Google Quick Share Adds Support for AirDrop, Enabling Direct File Transfers With iPhone

Google is breaking down one of the biggest barriers between mobile ecosystems with a major update to Quick Share. The company announced today that its file transfer system now works with Apple's AirDrop, enabling direct, two-way sharing of photos, videos, and documents between iPhone and Android devices. The functionality is rolling out first to the Pixel 10 lineup and is expected to expand to more Android devices over time.



To facilitate the connection, Quick Share utilizes AirDrop's "Everyone for 10 minutes" setting. Google emphasizes that the transfer mechanism is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning data is not routed through an intermediary server and shared content is never logged. iPhone users will see the Android device appear in their AirDrop sheet just as they would another Apple device, provided the receiving Android phone has Quick Share visibility enabled. To ensure users are connecting with the correct person, the system requires verifying the device name on-screen.


Security was a primary focus during development. The interoperability layer was built using the Rust programming language, which is widely adopted for its ability to eliminate memory-safety vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows. Google says independent security firm NetSPI conducted assessments of the feature and found the implementation to be secure, noting it does not leak information. While the current version relies on the open visibility mode, Google says it would welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to support the more restrictive "Contacts Only" mode in the future.

This move toward cross-platform compatibility follows the broader adoption of RCS messaging and comes as Apple continues to refine its own sharing protocols. Recent developer betas have revealed Apple is working on a one-time code feature for AirDrop designed to let users securely share files for a limited time without adding the recipient to their contacts.

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