How to share files
The modern way #
Using the Web Share API's share()
method #
To share files, call navigator.share()
. Note that you should always check if files can be shared with navigator.canShare()
and make sure your site is using HTTPS before calling the share()
method.
// Assume `blob` is a PNG image file.
const data = {
files: [
new File([blob], 'image.png', {
type: blob.type,
}),
],
title: 'My title',
text: 'My text',
};
if (navigator.canShare(data)) {
await navigator.share(data);
}
Browser support
- Chrome 89, Supported 89
- Firefox 71, Behind a flag
- Edge 93, Supported 93
- Safari 12.1, Supported 12.1
The classic way #
The next best thing to offer to the user if the Web Share API is not supported is falling back to letting the user download the file, so they can share it manually, for example, via email or via a messenger or online social network app.
Browser support
- Chrome 15, Supported 15
- Firefox 20, Supported 20
- Edge 13, Supported 13
- Safari 10.1, Supported 10.1
Progressive enhancement #
The method below uses the Web Share API when the browser supports it and when the data can be shared based on the supported file types. Else, it falls back to downloading the file.
const button = document.querySelector('button');
const img = document.querySelector('img');
// Feature detection
const webShareSupported = 'canShare' in navigator;
// Update the button action text.
button.textContent = webShareSupported ? 'Share' : 'Download';
const shareOrDownload = async (blob, fileName, title, text) => {
// Using the Web Share API.
if (webShareSupported) {
const data = {
files: [
new File([blob], fileName, {
type: blob.type,
}),
],
title,
text,
};
if (navigator.canShare(data)) {
try {
await navigator.share(data);
} catch (err) {
if (err.name !== 'AbortError') {
console.error(err.name, err.message);
}
} finally {
return;
}
}
}
// Fallback implementation.
const a = document.createElement('a');
a.download = fileName;
a.style.display = 'none';
a.href = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
a.addEventListener('click', () => {
setTimeout(() => {
URL.revokeObjectURL(a.href);
a.remove();
}, 1000)
});
document.body.append(a);
a.click();
};
button.addEventListener('click', async () => {
const blob = await fetch(img.src).then(res => res.blob());
await shareOrDownload(blob, 'cat.png', 'Cat in the snow', 'Getting cold feet…');
});
Further reading #
Demo #
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<link
rel="icon"
href="data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 100 100%22><text y=%22.9em%22 font-size=%2290%22>🎉</text></svg>"
/>
<title></title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
<script src="script.js" type="module"></script>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Share a file</h1>
<img
width="200"
height="200"
alt="A cat walking in the snow."
src="cat.png"
/>
<button type=button></button>
</body>
</html>
const button = document.querySelector('button');
const img = document.querySelector('img');
const webShareSupported = 'canShare' in navigator;
button.textContent = webShareSupported ? 'Share' : 'Download';
const shareOrDownload = async (blob, fileName, title, text) => {
if (webShareSupported) {
const data = {
files: [
new File([blob], fileName, {
type: blob.type,
}),
],
title,
text,
};
if (navigator.canShare(data)) {
try {
await navigator.share(data);
} catch (err) {
if (err.name !== 'AbortError') {
console.error(err.name, err.message);
}
} finally {
return;
}
}
}
// Fallback
const a = document.createElement('a');
a.download = fileName;
a.style.display = 'none';
a.href = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
a.addEventListener('click', () => {
setTimeout(() => {
URL.revokeObjectURL(a.href);
a.remove();
}, 1000)
});
document.body.append(a);
a.click();
};
button.addEventListener('click', async () => {
const blob = await fetch(img.src).then(res => res.blob());
await shareOrDownload(blob, 'cat.png', 'Cat in the snow', 'Getting cold feet…');
});
:root {
color-scheme: dark light;
}
html {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
*,
*:before,
*:after {
box-sizing: inherit;
}
body {
margin: 1rem;
font-family: system-ui, sans-serif;
}
img,
video {
height: auto;
max-width: 100%;
display: block;
}
button {
margin: 1rem;
}