According to Ars Technica, Google has updated Android’s Quick Share feature to support Apple’s AirDrop, enabling direct file sharing between Android and iOS devices for the first time. The feature will initially only work on Google’s Pixel 10 series, with expansion to other Android devices planned for the future. Apple devices need to be running iOS 26 or later and have AirDrop set to “everyone for 10 minutes” mode to appear in Quick Share. The breakthrough comes after European Union regulations under the Digital Markets Act forced Apple to adopt interoperable wireless standards instead of its proprietary Apple Wireless Direct Link protocol. Google confirmed that Apple wasn’t involved in developing this compatibility, and the feature won’t work with AirDrop’s default “contacts only” mode.
How it actually works
Here’s the thing about AirDrop – it’s always used a combination of Bluetooth for device discovery and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi for the actual file transfers. But Apple had this secret sauce called AWDL that made everything work seamlessly between their devices. Basically, AWDL was Apple’s private protocol that other companies couldn’t use, which meant Android phones were locked out of the AirDrop party entirely.
Now, thanks to EU pressure, Apple had to switch from AWDL to the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Aware standard starting with iOS 26. And guess what? Google has supported Wi-Fi Aware in Android since version 8.0, so the technical foundation was already there. The files transfer directly between devices without hitting any servers, and Google’s using memory-safe Rust programming to keep everything secure. But there‘s a catch – it only works when AirDrop is set to “everyone for 10 minutes” mode, which isn’t the default.
The EU factor
Google’s announcement posts don’t mention the Digital Markets Act at all, which seems pretty intentional when you think about it. The company is currently facing potential massive fines under the same regulations, so they’re probably not eager to praise the rules that made this possible. But let’s be real – this interoperability wouldn’t be happening without the EU forcing Apple’s hand.
It’s kind of like the whole USB-C situation with iPhones. Apple helped develop the standard, then dragged their feet on actually using it until regulators stepped in. With Wi-Fi Aware, Apple actually contributed to developing the standard based on their AWDL work, but still preferred to keep using their proprietary version until the DMA required them to switch. The EU basically said “enough with the walled gardens” and now we’re seeing the results.
Limitations and what’s next
So what’s the catch? Well, plenty. First, it only works on Pixel 10 devices initially – other Android users will have to wait. Second, you need an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 26. Third, it won’t work with Macs because macOS isn’t considered a “gatekeeper” platform under the DMA. And fourth, that “contacts only” mode restriction means you can’t use the more secure default setting for cross-platform sharing.
Google says they’re “looking forward to improving the experience” and expanding to more devices, but there’s no timeline. And they’d “welcome the opportunity” to work with Apple on enabling contacts-only mode – which is corporate speak for “Apple isn’t returning our calls.” Still, this is progress. For mixed iPhone-Android households and friend groups, this could actually make sharing photos and files less of a headache. It’s just too bad it took regulatory pressure to make it happen.
