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Google has just launched a feature on the Pixel 10 series that allows users to use Android Quick Share with the iPhone’s AirDrop feature. At first, I was thinking that two BigTech companies are coming together to make sharing better for their users until I heard Alex Moriconi from Google telling Engadget that "we accomplished this through our own implementation." I mean, for cats and dogs to have lived together, why can't bigtech companies replicate it?
Well, that's by the way. The good news is that Android users and iPhone users now have a way to share files between themselves. The Quick Share with Airdrop makes it much easier for both Android users and iOS users to share files, videos, and photos between one another. But one clause that's holding masses back is that this feature is currently available to users of Google Pixel 10 series. Meanwhile, Google has promised to expand the feature to other devices.
How does this works?
The tactics behind this sharing protocol is simple. The sending and receiving protocols work the same way Quick Share currently does. But if you're looking into the security and privacy standpoint of this protocol, Google has already provided a detailed info in its technical blog. You can check it out for the full security and privacy standpoint of the system.
But here’s the clear explanation of how sharing works between Android Quick Share and Apple's Airdrop:
- Like I have said earlier, the Android’s Quick Share works almost the same way as Apple’s AirDrop when sharing files between the platforms.
- The Apple device receiving the file must set its AirDrop visibility to “Everyone for 10 Minutes.”
- The compatible Apple devices that can use this technology are iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.
- On the other hand, Google devices that are currently compatible are Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
- This temporary setting allows people outside your contacts to send files via AirDrop or Quick Share.
- Once the Apple device is visible, the Pixel 10 (or Android) user will see the Apple device listed when using Quick Share.
- The Android user can then select the Apple device and send files just like a normal Quick Share transfer.
Sharing Files
If you want to use this feature to share files between Android phone and iPhone, then follow these below guidelines:
- Choose or select the file(s)—photos, documents, videos, or contact—you want to share, and pick Quick Share as your sharing method.
- Turn on Airdrop on the iPhone and ensure the setting is set to "Everyone for 10 Minutes Only."
- Doing that will let the iPhone to see the Android, and can receive or send files without interruption.
These sounds like what you're used to right? Well, I have said it before that sharing between Quick Share and the Airdrop work in the same manner as the Quick Share currently does.
In addition to that Google adds that Android phones can also accept files sent from Apple devices through AirDrop. But to do this, you will need to switch your Quick Share visibility to “everyone for 10 minutes” or enable receive mode on the Quick Share screen.
