[APP][4.0.3+] SuperBeam | Easy & Fast File Sharing with WiFi-Direct | NFC/QR Pairing

[APP][4.0.3+] SuperBeam | Easy & Fast File Sharing with WiFi-Direct | NFC/QR Pairing

Quick update on 4.0: we've released a new version (4.0) on Google Play. I'll update the thread with features later on. Just a quick note on compatibility: we've dropped support for Gingerbread because it is becoming a huge obstacle towards developing the app. Apologies for inconvenience.

Quick update #2: If the QR scanner is not working for you after the new update, please DM me as soon as possible. I can see error reports on Crashlytics but no one reached to cooperate in resolving the issue.


SuperBeam is the easiest and fastest way to share files between Android devices using WiFi Direct (or tethering mode for older devices). Devices can be paired using QR Code scanning (with the included scanner) or NFC if available (just like Samsung's proprietary S-Beam).

Features:

• Share files between devices using NFC or QR code scanning.
• Blazing fast transfer speeds using WiFi direct.
• Switches to hotspot mode automatically for devices that doesn't support WiFi direct.
• Can use existing WiFi network connection between devices.
• Share single or multiple files of any type (photos, videos, zip files, APK's... You name it!)
• Share with devices that do not have SuperBeam using web interface.
• Works with all 3rd party file managers and photo galleries.
• Light and dark color themes.

Google Play link:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.majedev.superbeam

Get more, upgrade to PRO:

• Get rid of ads.
• Change the default saving location to any directory on any available storage (like external SD card).
• Send and receive files to/from your computer through SuperBeam app for PC, using QR code or manual sharing key (get it from http://superbe.am) *
• Send entire folders and preserve their hierarchy.
• Pair devices using manual sharing key. This is particularly useful for devices that do not have a camera nor NFC (like Android TV's).
• Share files with more than one device at the same time.
• Send unlimited number of files through web interface, with the ability to download them all as a zip archive (with folders too!).
• Share SuperBeam APK for those situations where there is no internet connection around. Makes life easier for your friends!
• Automatically disable mobile data (3G/4G) connection while sharing with other devices, to prevent them from eating through your data plan.
• Be SuperAwesome and support the future development of SuperBeam. This is just the beginning, and we have much more to surprise you with!

* Currently, SuperBeam for PC does not support WiFi Direct. Hence, both your computer and your Android device must be connected to the same WiFi network in order to share files.

Support
Translation: http://crowdin.net/project/superbeam
Ideas, problems & questions: http://support.superbe.am
Twitter: @SuperBeam
Email: support [at] superbe.am

A note about WiFi direct
SuperBeam creates an access point using Android's WiFi direct API's. This essentially works like hotspot mode in old devices, but it is guaranteed to work on newer devices like Nexus 7. Moreover, this mode allows older devices to connect and receive files without having to support WiFi direct's peer-to-peer connections and, more importantly, it gets rid of the annoying "accept connection" prompt.
Also, please note that this mode is currently supported by Android versions 4.1 and greater. On older versions, SuperBeam will fallback to the older hotspot mode.

If sending fails
Sometimes, WiFi direct doesn't play well when sending from some devices (especially those that have custom ROMs). Please follow these steps to switch to hotspot (tethering) mode if WiFi direct is causing you issues (on the sending device):

1. Open SuperBeam scanner.
2. Tap options > settings.
3. Tap Advanced settings > Preferred direct method.
4. Choose Hotspot.
5. Close SuperBeam and try sharing again.

