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

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

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Connecting to a Device

  1. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 1
    1
    Open your Android's Apps list. This is the list of all apps installed on your device.
  2. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 2
    2
    Find and tap the
    Android 7 Settings App
    icon.     It will open your Settings app.
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  3. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 3
    3
    Tap Wi-Fi on your Settings menu. Here you can change your Wi-Fi settings, and connect to other devices.
  4. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 4
    4
    Slide the Wi-Fi switch to the
    Android 7 System Switch On
    position.     You have to enable your device's Wi-Fi before you can use Wi-Fi Direct.
  5. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 5
    5
    Tap the three vertical dots icon. This button is in the upper-right corner of your screen. It will open a drop-down menu.
  6. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 6
    6
    Tap Wi-Fi Direct on the drop-down menu. This will scan your surroundings, and list all devices around you available for a Wi-Fi Direct connection.
    • 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.
  7. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 7
    7
    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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Sharing Images

  1. 1
    Open your device's image gallery.
  2. 2
    Tap and hold an image. This will highlight the image file, and reveal new icons at the top of your screen.
  3. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 10
    3
    Tap the
    Android Share
    icon.     This is the Share button. It will open a new window where you can select an app to share this file.
  4. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 11
    4
    Tap Wi-Fi Direct. It will open a list of devices around you available for a Wi-Fi Direct file transfer.
  5. Image titled Use WiFi Direct on Android Step 12
    5
    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.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I deactivate the function on my phone that connects it to a network that isn't mine?
    sysprog
    sysprog
    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.
  • Question
    How do I turn off WiFi Direct?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go to the setting, then look for WiFi settings, then just turn off the WiFi.
  • Question
    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
    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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Warnings


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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 201,525 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: February 4, 2023
Views: 201,525
Categories: Android | Wi Fi
Article SummaryX

1. Open your Android's Settings.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Slide the Wi-Fi switch to On position.
4. Tap the three vertical dots icon.
5. Tap Wi-Fi Direct.
6. Select a device to connect.

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