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

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Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 28, 2023

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Connecting to a Device

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Sharing Images

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Video

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Q&A

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Warnings

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

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This is the list of all apps installed on your device.
It will open your Settings app.

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Here you can change your Wi-Fi settings, and connect to other devices.
You have to enable your device's Wi-Fi before you can use Wi-Fi Direct.
This button is in the upper-right corner of your screen. It will open a drop-down menu.
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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.
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Sharing Images

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This will highlight the image file, and reveal new icons at the top of your screen.
This is the Share button. It will open a new window where you can select an app to share this file.
It will open a list of devices around you available for a Wi-Fi Direct file transfer.
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.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I deactivate the function on my phone that connects it to a network that isn't mine?

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.

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Question

How do I turn off WiFi Direct?

Community Answer

Go to the setting, then look for WiFi settings, then just turn off the WiFi.

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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

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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