In November last year, Google introduced Quick Share compatibility with Apple’s AirDrop on the Pixel 10 series, enabling file sharing with iPhone users. While this feature was promised to arrive on older Pixel smartphones, Google has now confirmed that it is opening file transfers to iPhones through Quick Share to a wide range of Android devices. Similarly, iPhone users will be able to share media with Android users via AirDrop.
This news comes in as part of Eric Kay’s statement, Vice President of Engineering at Google, who has confirmed that Quick Share compatibility with Apple’s AirDrop will no longer be exclusive to Pixel devices going forward. Users rocking an Android device from other OEMs will also benefit from Quick Share’s ability to share stuff with iPhones, eliminating the need for third-party solutions and tedious methods like Google Drive or wired transfers.
As for when this functionality will arrive? Eric Kay states that the Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability is arriving later this year. As part of the testing phase, Google has seen immense success with this feature on the Pixel 10 series and is hence ready to bring it to more devices in the future. Furthermore, not only were Pixel 10 users able to send files and receive files from iPhones, but the interoperability was also present for iPad and MacBook users all along.
Currently, Google is actively working behind the scenes with partners to make the feature available on other Android devices. On Apple’s side of things, the iPhone-maker has not showcased any signs of restrictions, at least publicly, when Google enabled seamless file transfer between Android and iPhone devices using Quick Share and AirDrop all on its own. As a result, Google may now be confident to roll out the feature to more devices.
For years, Android OEMs have tried to bridge the gap between Apple and Android. For instance, the latest Android 16 proprietary skins from OPPO, Xiaomi, and Vivo all feature dedicated systems like O+ Connect and Office Kit that allow your phone to be interlinked with a wide range of Apple products like iPhone, MacBook, and even Apple Watch. These systems are not only limited to file transfers, but also allow users to cast their MacBook’s screen on Android or receive phone notifications directly on an Apple Watch.
Overall, Google being the one to bridge the gap between the only two currently available mobile platforms not only makes it convenient for both sides to exchange media, but it also promotes openness by putting users’ interests at the forefront.
