Google bridges the digital divide launching Quick Share/AirDrop File Transfer between Android and iPhones

In a surprise, yet welcome move for interoperability, Google has announced that the ability to wirelessly transfer files between iOS and Android using a combination of Quick Share and AirDrop is now a reality. 

In the announcement, Google says that they have enabled the ability to quickly share your photos, videos, and files between Android and Apple devices including iPhones, iPads and Macs, starting with the Pixel 10 family which includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The connection to share files  is secure, and private with Google describing the connection as ‘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’.

While the update is still rolling out, Google has shown off how it should look in this brief video.

It appears that Google has gone solo on this one, with the feature requiring Android and Apple users receiving files to adjust their AirDrop/Quick Share settings to allow ‘Everyone for 10 minutes’. In his blog post, Dave Kleidermacher, VP, Platforms Security & Privacy, Google did say that Google would ‘welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable “Contacts Only” mode in the future’.

The update is due to roll out to Pixel 10 phones today and we can’t wait to try it out. 

Once the update to the Pixel 10 family has rolled out, you’ll need to get your iOS using family, friend or colleague to adjust their AirDrop settings accordingly, allowing ‘Everyone for 10 minutes’.

Update:
Looks like you’ll need to do a little work to get this done…at least until some updates hit your phone. Thanks to Android Authority, there’s a few updates you can manually grab and then you’ll be sharing files with ease.

First, you’ll need to download the latest Google Play system update – Settings > System > Software updates – and then likely update a new Quick Share extension found on Google Play (Link only works on Android devices). Once you’ve gotten all that updated, do a restart and then just select the allow ‘Everyone for 10 minutes’ on the target device and the devices show up in the Quick Share and Air Drop menu.