WhatsApp could soon get internet-free file sharing thanks to AirDrop-style upgrade

WhatsApp has seemingly been inspired by Apple, as evidence recently found suggests that the platform is working on its own version of AirDrop. The feature was initially discovered by WABetaInfo in an Android beta from April 2024. It has since resurfaced in an iOS beta under the new name of Nearby Share.

According to the report, Nearby Share will allow users to send different file types (e.g., photographs, videos, and text documents) to other smartphones within their vicinity without needing an internet connection. Not requiring the internet is a big deal as it allows people to move large files when under “limited or unstable network coverage.” However, the way the feature functions on the operating systems will differ.

Cross-system sharing