Google expands Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability

Google is moving Android-to-iPhone file sharing beyond the Pixel, signaling a broader push for Android and Apple devices to work together.

In late 2025, Google released a new Android update that allowed Pixel 10 users to send files to their iPhone via Quick Share. Quick Share is basically the Android version of AirDrop.

The move was considered quite shocking at the time – Android and iPhone are not known for playing well together. However, it was a feature that many smartphone users have been clamoring for – especially given that many households use a mix of Android and Apple products.

While this may have been originally locked to the Pixel 10, it looks like Google has decided to expand the feature. And it won’t be exclusive to the Pixel line.

“We’ve spent a lot of time and energy making sure we can build something that’s not only compatible with iPhones, but also iPads and MacBooks,” Erik Kay, vice president of engineering for the Android platform, said in a press briefing. Android Authority he waited

“Now that we’ve done that, we’re working with our partners to expand into the rest of the ecosystem, and you should see some exciting announcements soon.”

Of course, the phrase “soon” doesn’t offer much information. And the “partners” don’t really give much insight into which devices will support it either.

But it does show that Google is serious about interoperability, especially if it expects to win over some of Apple’s closed customers. After all, one of the biggest reasons to go all-in with an Apple device is the ability to easily move between devices thanks to features like AirDrop and Universal Control.

If Android can provide some ease, some iPhone owners may be more willing to switch to Android. And when it comes to transition mechanics, Google wants to make it even easier.

“We’ll also be working to make it easier for people who decide to switch to data and make sure they have everything they had from their old phone,” Kay said. “So there’s a lot more going on with it.

In December, a new Android Canary build for Google Pixel smartphones was introduced, laying the groundwork for transitioning from one smartphone ecosystem to another. Apple, on the other hand, has been much quieter about the changes on its end.

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