when Google announced AirDrop support for Pixel devices last yearIt was a bit of a bombshell. For years, file sharing was one of the things that didn’t mix well between iPhone and Android. Agree on email, texting, third-party applications; Neither option was convenient, especially when every platform has its own easy-to-use solution: AirDrop or Quick Share. But the opening of AirDrop support for Android phones bridges the gap in a meaningful way: Now, you can send a picture, video or file from your Pixel to a friend with an iPhone, and vice versa—as quickly and efficiently as if you both had the same smartphone.
Unfortunately, in the six months since Google’s original announcement, the rollout has been very slow. At launch, only the Pixel 10 line supported AirDrop. Since then, Google has opened up AirDrop support for the Pixel 9 series as well as the Pixel 8a. Then, in March, Samsung has announced support for the Galaxy S26 series. Oppo has also launched compatibility For Find X9 series and Find N6, while Vivo rolled out support for Vivo X300 Ultra. If you have a different Android phone than the one listed here, however, it unfortunately doesn’t support AirDrop — at least, not yet.
Airdrop support is on the way for these devices
During the Android Show: I/O edition on TuesdayGoogle announced that more Android devices will soon have AirDrop support, democratizing file sharing for more users. At this time, The following devices are on track to receive support later this year:
Google is also expanding support for certain Xiaomi phones this year, but it’s not yet clear which devices will get support. Furthermore, it is not clear whether the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S24 FE also fall in the above list.
What do you think so far?
Your Android phone can still support simple file sharing without AirDrop
If you have an Android phone that isn’t listed here, you’re not completely out of the AirDrop equation. In fact, Google is rolling out a feature for Android devices that lets them tap into simple file sharing, but via a QR code. It’s a new option you’ll find in the Quick Share menu: Using a QR code, your file goes to the cloud—from here, let your iPhone friends scan the QR code to retrieve the file. There isn’t a ton of information about this functionality yet, but I would imagine there are some privacy implications here. AirDrop and QuickShare send files directly from one device to another: Involving the cloud opens up the risk for other parties (including Google) to access your data. But, at the same time, there is at least another option on the way for users to share files without resorting to email.
