Android Gets AirDrop-Style Quick Share Beyond Pixel phones

[harlan4096]

Google is widening the availability of AirDrop file sharing on Android, moving the Quick Share feature beyond its initial Pixel-only rollout. What began as an experiment on select Pixel devices is now surfacing on a broader range of Android hardware, signaling that cross-platform sharing is no longer being treated as a niche capability. In addition to the February 2026 Android update, early quick share restrictions tied to specific devices are starting to fall away. Behind-the-scenes platform updates suggest Google is positioning this as a standard Android feature rather than a temporary or experimental add-on.

From Google Pixel Experiment To Android Quick Share Feature

Google first introduced AirDrop compatibility for Android in late 2025 through Quick Share. At launch, the functionality was limited to the Pixel 10 lineup, marking the first time Android devices could send files directly to Apple hardware without relying on third-party apps or cloud services.

Even then, the feature came with conditions. Transfers only worked when Apple devices were set to accept files from “Everyone for 10 minutes,” and both devices needed to be discoverable at the same time. The capability existed, but it was clearly constrained.

Despite those limits, the shift was significant. For the first time, Android gained native, operating system–level interoperability with AirDrop, closing a long-standing gap between the two ecosystems.

That initial exclusivity is now ending. Support has appeared in recent Android Canary builds, and Google has confirmed that Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices are next in line. More importantly, Google says the feature will not remain confined to Pixel hardware.

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