Google is breaking down one of the biggest walls between Android and Apple. With its latest update, the company has enabled the Pixel 10 series to share files directly with iPhones using AirDrop — no third-party apps, no messy hacks, and no more “green bubble vs blue bubble” drama when it comes to sending photos or videos.
The new feature expands Android’s Quick Share to work seamlessly with Apple’s AirDrop. For the first time, a Pixel 10 can show up in an iPhone’s AirDrop menu, and an iPhone can appear as a Quick Share target on a Pixel. In simple terms, Pixel 10 users can now beam files straight to iPhones, iPads, and Macs just like Apple users do with each other.
A Step Toward Better Cross-Platform Sharing
Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem at Google, called this update an important step in making technology feel more connected and less restrictive.
“Technology should help bring folks together. Really excited that sharing files between Android and iOS just got easier — starting with Pixel 10, Quick Share now works with AirDrop — so you don’t have to worry about what kind of phone your friends have,” he said.
Right now, this capability is exclusive to the new Pixel 10 family, which includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But Samat confirmed that the feature will expand to more Android devices soon.
How the Cross-Platform Sharing Works
Google essentially taught the Pixel 10 to speak the same “wireless discovery language” that Apple devices use to find each other. Once both phones are visible, the transfer works just like a normal AirDrop or Quick Share session.
To send a file from an iPhone to a Pixel 10:
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On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings > AirDrop.
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Set visibility to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
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On the Pixel 10, select the file and tap Share > Quick Share.
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The Apple device will appear on the list — tap it.
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The Apple user simply taps Accept on the pop-up.
To send a file from a Pixel 10 to an iPhone:
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On the Pixel 10, go to Settings > Quick Share.
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Set visibility to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
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On the Apple device, choose a file and tap Share > AirDrop.
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The Pixel 10 will appear in the device list.
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The Pixel user taps Accept to receive the file.
This integration marks one of the biggest steps yet toward breaking down the longstanding barrier between Android and iOS. And if Google’s hints are anything to go by, this could be just the beginning of a more unified sharing experience across devices.
