You Can Now Share Files Between Android and iPhone Using Quick Share and AirDrop, But There’s a Catch

For years, moving files between Android and iPhone has been awkward. You either end up emailing yourself, compressing media over WhatsApp, or giving up entirely. Google’s latest update finally offers a more direct path, at least for Pixel 10 users.

Quick Share on the Pixel 10 series can now interact with Apple’s AirDrop, allowing you to send and receive files without any cloud services or third-party apps in between. If you’re using a Pixel 10 and need to move photos, videos, or documents to an iPhone, here’s how it works.

What You Need Before You Start

This feature currently works only if:

• You’re using a Pixel 10 series phone.
• The other device is an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with AirDrop enabled.
• Both devices are nearby and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.

Other Android phones don’t support this yet, though Google says wider availability is coming later.

How to Send Files from Pixel 10 to iPhone Using AirDrop

If you're sending a file from a Pixel 10 to an Apple device, follow these steps:

1. On the iPhone or Apple device, open AirDrop settings and set visibility to “Everyone”.
2. On your Pixel 10, select the photo, video, or document you want to share.
3. Tap the Share button and choose Quick Share.
4. The Apple device should appear in the list of nearby devices.
5. Select it and send the file.
6. The iPhone user will receive a standard AirDrop request, which they can approve to begin the transfer.

Once accepted, the file transfers directly with no additional apps required.

How To Send Files From iPhone To Pixel 10

The process also works the other way around.

1. On your Pixel 10, enable Quick Share and make your phone discoverable.
2. On the iPhone, open the file and tap the Share icon.
3. Choose AirDrop and select the Pixel 10 from the list.
4. The Pixel will receive a transfer request.
5. Accept it on the Pixel screen to complete the transfer.

From the user’s perspective, it behaves like a normal AirDrop exchange, just across platforms.

What About Privacy and Security?

Google says this new system uses a direct peer-to-peer connection. That means the files aren’t routed through any servers, stored in the cloud, or logged during the transfer.

The company also states that the feature has been reviewed internally and tested by independent security teams. While Apple isn’t directly involved, Google claims the implementation follows strict safety standards.

Current Limitations You Should Know

This feature is exclusive to the Pixel 10 series for now. If you’re on an older Pixel or any other Android phone, Quick Share won’t yet connect to AirDrop.

You’ll also need to temporarily loosen AirDrop visibility settings on Apple devices, which could be a small inconvenience for privacy-conscious users.

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