- Android Quick Share now works with Apple AirDrop for file sharing
- This means simple file sharing between Android and iPhones, iPads and Macs
- It will roll out to the Pixel 10 before expanding to other Android devices
The spicy debate between Android and iPhone just got a little less heated: Google announced that Android Quick Share now officially works with Apple’s AirDrop for simple file sharing between the rivals.
That’s right, the Android equivalent of AirDrop — which lets you easily send files between Android devices, as well as Chromebooks and Windows machines — now supports Apple’s AirDrop system, starting with today’s Pixel 10 series.
This means that quickly sending photos, videos and other files between Android devices and iPhones, iPads and Macs should, in theory, soon be as seamless as sharing files between devices of the same type. This is a cross-platform feature that many suspected would never arrive despite long-standing rumors, but here it is.
How will it work? According to a short video shared by Google (below), you will simply need to open Quick Share on your Android device and Apple devices will appear as a sharing option.
Once your iPhone-owning friend accepts the invitation, you can send them photos, videos, or files. It will also be a two-way affair, so Android devices will also appear among AirDrop’s sharing targets. And this, even if it is not an official collaboration between Google and Apple. This is Google’s own implementation, so it will be interesting to see how Apple reacts.
AirDrop not quite complete
This isn’t quite full AirDrop compatibility for Android – as Google explained in a separate blog post, it will only work if AirDrop is in its “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode (in other words, a short-term connection). Google says it would “welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable Contacts Only mode in the future.” »
Still, it’s a big step forward for simple file sharing between Android and Apple devices. Google also highlighted the strong security features built into this new AirDrop compatibility, explaining that “this feature doesn’t use a workaround” and that “the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never saved, and no additional data is shared.”
While it’s a shame that this will initially only work with the Google Pixel 10 series, Google added that “this is just the first step as we work to improve the experience and expand it to more devices.”
There are already unofficial third-party tools, like NearDrop, that do similar work, but this official option promises to be more convenient, transparent, and secure. The feature is currently not available on our Pixel 10 or Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but we’ll report back when we’ve tried it.
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