Watch the full XDA review of the previous version here:

CHANGELOG
Version 3.0.4
- Bugfixes for "connection dropped" issues
- QR code for web URL
- Ability to set empty hotspot password
- Revamped send photos & videos screens
- Fixed scanner orientation issue
- Russian, French and Italian languages

Version 3.0.3
- New scanner interface (defaults to landscape, use rotate button to change)
- Transfer speed on sender
- New sharing-key input interface with history (PRO)
- Ability to create shortcut to QR scanner on home screen
- Bugfixes

Version 3.0
- Compatibility with Android 2.3.3+
- Better compatibility with some devices (HTC, Sony & Nexus)
- App redesign
- Share with multiple devices at the same time
- Share with devices that do not have SuperBeam
- PRO version upgrade option

Version 2.1.1
- Stop asking to enable NFC every time.
- Fixed crashing on some handsets and custom ROMs.
- Fixed QR code scanner for Xperia P and U.
- Hide QR scanner hint overlay for good (please tap on it once).
- Revert WiFi state on receiver after completion.
- More light-weight QR codes.
- Restore hotspot settings on sender after completion.
- Some minor bugs and translation fixes.

Version 2.1
- Much smoother QR code scanner. Shouldn't crash on old devices.
- Ability to use front camera for QR code scanner (options menu > Use front camera).
- Added ability to force tethering mode instead of WiFi direct (under advanced settings) on Android 4.1+ devices. This is useful for those having trouble with WiFi direct.
- Added special thanks screen.
- Some minor bug fixes.

Version 2.0.2
- Removed settings icon from launcher.
- Fixed asking to rate on the first run.
- Show "how to share" tip on first run.
- Fixed a major bug causing crash on some WiFi networks.

Version 2.0
- NEW! Support sending and receiving for devices that do not have NFC (using QR code scanning).
- WiFi-direct mode. Now you can always share files without any WiFi router around.
- Better layout for tablets.
- Added advanced settings.
- New less-glossy icons.

scottx . said:

Seems to work well so far.

Transferred a gallery album in quickpic from n4 to n7 that included a large video. Worked perfect.

See how often I use it. Thanks

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Glad it worked for you

Could you please test the hotspot mode on Nexus 4 from options menu?

Thank you for the feedback.

wollyka said:

I used it to transfer files from N4 to Gnex and vice versa. Worked great even in Hotspot mode..

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Thanks for reporting back. I'll update the first post with N4 compatibility.

This is a new release that supports devices which do not have NFC. I've updated the original post with new info.

sang3 said:

Any chance to get a version without ads? (pro version, donation, etc)
I`m sick of those ads.....to annoying.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I can't sell paid apps due to regional restrictions (I'm based in middle east). I will add an option to disable ads in the next release though, and it will be available to everyone

Update:
I partnered with a friend in the US to handle payments. Now there is a paid PRO option available on Google Play. All users who disabled ads will not see them even after the new update.

msk said:

Hi, I actually liked the way the app was showing that help screen before you added QR code support, kind of a reminder on how to use it.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

For new users, a dialog is displayed when the QR scanner is launched showing exactly that. I didn't want to annoy old users with this dialog, that's why it won't be displayed for those who updated the app (coming from versions < 2.0).

However, many users thought that the QR scanner has to be opened on the receiving device when they are using NFC. So I'm releasing a new update today that will show this dialog for everyone when QR code scanner is opened for the first time.

trillo69 said:

After using wifi direct transmission(devices aren't in same wifi network), I have to reboot the phone to get wifi working again. Can anyone else reproduce the bug?

Appart from that the app is awesome.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Thanks for the feedback. Could you please give me more details regarding the devices you use, corresponding Android versions, and whether you use a custom ROM?

trillo69 said:

I've tried between two Nexus 4, both running 4.2.2 roms (aokp and cyanogen). Both got wifi bugged after a successful shared file with wifi direct. We had to reboot to get wifi working again, otherwise wifi went off every few seconds.

Don't know if that's a wifi direct bug on android or the app because is the first time i use it.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Many users reported that SuperBeam works very well with N4.

WiFi direct doesn't play well with custom roms though. I tested it on GNexus ParanoidAndroid rom and it didn't work at all, while it worked very well on XenonHD. Same goes for my Asus Transformer: it worked flawlessly on stock, but caused reboots on Team EOS rom (aosp based).

Could you try using a different kernel, that might help?

Thank you for your feedback.