Google has announced the removal of the Share apps feature in the Play Store, which allowed users to send and receive apps via Quick Share. This feature was introduced in 2022 to offer a way for users to share Android apps without needing fast Wi-Fi or free data, making use of local sharing technology previously known as Nearby Share. Despite its convenience, Google has decided to discontinue it.
Limitations and Alternatives
While the Share apps feature was useful, it had its limitations. For instance, users could not share paid apps, books, movies, age-restricted apps, or enterprise apps. Even with these restrictions, the feature still proved valuable for those who needed to share apps when they had limited data or were in areas with poor Wi-Fi connectivity. Quick Share, integrated into the Play Store, allowed local sharing between devices, which was particularly helpful in low-bandwidth situations.
However, Google’s decision to phase out this feature is confirmed in the release notes for the December 2024 version of the Google Play Store, which mention that “the Share apps feature in Google Play will be discontinued.” Users who relied on this option for sharing apps will soon need to look for alternatives.
A similar app-sharing capability is still available, but it is now handled through the Files by Google app. This app also utilizes Quick Share to allow users to share any Android app on their device, keeping the functionality alive outside of the Play Store. Therefore, users can continue to share apps using Quick Share in the Files by Google app, which may provide some continuity as Google phases out the Play Store feature.
What’s Next?
Although the Share apps feature is being discontinued, it may take some time before it is fully removed from the Play Store, and the sharing option becomes unusable, notes NIX Solutions. In the meantime, we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available. Users can still use Files by Google to share apps with the same ease and convenience they’re used to, ensuring that the transition away from the Play Store feature isn’t too disruptive.