Quick Share and AirDrop: what changed and what did not

In the past year, Android phones went from having no way to send a file to an AirDrop screen to having two. On supported phones, Quick Share now talks to AirDrop directly. On every other Android phone, a Quick Share QR code sends files to Apple devices through Google's servers. What has not changed: it needs AirDrop set to "Everyone for 10 minutes," Contacts Only is not supported, there is no app for the Mac, and the rest of what an iPhone does with a Mac still has no Android equivalent. Here is the timeline, using Google's and Samsung's own posts, checked on 26 October 2026.

What happened, and when?

20 November 2025: Pixel 10

Google's announcement says it built "a way for Quick Share to work with AirDrop." Its separate security post says the feature needs recipient approval before a file arrives, that the connection "is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server," and that Google had the work reviewed by an outside firm, NetSPI. Those are Google's statements. We did not verify them independently.

23 March 2026: Samsung

Samsung's press release says the rollout "begins" on 23 March, "starting in Korea," then "expanding to more regions including Europe, Hong Kong, Japan," and adds that availability and timing vary by market. It says the Galaxy S26 series comes first, that the Share with Apple devices option "is turned on by default," and that more devices will be announced later.

12 May 2026: more phones, and a route for everyone

Google's post says it is "expanding to more partners including Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi and HONOR this year." It also says that if you have no compatible device, you can use Quick Share on any Android phone to make a QR code that shares with Apple devices "via the cloud." Google's current help page adds that the QR route needs internet on both devices, caps shares at 10 GB every 24 hours, and keeps files available for 24 hours.

What can a phone do today?

Google's help page names Pixel 8a or later, plus certain Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, Transsion, and Motorola models, as able to send to Apple devices. Receiving from an Apple device is narrower: Pixel 9 or later except the Pixel 9a, and the same makers' supported models. The model-by-model list is on android.com and in our AirDrop guide. Google warns that availability varies by region, carrier, and device.

What is still missing?

• Contacts Only. Google's security post says Quick Share "currently works with AirDrop's 'Everyone for 10 minutes' mode" and that Google would "welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable 'Contacts Only' mode in the future." So the Apple user has to loosen their AirDrop setting for each transfer.
• A Mac app from Google. Google does not offer Quick Share for macOS, so a Mac relies on AirDrop or a third-party app. We cover the free workaround in Quick Share on a Mac.
• Every Android phone. Only listed models do the direct transfer, and the lists change, so check the current page.
• Everything else Apple does between devices. File sharing is one piece. Clipboard, notifications, texts, calls, and the webcam are separate (see Apple Continuity features for Android).

What does it mean for a Mac owner?

If your phone is on the list, the occasional photo or file to your MacBook is solved for free. Set AirDrop on the Mac to Everyone, send from Quick Share, and accept on the Mac. Set it back afterwards. Start with our AirDrop from Android to a Mac guide, and if it fails, Quick Share to AirDrop not working.

If your phone is not on the list, you have the QR code and free apps such as NearDrop. The Relay publishes this article and sells an app in this space, so weigh this accordingly: it does not do AirDrop, and it is a paid subscription through Google Play. It moves files between your phone and your Mac over your own network, and adds clipboard, notifications, texts and login codes, calls, and the phone as a webcam. See The Relay vs Quick Share and AirDrop for when it adds something and when it does not.

Questions people ask

When did Quick Share start working with AirDrop?

Google said on 20 November 2025 that it was rolling out to the Pixel 10 family. Samsung followed on 23 March 2026 with the Galaxy S26 series.

Does it work with Macs as well as iPhones?

Google's help page covers sending to "an iPhone, iPad, or macOS device," so yes. The Apple device must have AirDrop set to Everyone for 10 minutes.

Is Contacts Only supported yet?

Not according to Google's security post, which says Google would like to work with Apple on it. We found no later page that says it has changed.

Did Apple announce this?

We found no Apple announcement. The Google posts we read do not say Apple took part.