What Is a Beaming Service App?

From Android Beam in Android 9 and earlier versions to Nearby Share in Android 10 and later versions, the Android Beaming Service has undergone a name change, but its function has remained the same.

In this article, we will explain what the Beaming Service app does and address concerns about the safety of the app. We will also explain how to turn off the NFC feature on your Android and disable the Beaming Service App.

What Does the Beaming Service App Do?

Before sharing content through Android Beam, you must have two devices that support NFC. You must also enable NFC and Android Beam on both devices. 

When you place two devices against each other while displaying the content you want to share on the screen, the screen shrinks and displays “Tap to Beam” on top of it. The content is sent to the other device if you tap the screen. 

For Android 4.1 and above, you can use Android Beam to send pictures and videos to nearby devices using NFC. The NFC carries out the operation by turning on the Bluetooth on both devices, pairing them, sharing the content, and disabling the Bluetooth once the content is shared successfully.

In 2020, Google launched Android Q and replaced Android Beam with Nearby Share, which uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or NFC connection. 

Is Beaming Service Dangerous?

In October 2019, Google released a security patch to fix a bug that allowed hackers to explore the NFC beaming feature on Android and spread malware to nearby phones. 

Before then, Android prevented users from installing apps from unknown sources unless they manually enabled a feature in the phone settings, allowing them to install the app. However, in January 2019, Google granted some apps, like the Android Beam Service, automatic permission to install other apps.

This allowed hackers to take advantage as they could send malware to nearby devices with their NFC and Android Beam Services enabled. Although Google later removed the Android Beam Service from its whitelist of trusted sources that could automatically install other apps, many users remain at risk. You can turn off NFC and Android Beaming Service to prevent the risk.

How To Turn Off NFC and the Android Beaming Service 

There can only be a maximum of 4 cm between the two devices sharing data through NFC. This means a hacker has a slim chance of sending malware to your phone, except if he is very close. However, you’re still at risk until you turn off the NFC service. Follow the steps below to turn off NFC and Android Beaming Service.

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Go to “Connections”.
3. Tap “NFC and Payment”
4. If the NFC switch is turned on, tap the switch to turn it off.
5. Turn off “Android Beam”.
6. Tap “OK” to confirm.

How To Disable the Beaming Service App

The Beaming Service app is a pre-installed system app that runs in the background and cannot be deleted or uninstalled. To uninstall or delete it, you must root your device, which exposes your phone to numerous security risks. 

You can stop this app from running in the background by disabling it. Disabling it would not get rid of it permanently, but it would stop it from running and draining your battery, consuming storage space, and preventing upgrades when updates are available.

Follow the steps below to disable the Android Beaming Service app.

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap “Apps”.
3. Tap the three-dot menu on the top right corner of your screen to reveal a list of options.
4. Select “Show System Apps” from the list of options.
5. Scroll down and tap the Beaming Service app or “Nearby Share”.
6. Tap “Disable” at the bottom of the screen. You’ll get a pop-up message warning you that disabling the app might lead to a malfunction of some other apps on your Android device.
7. Tap “Disable App”.

Disabling the Android Beaming Service app would prevent the app from draining your battery and consuming your storage space. However, if you need it in the future, you can enable the app in a few simple steps.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap “Apps”.
3. Tap the dropdown menu beside the All apps option at the top of the screen and select “Disabled”. It shows you a list of all the apps hidden on your Android device.
4. Locate the app you want to enable and select the box in front of the app marked disabled.
5. Tap on the “Enable” option at the bottom of the screen. 

Conclusion

Although Android Beam was discontinued when Google launched Android Q, Nearby Share was introduced to serve a similar purpose and share data within close range.