Google Teases Major AirDrop Expansion for Android Coming Soon

Taylor Keatsman

Published: February 5, 2026 5:46 PM ET

Google Teases Major AirDrop Expansion for Android Coming Soon

Android users are set to benefit from a significant expansion of the AirDrop feature, with enhancements to the existing Quick Share functionality. Historically known as Google Nearby Share, Quick Share allows file sharing between Android devices.

Apple’s AirDrop Integration

Until recently, Quick Share was unable to communicate with Apple’s AirDrop. However, a directive from the European Union required Apple to adopt the Wi-Fi Aware standard for AirDrop. This change has prompted Google to enable support for this feature in the Pixel 10 lineup.

Native Support Without Collaboration

Interestingly, Google confirmed that it achieved this compatibility without direct collaboration with Apple. This strategic move opens doors for smoother file transfers between Android and Apple devices.

Updates to Quick Share

In a bid to streamline updates, Google has introduced a Play Store extension for Quick Share. This change enables it to function as an independent APK, rather than solely a part of Play Services. The update is designed to facilitate quicker rollouts of new features across the Android ecosystem.

Current Compatibility and Future Expansion

At present, the extension supports a limited number of Android devices, but an expansion is anticipated as AirDrop functionality becomes available on more platforms this year.

Seamless File Transfers

With the upcoming integration, Android users can share files directly with iOS and macOS devices without needing additional applications. For this connection to work, Apple users must enable the “Everyone for 10 minutes” option in their AirDrop settings.

Limitations and Expectations

While Google’s update allows Android users to take advantage of the Wi-Fi Aware system, it does not extend to Apple’s contact-based sharing methods. This limitation is expected to persist in future updates.

As for timing, Google often pairs these significant updates with Pixel Drops. The next anticipated update is scheduled for March, featuring enhancements in location privacy, the At a Glance feature, and more.