checkbox. You can select it to accept future transfers from this sender automatically. {% endhint %} ### Method 2: From the notification tray You must have NordVPN notifications enabled in your device's system settings to receive Meshnet file transfer notifications. 1. Locate the file transfer request notification in your device's notification tray.
Collapsed system notification about a received transfer request.
2. Expand the notification to preview the contents of the transfer. * A notification for a single file transfer will display the file's name and size.
Expanded system notification about a single-file transfer request.
* A notification for a transfer containing multiple files will show the number of files in the transfer.
Expanded system notification about a multiple-file transfer request.
3. Download the shared files. If prompted, allow NordVPN to access photos, media, and files on your device. * For a single file transfer, tap **Accept** to save the file to your device’s storage. * For a transfer with several files, tap **Review**, choose the files you want to download, and tap **Accept selected**. ### Locate downloaded files Transferred files are automatically placed in the system's default download directory with no option to manually change the destination. To locate the files you downloaded, do any of the following: * Navigate to your device’s downloads folder using a file manager. * In the NordVPN app, go to **Products** > **Meshnet** > **View file transfers**. Tap the three-dot menu next to the transfer and select **Open file location**.
"Open file location" option from the three-dot menu highlighted.
## Monitor and manage transfers To monitor and handle all Meshnet transfers, go to **Products** > **Meshnet** , and under **Share files**, tap **View file transfers**.
Manage all pending transfers You can accept all pending transfers or decline them by choosing the respective options in the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the **File transfers** screen. Screenshot of the File Transfers screen. The three-dot menu is expanded, revealing two options: "Accept all pending transfers" and "Decline all pending transfers."
Cancel transfers * To cancel a specific file transfer that is active or queued, tap the Cancel (x) button next to the transfer and select **Cancel transfer** to confirm.
Cancel button highlighted.
* To cancel all active or queued transfers, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, select **Cancel all downloads** or **Cancel all sent transfers**, and tap **Cancel all** to confirm.
"Cancel all downloads" and "Cancel all sent transfers" options of the three-dot menu highlighted.
Clear your transfer history * To remove a completed file transfer from your history, tap the three-dot menu next to the transfer, and select **Remove from history**.
"Remove from history" option from the three-dot menu highlighted.
* To remove all completed file transfers, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and select **Clear transfer history**.
"Clear transfer history" option from the three-dot menu highlighted.
## See also * [Sharing files on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-windows) * [Sharing files on iOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-ios) * [Sharing files on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-macos) * [Sharing files on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-linux) * [Sharing files on Android TV](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-androidtv)