Google Expands Android iPhone File Sharing

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 17, 2026

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Google is expanding Quick Share on Android, making it easier for users to send photos, videos and files between Android phones and iPhones after years of relying on workarounds such as messaging apps, email or cloud links.

The update does not mean AirDrop is becoming a standard Android app. Instead, Google is making Quick Share compatible with AirDrop on supported Android phones, allowing smoother file transfers between Android and Apple devices. Google says the feature is expanding in 2026 to more partners, including Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi and HONOR.

For Android phones that do not support direct AirDrop compatibility, Google is adding another option. Quick Share can now generate a QR code that an iPhone user can scan to receive content through the cloud. Google began rolling out the QR code feature on May 12, 2026, and says it will be available to all Android phones within about a month.

According to specialist technology reports, devices that currently support direct AirDrop compatibility include the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, Google Pixel 10 series, Pixel 9 series, Pixel 8a, OPPO Find X9 series, OPPO Find N6 and Vivo X300 Ultra. Additional devices expected to receive support later this year include the Samsung Galaxy S25 and S24 series, newer Fold and Flip models, OPPO Find X8, OnePlus 15, HONOR Magic V6 and Magic8 Pro, while Xiaomi has confirmed plans without naming specific models yet.

The change matters because it addresses a common everyday problem for families, students and workplaces where people use different phones. Sending a large video or document from Android to iPhone has often required extra steps. Google’s update aims to make that exchange faster and less frustrating.

Google also says it worked with Apple to improve the process of switching from iPhone to Android. The upgraded transfer tool will allow users to move photos, messages, apps, contacts, passwords, eSIM data and even home screen layouts wirelessly to new Android devices, starting with Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this year.

For consumers, the broader message is clear: the walls between phone ecosystems are starting to become less restrictive. The easier it becomes to share files and move data between platforms, the more freedom users have to choose the device that fits their needs.