Google has made a significant advancement in closing a major divide between Android and Apple devices. The company has revealed that Android smartphones, beginning with the newly unveiled Pixel 10 series, can now share files directly with iPhones using Apple’s AirDrop protocol. What is particularly noteworthy is Google’s assertion that this interoperability was achieved independently, without any input from Apple. For many years, AirDrop has served as one of Apple’s key advantages, facilitating quick and seamless file transfers among iPhones, iPads, and Macs. In contrast, Android users depended on Google’s Quick Share or various third-party applications, none of which offered the same effortless cross-platform functionality. With this enhancement, Google is striving to create a more equal environment.
In a comprehensive blog post, Google confirmed that Quick Share has been enhanced to interact with Apple’s AirDrop, allowing Android users to transmit photos, documents, and other types of media directly to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The feature is initially rolling out on Pixel 10 devices, with plans for broader support for additional Android models in the near future. Utilizing this feature is remarkably simple. Pixel 10 users wishing to send a file to an iPhone must have the iPhone user adjust their AirDrop visibility to “Everyone.” Once the iPhone is discoverable, it appears within Quick Share on the Pixel device similar to any other compatible device. The file transfer proceeds using the familiar AirDrop interface on the iPhone side.
The reverse process is also applicable: if an iPhone user aims to send a file to an Android device, the Pixel owner only needs to ensure their phone is discoverable via Quick Share. Interestingly, this was not a joint effort between the two tech companies. Google representative Alex Moriconi confirmed to The Verge, “We accomplished this through our own implementation.” He also mentioned that Google is open to collaborating with Apple to enhance interoperability, stating, “We always welcome collaboration opportunities to address interoperability issues between iOS and Android.” Despite initial worries regarding security or the potential for hacks, Google asserts that the feature is entirely secure.
In a security blog post, the company highlighted that the system has been thoroughly tested, affirming, “This feature does not use a workaround; the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared.” Apple has not yet released a statement regarding Google’s AirDrop compatibility implementation, leaving uncertainties about its long-term position on cross-platform sharing. It also remains unclear how quickly other Android manufacturers will embrace the updated Quick Share technology. Nevertheless, Google’s initiative represents a significant milestone in dismantling long-standing barriers between the two mobile ecosystems, providing users with greater flexibility—and fewer reasons—not to switch or share across platforms.