Google has been steadily improving Android’s file‑sharing experience with its Quick Share feature — an Android equivalent of Apple’s AirDrop that lets nearby devices send and receive files without the internet. Now, Google is expanding this AirDrop‑like capability to more Android phones beyond the latest models.
🤝 What Exactly Is This Feature?
Traditionally, AirDrop lets iPhones and Macs share photos, videos, and files instantly with nearby apple devices. Android’s version — Quick Share — is now being updated to work with apple devices too, meaning Android phones can send files directly to iPhones and Macs just like AirDrop does.
Initially, this interoperability — Quick Share working with apple AirDrop — was limited to the newest google Pixel 10 series.
📱 Expansion to Older Phones
✅ Pixel 9 Series Gets AirDrop Compatibility
Google has rolled out or begun rolling out support for AirDrop‑style file sharing to the Pixel 9 lineup — including:
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This means these older Pixel phones can now send and receive files with iPhones, iPads, and Macs using Quick Share — no third‑party apps or cloud uploads needed.
🪩 Midrange Pixel 10a Also Supports It
Even Google’s more affordable Pixel 10a now includes AirDrop‑style Quick Share support straight out of the box, making the feature available on lower‑cost devices.
📍 How It Works in Daily Use
To share files between an Android and an apple device using this feature:
Enable Quick Share on your Android phone.
On the apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac), set AirDrop visibility to “Everyone for 10 Minutes”.
Select the files you want to send and choose Quick Share. The recipient gets a prompt to accept the transfer — just like AirDrop.
This works peer‑to‑peer, using Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi — no internet connection required and no data gets routed through cloud servers.
🔒 Privacy and Security
Google emphasises that this cross‑platform sharing is built with strong security protections — meaning you must explicitly consent before a file is received, and the connection is secured between devices.
🛠️ What’s Next
While the current rollout focuses on google Pixel phones, Google has confirmed it plans to expand this AirDrop‑style Quick Share compatibility to even more Android devices later in 2026. That means older Android phones from other brands could get similar functionality through updates in the near future.
📌 Summary
Feature
Status
AirDrop‑style Quick Share
Now available on Pixel 10 series
Expanded support
Rolling out to Pixel 9 and Pixel 10a
Cross‑platform sharing
Works with iPhones, iPads, Macs
Other Android phones
Expected to get support later in 2026
In short, Android phones — including slightly older models like the Pixel 9 series — are now getting closer to the seamless file‑sharing experience apple users have enjoyed for years.
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