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AirDrop Files to Android Phones has just become much easier. Google announced a new feature that allows iPhone users to AirDrop files directly to certain Android devices. This breakthrough links Apple’s AirDrop with Google’s QuickShare, allowing seamless wireless file transfers regardless of the platform. We see this as a major step in bridging communication gaps between iOS and Android users.
Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android with Pixel 10 Devices
Previously, transferring files from an iPhone to an Android device involved complicated workarounds or third-party apps. With this new update, owners of the Pixel 10 series devices can receive files straight from Apple’s AirDrop service. This works on iPhones, iPads, and Macs sending to Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold. SquaredTech explains how this cross-platform solution functions and what users need to do to start sharing files effortlessly.
Read more on our article of, Google Pixel 10 Phones Redefine AI and Camera Power: Google’s Biggest Upgrade Yet, published on August 22nd, 2025, SquaredTech.
How the AirDrop and QuickShare Cross-Platform File Sharing Works
This new feature combines Apple’s AirDrop protocol with Google’s QuickShare system, creating a simple method for file transfers between iPhones and Pixel 10 devices. Apple devices send files exactly like they do with other Apple products, and Pixel 10 phones receive and save these files seamlessly through QuickShare.
For an iPhone user to transfer a file to a Pixel 10 phone, there is a key setting adjustment required. The iPhone must set its AirDrop visibility to “Everyone for 10 minutes.” This means the iPhone temporarily allows file sharing from any device for a limited time. Once this setting is activated, if a Pixel 10 device attempts to send a file, the iPhone will recognize it the same way it recognizes another iPhone — with a familiar notification and the option to tap “Accept.”
On the other side, Pixel 10 users have two options to receive files from Apple devices. They can either switch on the “Everyone for 10 minutes” sharing mode in QuickShare or activate Receive mode on the QuickShare page before accepting incoming files. Received files are saved directly to the Files app, keeping them organized and easy to access.
We highlight this mutual acknowledgment feature as a sign of thoughtful design, where both devices display the sender’s device name before file acceptance. This helps prevent accidental transfers and reassures users that the connection is legitimate.
Security and Privacy Features Behind AirDrop and QuickShare Interoperability
Google and Apple designed this interoperability with a layered approach to security to protect users on both platforms. Our research team analyzes how these safety measures work to keep file sharing safe.
To start with, the connection between devices does not rely on cloud servers. Instead, the devices connect directly to each other through a peer-to-peer method. This direct channel minimizes the risk of interception because data is sent only between the two devices without passing through external networks.
Both iOS and Android have built-in platform protections activated during these transfers. The process requires explicit user consent before accepting any file, which blocks unauthorized or accidental sending. Users see clear prompts on their screen to approve or deny the transfer.
Beyond the consent step, device name verification provides a second line of defense. Users can confirm the sender’s identity before completing the transfer, reducing the chances of file sharing from unknown sources.
We consider these features vital, especially for users who handle sensitive information and want to avoid privacy risks when sharing files between phones from different manufacturers.
The Current Limitations and Future Prospects of Cross-Platform AirDrop Sharing
At launch, this cross-platform AirDrop functionality works only when AirDrop is set to “Everyone for 10 minutes.” This temporary sharing window protects users from continuous exposure by limiting incoming connections to that brief period.
However, we note that this limitation also reduces convenience because users must remember to enable this setting each time they want to share files. Apple’s more restricted “Contacts Only” mode, which only allows file sharing between known contacts, is a popular and safer option for many iPhone users but is not yet supported for transfers involving Pixel 10 devices.
Google has expressed interest in collaborating with Apple to extend cross-platform sharing to support “Contacts Only” mode in the future. If successful, this would make the feature both more secure and easier to use by restricting file transfers to trusted contacts.
Meanwhile, we expect that wider adoption of this interoperability will encourage other Android manufacturers to adopt similar cross-platform sharing capabilities. This innovation could finally break down the long-standing divide between iOS and Android users and eliminate the need for third-party apps when sharing media, documents, or other files.
Conclusion
Squaredtech welcomes Google’s announcement of AirDrop and QuickShare interoperability as a significant breakthrough in wireless file sharing. iPhone users can now send files effortlessly to Pixel 10 devices, and the feature is built on a secure, peer-to-peer connection with clear user consent. While initially limited to the “Everyone for 10 minutes” sharing window, there are plans to expand functionality for better user control and security.
This development simplifies sharing between Apple and Android devices, solving a problem many users have faced for years. We encourages users with Pixel 10 devices and Apple products to try this feature and experience seamless cross-platform file transfers.
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