Google just pulled off something many thought impossible: Android devices can now send and receive files directly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs using Apple’s own AirDrop. No third-party apps, no internet, no workarounds. It just works.
Announced on November 20, 2025, the feature is live today on the Pixel 10 series and will expand to more Android phones soon. This isn’t a hack. It’s the result of EU regulations forcing Apple to open up its wireless stack. Here’s everything you need to know.
How It Actually Works
- On the Apple side Open Control Center → AirDrop → choose “Everyone for 10 Minutes” (the same option you already use when sharing with strangers).
- On Android Select a photo, video, or file → Share → Quick Share. Nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs now appear in the list. Tap one, approve the transfer on both devices, and the file moves instantly via direct peer-to-peer connection.
- It works both ways iPhone users can also AirDrop to the Android phone. The Pixel shows up in the iOS AirDrop sheet like any other device.
Current status:
- Live on Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Fold
- Coming to Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Nothing, Xiaomi phones via updates in early 2026
- Works on iPhone 12 and newer running iOS 26 or later
Speed is solid (up to 125 MB/s over Wi-Fi Aware), encryption is end-to-end, and independent security firm NetSPI has already audited the implementation.
Why Apple Can’t (and Won’t) Block It
Apple has been silent since the announcement. There’s a simple reason: they legally can’t shut it down without breaking EU law.
- The EU Digital Markets Act forced Apple to abandon its proprietary AWDL protocol and adopt the open Wi-Fi Aware standard in iOS 26.
- Google built Quick Share compatibility on top of that public standard.
- Blocking it now would mean crippling Wi-Fi Aware for everyone, which would trigger massive fines and user backlash.
This is the same reason Apple added RCS support last year. They fought, lost, and quietly complied. History is repeating itself.
Current Limitations (and What’s Coming)
| Feature | Current Status | Future Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| “Everyone for 10 Minutes” only | Required on iOS side | Likely to stay |
| “Contacts Only” support | Not available yet | Google is pushing |
| Full Wi-Fi 6E/7 speeds | Limited to Wi-Fi Aware speeds | Expected in 2026 |
| Background discovery | Manual trigger needed | Possible via updates |
The Bigger Picture
This is more than a convenience feature. It chips away at one of Apple’s strongest lock-in tools. AirDrop used to be an Apple-exclusive perk. Now it’s just another sharing option that works with 85% of the world’s phones.
For mixed-ecosystem families, offices, and friend groups, the friction of sharing files between Android and iOS just dropped to zero.
Verdict
Google didn’t break into the walled garden. The EU handed them the key, and Google walked right in.
Apple could fight this the way they fought RCS, but the outcome will be the same: quiet acceptance. By mid-2026, cross-platform AirDrop/Quick Share will be the default experience on hundreds of millions of devices.
The era of “it just works… only on Apple” is ending, one shared photo at a time.
Have you tried it yet on your Pixel 10? Let us know how smooth (or not) it feels in the comments!
