Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Wi-Fi Direct Feature to Transfer Files in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network is one way that you can do to get an internet connection in your Samsung Galaxy SIV. Once you have an internet connection, you can use it to browse webpages, install apps from the Google Play Store, send emails, etc.

See also: How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Android 4.4 Kitkat in the Samsung Galaxy S4

In addition to obtain an internet connection, when you and another Wi-Fi Direct enabled device are connecting in the same Wi-Fi network, then you can use Wi-Fi Direct feature to transfer files one another.

How to enable or disable Wi-Fi Direct in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. In the Connections tab, tap Wi-Fi.
3. Slide the switch at the top of the screen to the right to enable Wi-Fi.
4. Tap Wi-Fi network profile to connect with it. If necessary, enter the password to connect with the selected Wi-Fi network. Tap Connect button.
5. Now, tap Wi-Fi Direct button located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
6. Your phone will scan for all available Wi-Fi Direct enabled devices and they will be listed under available devices section.
7. Tap the desired available device you wish to connect.
8. Once another device accepting your Wi-Fi Direct invitation then both devices will be connected.
9. Wi-Fi Direct is now enabled and you're ready to use it to transfer files.
10. To disable Wi-Fi Direct, tap End connection button then tap OK button to confirm.

How to transfer file using Wi-Fi Direct in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Make sure another device you wish to transfer with is connected in the same Wi-Fi network with you and has a Wi-Fi Direct feature. As the example, I'll try to transfer picture files using Wi-Fi Direct between my Samsung Galaxy SIV and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.7 through Gallery app and My Files app.

Method #1: From Gallery app

1. Open Gallery app. By default, it's viewed by albums.
2. Tap the required albums where pictures you want to share are saved.
3. To transfer a single picture go to the step #4, while to transfer multiple pictures go to the step #5.
4. Transfer a single picture:
• Tap the desired picture you wish to transfer.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture will be transferred shortly.
5. Transfer multiple pictures:
• Tap the Menu key then select Select item.
• Tick the box in the desired pictures you wish to transfer.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected pictures will be transferred shortly.

Method #2: From My Files app

1. Open My Files app. By default, it's viewed by category.
2. Tap Image. This will redirect you to the DCIM folder in the internal storage where the phone uses it by default to save all pictures you've taken by using the camera. Or you can navigate to the required folder as you want.
3. Tap Camera.
4. To transfer a single picture file go to the step #5, while to transfer multiple pictures go to the steps #6.
5. Transfer a single picture file:
• Long tap the desired picture file.
• On pop up menu select Share via.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture file will be transferred shortly.
6. Transfer multiple picture files:
• Tick the box in the left side of desired pictures you wish to share.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture files will be transferred shortly.

If you're like me, if possible (when another device has Wi-Fi Direct feature) I always choose Wi-Fi Direct feature to transfer files, especially if the file have large size because Wi-Fi Direct can transfer files faster and easier than another transfer method (eg: Bluetooth). FYI, this feature consumes lot of power to run, therefore your phone will give you a notification to turn off this feature when you don't use it to save your battery life.