There are many free file transfer apps that you can use to share files and data between two or more Android phones or tablets, like SHAREit，Zapya, Xender, Send Anywhere. Today, we will use Xender in this guide to show you how you can transfer files between Android phones wirelessly.
About the file transfer app
Xender works with or without Wi-Fi networks. It makes use of mobile hotspot or Wi-Fi direct to connect two Android devices together and copy files back and forth between them. You can use it to send all kinds of files between Android phones and tablets, such as photos, music, videos, apps, documents and any other file types of unlimited file size.
Share files between Android phones
Run Xender file transfer app on both android devices. Tap the Transfer button at the bottom on one Android phone, you will then see the Send and Receive buttons.
Tap Send button to allow the file sharing app to activate the hotspot on your phone. After that you will see a QR code displays on your phone screen.
Run Xender app on the other phone, tap the Menu at the top right corner, choose Scan Connect from the drop-down menu, then point your camera toward the QR code on the first phone to scan and connect. When you see the warning about Xender trying to turn on your WiFi, allow it. After that your phone will be connected to the hotspot network or Wi-Fi direct from the first phone.
Browse through different categories in Xender to select and send files, photos, music, videos, apps, documents and any other file types, from one Android phone to another. Tap to select the files, the Send button shows up at the bottom, tap on it to send. It’s just that easy.
Send files via Wi-Fi Direct or Hotspot on Android
You can choose to enable Wi-Fi Direct in Xender so the app will create Wi-Fi Direct on your phone, other mobile phones can connect to your phone via Wi-Fi Direct for faster file transfer. Wi-Fi Direct, also known as peer-to-peer or P2P, allows Android phone or application to quickly find and interact with nearby devices, at a range beyond the capabilities of Bluetooth. It allows apps to connect to nearby devices without needing to connect to a network or hotspot. Mobile Hotspot takes precedence over Wi-Fi Direct. When Wi-Fi direct is not turned on or your Android phone does not support Wi-Fi direct, Xender will create the portable hotspot or mobile hotspot on Android to connect to other devices.
Share photos, images and other files between Android and PC
File sharing between mobile and desktop computer using Xender does not require Xender on the desktop. You can just use your desktop browser on the computer to access Xender on the Android. See more details from these steps to transfer files between Android phone and computer using Xender.
Update Oct 2022: this post was originally published in Dec 2019 and has since been updated; added wireless transfer using Wi-Fi Direct.