Nfc wi fi direct

Nfc wi fi direct

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Modern smartphones are loaded to the hilt with features and can literally do anything under the sun. An unintended outcome of this, however, is that many of these features remain hidden under sub-menus and are never really used to their full potential. Wi-Fi Direct is a prime example of this. In this article, we explain what Wi-Fi Direct really is and tell you how you may have used the feature even without realizing it.

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What is Wi-Fi Direct?

The simplest way to explain what Wi-Fi Direct is to tell you that it is a form of direct, device-to-device communication. Unlike ‘normal’ Wi-Fi, which requires several devices to connect to a centralized device (like a router), Wi-Fi Direct lets users directly connect one device to another (hence the term Direct). The reason for it being termed as Wi-Fi Direct is because it uses the same security protocols as our normal Wi-Fi connections do (WPS and WPA/WPA2).

Wi-Fi Direct can be seen as a sort of second-generation Wi-Fi, as it allows compatible devices which do not have their own internet connection, to establish a mutual connection with ones that do (Hotspots, modems, or routers). Thanks to Wi-Fi Direct, you can build up a wireless network between multiple devices. In addition, you can use Wi-Fi Direct in combination with Miracast to screencast onto another device with a display. The newest generation of Wi-Fi Direct is also NFC compatible.

Wi-Fi Direct is widely supported by a large pool of devices – most notably smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, and TVs. The Samsung Galaxy S (launched in 2010) was one of the first smartphones to include this feature, and starting Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, all Android smartphones have this feature included natively. In case you were wondering, Apple products also support the Wi-Fi Direct feature — except — they have chosen to rebrand it to AirDrop and AirPlay.

In simpler terms, Wi-Fi direct allows devices without their own internet connection to connect to one which does. In the case of Android smartphones and devices, you can connect them and quickly transfer files without the hassle of cables. So, is Wi-Fi Direct just a glorified version of Bluetooth? Well, yes and no. The advantage of using Wi-Fi Direct over Bluetooth is that the Wi-Fi range and transfer speeds are significantly higher than those of Bluetooth. So, in short — use Wi-Fi Direct if you want a better way to send files from one device to another.

What is Wi-Fi Direct used for?

As of 2021, the feature is used for a range of applications that range from file sharing and data transfer to screen sharing and even playing games together. Let us take a look at some use cases with examples.

1. File sharing between phones

Sharing large files between smartphones wasn’t very straightforward a few years ago. The only options you had were Bluetooth and cable. While using Bluetooth was OK when it came to small files, using it to share larger files meant waiting for several minutes (or hours) for the transfer to complete. Data transfers using cables were faster — but then it was cumbersome. With the advent of Wi-Fi Direct, however, large file transfers between smartphones (and even laptops/ computers) have become much easier. To learn how to transfer files using Wi-Fi Direct, please check our next section.

Wi-Fi sharing is also used to quickly move data from an old phone to a new phone while setting it up for the first time.

2. Wireless Printing

Most modern printers support Wi-Fi Direct — thereby enabling them to communicate wirelessly with computers and smartphones and easily handle wireless printing jobs.

3. Playing games and screen-sharing

Other areas where we have seen Wi-Fi Direct being used extensively include offline, close-range smartphone gaming, and screen-sharing. You heard that right. The wireless screen sharing feature supported by your phone comes courtesy of Wi-Fi Direct. There are some games that use the same feature and let users play multiplayer games without the need for an internet connection.

How to set up Wi-Fi Direct

Every Android smartphone that uses Android 4.0 and above has Wi-Fi Direct functionality (bar some very rare exceptions). While the systems’ user interfaces might vary, setting this functionality up is relatively simple and unified across all devices. Wi-Fi Direct, until recently, did not offer native support for file transfers. That no longer is the case, thanks to a newly introduced feature called Nearby Share. Google also has its own app called ‘Files’ that includes a File transfer functionality (which uses Wi-Fi Direct).

Most modern smartphones do not require you to manually ‘turn on’ Wi-Fi Direct. The feature is automatically turned on when you turn the Wi-Fi on. To check the status of Wi-Fi Direct on your device, go into Settings -> Network & internet -> Wi-Fi -> Wi-Fi preferences and then tap Wi-Fi Direct. Your smartphone will start scanning for devices that you can connect to.

Unlike with Bluetooth, there is no button or anything that you need to tap to turn Wi-Fi Direct on. Wi-Fi Direct is enabled the moment you have a stable internet connection. This doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi Direct is on all the time. Your smartphone only starts scanning for nearby devices to connect to when you tap on the Wi-Fi Direct tab.

Important: You also need to turn on Wi-Fi direct on your laptop, television, printer, or whichever device you are connecting to, as well as having activated it on your smartphone using the steps above.

Have you used the Wi-Fi direct feature on your smartphone before reading this article? Of course, if you have any questions about this topic, do leave them below in the comments!

This article was last updated in July 2021. Older comments have been retained.

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Nfc wi fi direct

NFC 101: How to transfer any kind of file using NFC and Wi-Fi Direct

BY Rajesh Pandey

Yesterday, we explained to you what Android Bea m is and how you can use it to easily share content between Android devices. However, the biggest limitation of the feature is that it only works for limited file types and content and the transfer process is actually done over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi Direct. This means that transferring large videos will take a painstakingly long time.

