Bluetooth is the gold standard for device-to-device file transfers and close-range communications, but it has a competitor that you might not have heard of: WiFi Direct.
What is WiFi Direct? This little-known alternative has been around for years but, unlike Bluetooth, you can use WiFi Direct for more than just file transfers.
Windows 10 has direct WiFi Direct support, but if you’re planning on using it, you’ll need to know what it’s good for (and whether it’s safe to use it or not). There are plenty of devices that support WiFi Direct (under various names), so if you want to know more about WiFi Direct in Windows 10, here’s what you’ll need to know.
What Is WiFi Direct?
WiFi Direct is a standard that allows the use of WiFi radio frequencies (typically 2.4GHz and 5GHz) to make direct, peer-to-peer connections with other devices. You don’t need an existing WiFi network to connect to, as the connection is made directly between two devices.
WiFi Direct works by enabling a software-generated access point on the host device, creating a temporary WiFi network in the process. WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is then used to authenticate, with a push button or PIN code used to establish a connection. This allows for a seamless (yet secure) connection between the devices.
Like Bluetooth, you can use it to send files, share your screen with other devices, play games directly, share your internet connection, and more. It also plays a central part in other systems and communication standards, such as isgaarsiinta goobta dhow.
Other WiFi-specific brands, such as Mucjisada, also use WiFi Direct to communicate. While Miracast is its own standard, it builds upon the WiFi Direct technology to allow for secure screen mirroring.
Support for WiFi Direct is quite patchy, however. While it is fully supported in Windows 10 (depending on your device), Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones, and iPads use the proprietary AirDrop and AirPlay instead.
Modern Android devices (from Android 4.0 onwards) offer support for WiFi Direct, but you may need a third-party app to make full use of its functionality. It also has some support on certain smart TVs, game consoles, and other WiFi-capable devices.
Checking for WiFi Direct Support on your Windows 10 PC
If you want to use WiFi Direct as an alternative to Bluetooth, then you’ll be best served using a Windows 10 PC or laptop. Windows 10 offers full support for the WiFi Direct standard, but your internal WiFi chip (or external WiFi device) will need to support it.
If you want to check whether your Windows PC or laptop supports the WiFi Direct standard, then you’ll need to use the Windows PowerShell.
- To open a new PowerShell terminal, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Maamul) doorasho.
- Cusub cusub Windows PowerShell daaqad, nooca ipconfig / dhamaan iyo saxaafadda Ku qor. A list of your network adapters and connections will be listed. Look through the list of adapters to find the Adapter-ka tooska ah ee Microsoft Wi-Fi ku qoran.
If Adapter-ka tooska ah ee Microsoft Wi-Fi is listed, then your PC supports WiFi Direct connections. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to attach a third-party USB WiFi device to enable support for it.
Connecting to Other WiFi Direct Compatible Devices
If your PC supports it, then you can connect to other WiFi Direct capable devices. To do this, you can use Windows’ search and discovery features to locate other WiFi Direct devices nearby.
- To do this, you’ll need to open the Windows Settings menu. Right-click the Start menu and select the Settings doorasho.
- In ka Windows Settings liiska, xulo Qalabka option. From there, you’ll need to select the Kudar Bluetooth ama aalad kale doorasho.
- In pop-upka Ku dar qalab menu, you can select the type of device you want to connect to. Some WiFi Direct devices, for instance, are largely used for screen mirroring. To add one of these, select the Wireless display or dock option. Otherwise, select the Wax kasta oo kale option instead.
- A list of available devices nearby that your PC can connect to will appear next. WiFi Direct-capable devices will also appear, including smartphones, smart TVs, games consoles, and more. To connect to those devices, select the device listed.
- Once the device is connected, select the Dhammaad button to complete the connection.
- The device will then appear in your list of known devices in the Bluetooth & aalado kale menu in Windows Settings.
While this method should work for most WiFi Direct devices, there may be other methods you can use to connect, so consult the user manual for those devices for further information.
For instance, some devices that support the WiFi Direct standard will have their own always-on WiFi networks that you can connect to. If you had a HP printer or Sony smart TV, for instance, you could connect by joining the DIRECT-XX wireless network for that device.
Sending Files Using WiFi Direct
Mid ka mid ah adeegsiga ugu fiican ee WiFi Direct waa wareejinta faylka, gaar ahaan haddii aad haysato faylal tiro badan. Intii aad adeegsan lahayd Bluetooth, wareejinta faylasha waaweyn (ama tiro aad u badan) waxay qaadan doontaa waqti aad uga dheer iskuxirka WiFi Direct.
If you have an Android device, the best way to use WiFi Direct is by using the Feem app, which has Windows 10 and Android support. While WiFi Direct isn’t supported for iPhones and iPads, Feem does use an alternative method for file transfers on those platforms.
- Si aad u bilowdo, soo dejiso oo rakib faylka Feem app qalabkaaga Android. Waxaad sidoo kale u baahan doontaa rakibi Feem on your Windows PC. Marka la rakibo, ka furo Feem labada qalabba.
- Aaladdaada Android, taabo Daar Wifi Toos ah slider ee barnaamijka Feem. Tani waxay dhaqaajineysaa hotspot-ka tooska ah ee WiFi-ga tooska ah ee aaladdaada Windows si loogu xiro. Furaha sirta ah ee loo baahan yahay si loogu xiro shabakaddan ayaa ka soo muuqan doonta geeska kore ee midig
- Aaladdaada Windows, ku xir shabakadda WiFi ee ku -meel -gaarka ah oo ay abuurtay aaladdaada Android (tusaale ahaan, DIRECT-mH-Android). Waxaad ku samayn kartaa tan menu -kaaga Windows Settings, ama adigoo riixaya Astaamaha WiFi/Shabakadda on your taskbar oo ka dooro shabakadda WiFi ku -meelgaarka ah halkaas.
- Markaad isku xirnaato, ku fur barnaamijka Feem -ka Windows PC -gaaga. Aaladdaada Android waa in lagu qoraa liiska bidixda. Waxaad si kale u diri kartaa faylasha adiga oo ku dooranaya Windows PC -gaaga barnaamijka Feem -ka ee Android. Xulo aaladda ku jirta liiska labada madal, ka dibna dooro ama taabo Dir File ikhtiyaarka hoose si aad u bilowdo dirista faylasha.
- Marka faylasha la diro, taabo WiFi Direct wuu daaran yahay slider -ka aaladdaada Android si aad u damiso hotspot -ka tooska ah ee WiFi oo aad u joojiso xiriirinta.
Connecting Windows 10 PCs to Other Devices
As the name suggests, using WiFi Direct in Windows 10 allows you to make direct connections with other devices. If you want to transfer files from your smartphone to your PC regularly, then you may prefer to use the built-in App app halkii.
If WiFi Direct isn’t an option, then Bluetooth is your next, best option for standalone, peer-to-peer communication. Many Windows 10 PCs have Bluetooth built-in, but you can make a PC Bluetooth-capable using a USB adapter. You’ll just need to remember to switch Bluetooth on first before you attempt to make a connection.