Sharing files on Android

Learn how to send and receive files securely and easily over Meshnet 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:

Note

You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on device ownership:

Send files

You can initiate a file transfer from the NordVPN app or using the Android sharing menu.

Method 1: From the NordVPN app

  1. In your NordVPN app, do any of the following:

    • Select Profile > Meshnet and tap Share files.

      Clicking the 'Share files' button on the Meshnet menu in the NordVPN app.

    • Select Profile > 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.

The file transfer begins when the recipient accepts your download request on their device. For details, consult the appropriate guides:

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

Note

Make sure that Meshnet is enabled on your device to receive the file transfer request from the sender.

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.

Note

You can also see all available transfer requests by navigating to Profile > Meshnet > View file transfers.

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 Profile > 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 Profile > 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.

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

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