Samsung’s own implementation of Android Beam — S-Beam — allows for sharing nearly any kind of files over Wi-Fi Direct using NFC but it only works across Galaxy devices. Thanks to the openness of Android though, you can easily use NFC to pair and transfer any type of file over Wi-Fi Direct in almost no time. Read below to find out how.

1. The only prerequisite here is that you will need to download SuperBeam from the Play Store on both Android devices for the sharing process to work.

2. Open Super Beam on the device from which you want to share the content. Depending on the file type, select the relevant option under the Send menu and then pick the files you want to share.

3. Now, simply touch the back of both devices together so that the NFC radios can communicate with each other. When you hear the NFC beep, tap on the screen of the device from which you want to send the content to initiate the transfer process.

Since the transfer happens over Wi-Fi Direct, you should easily see speeds in the 25-45Mbps range, which is much faster than Bluetooth. By default, all the files transferred via SuperBeam are saved in the SuperBeam folder on your storage card. You can, however, specify any folder you like in the paid version of the app.

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NFC vs Bluetooth vs Wifi Direct: Comparison, Advantages and Disadvantages

Regardless of technological difference between NFC, Bluetooth or Wifi Direct all three are wireless data transfer technologies. You can also check out our Bluetooth, HiperLan, IEEE 802.11 comparison.

Bluetooth with ability to establish a Personal Area Network (PAN) is the most famous among them and has become a defecto standard for wireless pairing of nearby device and accessories.

The Near Field Communication (NFC) and Wi-Fi Direct are also quite old but both have recently gained popularity after being incorporated by large smartphone manufacturing companies like Samsung, HTC, and Sony.

For the ease and knowledge of our readers we are comparing the deference of NFC, Bluetooth and WiFi technologies.

We will start with the brief description of each and then moving towards the NFC vs Bluetooth vs Wifi Direct comparison, uses, pros and cons. We will try our best to make it as useful and understandable as possible:

NFC Advantages and Disadvantages

The NFC (Near field communication) is a data transfer technique and is the type of the wireless communication with short range. The data is transferred in the form of beam by touching the two things together. A single wave or beam helps to transfer the data between two devices within the range of 4 centimeter. It helps to transfer the data at much faster rate.

1. NFC technology helps in the contact-less payment systems. It also allows the mobile payments. The NFC enabling devices also allows the Master card payments.
2. It also allows user to share the files, video’s and photos in social networking situations. Multi-player mobile games can also be played with the help of this.
3. It allows the user to share contacts and other important files.

1. It is easy to use. Only a simple touch is needed between the devices in order to transfer the data.
2. It is versatile and can be used for the transferring of payments in bank cards. It can also be used for video games.
3. As it uses the short range for the transfer of data. It helps to maintain the security of data by minimizing the theft.

1. A certificate is required for using the NFC technology. Consumers cannot facilitate with this technology until or unless company incorporate it in the devices.
2. Due to the investment risk, companies are not using it as it is an expensive technology.
3. It can only transfers the data between the compatible devices i.e. for the transfer of data it is necessary that both the devices must have NFC technology in them.

Bluetooth Technology Advantages and Disadvantages

Bluetooth is the widely known wireless way of communication or data transfer technology. This is the alternative technology of data cables. Radio transmission was the foundation of this technology. The users can transfer the data with the help of it.

1. It helps to do the wireless communication between the laptops and desktop computers.
2. It is also used in the keyboards, mikes and in printers.
3. It is widely using in the mobile phones as it helps them to connect with the other devices such as PDA’s 9Personal Data Assistant) and laptops.
4. It is now using is the wireless remote controls of many video games.

1. This technology is quite old and people are aware of this technology so it is very easy to use.
2. Companies can easily incorporate this technology into their devices as it is quite inexpensive.
3. The versions of the Bluetooth are easily upgradeable.

1. Data theft may occur because of the long distance for the transfer of data.
2. When installed, viruses or bugs might be downloaded with it.
3. It is limited in its transfer of data. It does not enable the transfer of data more than two devices.

Wi-Fi Direct Technology Advantages and Disadvantages

Wi-Fi Direct is another wireless communication and data transfer technology. WiFi direct helps to establish the connection between two devices without using any router or Wi-Fi connection. Devices can exchange data without the use of internet connection. It is a certified technology. It helps to share the files that are heavy in size and share them with the faster rate.

1. It has many applications. It is used to share the heavy files at a faster rate.
2. It is also providing the wireless connections to the peripherals such as keyboards, mice, headsets, controls, speakers.
3. It is also using in the smartphones and the portable devices.

1. No internet connection or router is required for sharing files with the help of the Wi-Fi Direct. It is portable.
2. This technology is developing the new ways of data transfer. It is the instant way of transferring the data.
3. It shows the user when there is any connection available and thus easy in use.
4. It is the protected setup and helps in the transfer of data with security.

1. As this technology is new, many users have found bugs in this technology.
2. It has limitation as it does not support the iPhones.
3. An owner is needed in order to establish the connection with other devices and as soon as the owner leaves the group the connection disables.

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