Google has officially announced a significant step toward cross-platform file transfer: Android’s Quick Share system is now fully interoperable with Apple’s AirDrop across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This new feature allows for easy and quick file sharing between the previously walled-off ecosystems.
The integration means that when an Apple device has its AirDrop sharing set to the “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode, it will simply appear as a selectable target within the fullscreen Quick Share interface on Android. Similarly, Android devices will become visible and available for transfer via AirDrop on Apple devices.
This newly enabled two-way sharing functionality supports the transfer of photos, videos, and various other file types, making it easier for users to communicate and share media without concern for the type of device the recipient uses.
Crucially, Google confirmed that this new interoperability was achieved through its “own implementation” and was not the result of a partnership or official collaboration with Apple. Google explicitly stated that it would “welcome collaboration opportunities” to work with Apple in the future, particularly to enable the more secure “Contacts Only” mode for cross-platform sharing.
The company frames this development as part of its ongoing work to “make cross-platform communication more seamless for users,” tackling longstanding interoperability issues between iOS and Android. Google also assures users that this Quick Share-AirDrop process is protected by a “multi-layered security approach to ensure a safe sharing experience from end-to-end.”
For users of the Pixel 10, this feature can be enabled by navigating to the Settings app, accessing the Google services section, and updating the “Quick Share Extension” under Privacy & security, followed by a device reboot.