It’s actually happened – Android now works with Apple AirDrop for simple file-sharing, starting with the Pixel 10

• Android Quick Share now works with Apple AirDrop for sharing files
• It means simple file-sharing between Android and iPhones, iPads, and Macs
• It'll roll out on the Pixel 10 before expanding to other Android devices

The spicy Android vs iPhone debate just got a little less heated – Google has announced that Android Quick Share now officially works with Apple's AirDrop for simple file-sharing between the rivals.

That's right, Android's equivalent of AirDrop – which lets you easily send files between Android devices, along with Chromebooks and Windows machines – now supports Apple's AirDrop system, starting with the Pixel 10 series from today.

This means quickly sending photos, videos, and other files between Android devices and iPhones, iPads, and Macs should, in theory, soon be as seamless as sharing files between devices of the same kind. It's a cross-platform feature that many suspected would never happen despite longstanding rumors, but here it is.

How will it work? According to a short video that Google shared (below), you'll simply need to open Quick Share on your Android device, and Apple devices will appear as a sharing option.

Once your iPhone-owning friend accepts the invite, you'll be able to fling photos, videos, or files their way. It'll be a two-way affair too, so Android devices will also appear among AirDrop's sharing targets. That's despite this not being an official collaboration between Google and Apple – this is Google's own implementation, so it'll be interesting to see how Apple reacts.

Not quite full AirDrop

This isn't quite full AirDrop compatibility for Android – as Google explained in a separate blog post, it'll only work if AirDrop is in its 'Everyone for 10 minutes' mode (in other words, a short-term connection). Google says it would "welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable ‘Contacts Only’ mode in the future.”

Still, it is a big step forward for simple file-sharing between Android and Apple devices. Google also stressed the strong built-in security features of this new AirDrop compatibility, explaining that "this feature does not use a workaround" and that "the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared".

While it's a shame it will only initially work with the Google Pixel 10 series, Google added that "this is just the first step as we work to improve the experience and expand it to more devices".

There are already unofficial third-party tools available like NearDrop that do a similar job, but this official option promises to be more convenient, seamless, and secure. The feature isn't currently available on our Pixel 10 or our Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but we'll report back when we've tried it.

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