Google has announced that Android smartphones will now be able to natively send and receive files with Apple iPhones, significantly bridging a long-standing divide between the two mobile operating systems.
This new functionality leverages Google’s Quick Share and Apple’s AirDrop systems, allowing for direct, peer-to-peer file transfers without the need for an internet connection or third-party applications. Users can exchange data, photos, and other files seamlessly.
The feature will initially be limited to Google Pixel 10 phones. Other Android devices are expected to receive updates enabling this compatibility in the future.
For iPhone users, the sharing is currently supported only when AirDrop is set to “Everyone for 10 Minutes.” Future developments are anticipated to include support for the “Contacts Only” mode.
This marks a notable departure from Apple’s traditional strategy of maintaining a closed ecosystem, where features like AirDrop were exclusively available within its own family of devices. The move by Google and Apple indicates a broader trend toward greater cross-platform functionality.
This is not the first instance of increased collaboration between the two tech giants. In 2024, iPhones began supporting Rich Communication Services (RCS), a more secure and encrypted messaging standard that has long been a staple on Android devices, replacing older SMS and MMS protocols.
Additionally, Android devices recently gained the ability to detect Apple AirTags, another example of the gradual erosion of barriers between the two dominant mobile platforms.