Android's share sheet is genuinely the best in mobile. Gmail, Drive, WhatsApp, Nearby Share, every messaging app — all one tap from any file. The only thing it can't help with is the file itself being a mess.
The right share method, by use case
Nearby colleague with an Android phone: Nearby Share. Email to a client: Gmail attachment (under 25 MB). WhatsApp to a friend: direct share, WhatsApp compresses for you. Big file or external recipient: Drive link.
Android's share sheet handles all of these from one tap on any PDF in any app.
Compress before you share
If the PDF is over 10 MB, compress it before sharing — saves bandwidth on cellular, avoids attachment limits, recipient doesn't wait. WhatsApp will compress for you on send, but you lose quality control. Doing it yourself in Flint keeps the quality you want.
Cloud links for large or sensitive files
For PDFs over 25 MB or sensitive content (contracts, legal docs), upload to Drive, get a shareable link, send the link instead of the file. Better privacy controls — set expiry, restrict access, revoke later.
Polish before sending
Sharing a contract? Sign it first. Form to fill? Edit it. Scattered across files? Merge into one. Doing the prep before hitting share saves the back-and-forth.
FAQ
Does WhatsApp shrink PDFs?
WhatsApp compresses PDFs on send if they're above their internal threshold. The compression isn't user-controlled and can degrade quality. Pre-compress with Flint to keep quality where you want it.
What's the Gmail attachment limit on Android?
25 MB. Beyond that, Gmail offers to use Drive — uploads the file and sends a link automatically. Works fine for most use cases; share permissions inherit from your Drive settings.
Can I Nearby Share to an iPhone?
No — Nearby Share is Android-to-Android (and Chrome OS). For cross-platform, use AirDrop alternative apps, Drive, or simply email. Snapdrop in a browser also works.
Before you share, give it a thirty-second polish. Edit, sign, or compress in Chrome first.