iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

For years, sharing files between iPhone and Android devices has been a headache. Photos lose quality, videos get compressed, and users often rely on cloud links just to move a simple file. Now the barrier is finally breaking. Google has updated its Quick Share system so it can directly communicate with Apple’s AirDrop, allowing fast, direct file transfers between iPhones and Android devices.

AirDrop + Quick Share: What’s New?

Google expanded Quick Share so that it now works across platforms. The result is simple: iPhones can now send and receive files from supported Android devices without extra apps, accounts, or compression.

Supported Devices

• All Apple devices that support AirDrop (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
• Android Pixel 10 devices: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold.

How to Send Files

Android (Pixel 10) → iPhone / iPad / Mac

• On the Apple device, open AirDrop and set receiving to “Everyone for 10 Minutes”.
• On the Pixel 10, select a file and choose “Quick Share”.
• Select the Apple device when it appears and send.
• The Apple device will show an AirDrop notification — accept it to receive the file.

iPhone / iPad / Mac → Android (Pixel 10)

• On the Pixel 10, open Quick Share and make the device visible for receiving.
• On the Apple device, select the file, choose Share → AirDrop.
• Select the Pixel 10 and send.
• The Pixel will show a Quick Share request — accept to receive the file.

Security and Privacy

File transfers remain peer-to-peer and local. No cloud upload, no servers, and no third-party storage. Both systems use encrypted direct connections between devices.

Current Limitations

• “Contacts Only” mode does not work across platforms yet — you must use “Everyone for 10 Minutes”.
• Only Pixel 10 devices currently support this feature on Android. Other brands may follow later.

Why This Matters

This update fixes one of the biggest frustrations between iPhone and Android users. Now you can send high-quality photos, videos, documents, and more without losing quality or using cloud workarounds. It marks a major step toward more open, user-friendly communication between the two biggest mobile platforms.

The wall between iOS and Android is finally starting to come down — and everyday users benefit the most.