The Wall Falls: Quick Share on Pixel 10 Can Now AirDrop to iPhones

In a massive win for cross-platform users, Google has announced a breakthrough in mobile interoperability: Android’s Quick Share is now compatible with Apple’s AirDrop, allowing two-way file sharing between Android and iOS devices.

This long-requested feature debuts exclusively on the Google Pixel 10 family of devices, with a promise to expand to more Android phones in the future. This functionality works with iPhones, iPads, and macOS devices.

How the Cross-Platform Sharing Works

The core principle behind this new integration is a secure, direct, peer-to-peer connection. Google accomplished this feat through its own implementation and research, without direct collaboration from Apple.

• Secure Channel: The feature was built using the memory-safe Rust programming language, which Google credits for hardening the connection against common vulnerabilities and ensuring a secure sharing channel.
• Data Integrity: The connection is direct, meaning shared content is never routed through a server, is never logged, and no extra user data is shared.
• The Catch (For iOS): To initiate or receive a transfer, the owner of the Apple device must manually set their AirDrop discoverability to “Everyone for 10 Minutes”. This is currently the only way a Pixel 10 can “see” and connect to a nearby Apple device.

Security and Future Outlook

Google emphasized that security was a primary focus. The implementation was not only vetted by their internal teams but also audited by independent third-party security firms (like NetSPI), which found the interoperability to be “notably stronger” than other industry solutions.

While the reliance on the “Everyone for 10 Minutes” mode is a minor hurdle, Google has stated this is just the first step. The company is open to collaborating with Apple to enable more seamless features, such as AirDrop’s “Contacts Only” mode, in the future.

This move is widely seen as a response to growing consumer demand and the regulatory pressure from bodies like the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which has been pushing for greater platform interoperability.