Google just announced that Android phones can now wirelessly share files with iPhones. And here’s the best part — There’s no third-party app involved. The Quick Share feature on Android will allow seamless file sharing with iPhones, which act as the recipient using the AirDrop system.
For now, this feature is exclusive to Google’s Pixel 10 series smartphones. Google won’t be the first brand to pull off such a stunt. The OnePlus 15 also implemented a similar tap-to-share file system in OxygenOS 16, and it works similarly to the NameDrop feature on iPhones.
In OnePlus’ case, however, the wireless bridge requires the O+ Connect app on the iPhone to work. What Google has implemented doesn’t involve any third-party apps. You just tap the Quick Share option from the share sheet, and make sure AirDrop is enabled on the recipient’s iPhone.
How does it work?
When you want to exchange files between two nearby Android phones, Quick Share is the most convenient and native tool for sharing the material. Between iPhones, AirDrop has remained the go-to solution for years. Google is finally letting Quick Share create a network bridge with AirDrop.
“This feature does not use a workaround; the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared,” assures the company.
Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, has confirmed that this feature will soon expand to more devices, too. As far as the security aspect goes, Google says it has conducted red team penetration tests through independent security experts to ensure that the file transfer lane is safe.
“Sharing across platforms works just like you’re used to: a file requires your approval before being received, so you’re in control of what you accept,” says Google. And in case you’re wondering, this is a two-way file sharing system, which means iPhones can also knock at the doors of the Pixel 10 and send files.
“The core of this feature involves receiving and parsing data sent over a wireless protocol from another device,” adds the company. Notably, the new file sharing system is limited to AirDrop’s “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode. Google has built the whole system using Rust as the security foundation. Using Rust ensures that memory-related bugs and attacks are thwarted off.
