Pixel 10 Quick Share to AirDrop: How to Send Files to iPhone

Cracking the Ecosystem: Google Bridges the Gap Between Quick Share and AirDrop.

Seamless file transfer from Pixel 10 Quick Share to iPhone AirDrop. Image: Google

For years, the "green bubble vs. blue bubble" debate wasn't just about text messages; it was about the visceral frustration of standing next to a friend and being unable to send them a 4K video or high-quality photo without degrading it through email or WhatsApp. That era effectively ended yesterday with the release of the Pixel 10.

In a move that stunned the tech world, Google has unilaterally bridged the digital divide. You can now use Quick Share on your Pixel 10 to send files directly to AirDrop on an Apple device—and vice versa. No third-party apps, no clunky workarounds, and surprisingly, no official help from Apple.

Kudos to Google for finally delivering the cross-platform file sharing solution we have all been waiting for. Below is your complete guide to using this breakthrough feature, how it works under the hood, and the few limitations you need to know.

The Breakthrough: Android Quick Share Meets iOS AirDrop

Today, Google officially rolled out the update to its Pixel 10 users, a feature many claimed was impossible: native sharing between Android Quick Share and iPhone AirDrop.

In an official blog post, Google announced that starting now, Pixel and iPhone users can send and receive files seamlessly. Interestingly, this new feature was not a collaboration between Google and Apple. Instead, Google engineers reverse-engineered the interoperability layer to allow the two distinct protocols to "shake hands."

How to Send Files from Pixel 10 to iPhone

Gif: Google

This process is shockingly seamless, but because it relies on a specific AirDrop setting, you have to get the setup right.

Prerequisites

• Sender: A Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, or Pixel 10 Pro XL.
  
  
• Receiver: An iPhone (running iOS 18 or later), iPad, or Mac with AirDrop enabled.
  
  
• Software: Ensure your Pixel 10 has the latest "Quick Share Extension" update from the Google Play Store.

Note: If you don't see Apple devices immediately, restart your Pixel after installing this update.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the iPhone: Ask the iPhone user to open their Control Center, long-press the network settings box, tap AirDrop, and select "Everyone for 10 Minutes."
   
   
   Why? Google’s implementation currently cannot see iPhones set to "Contacts Only" due to Apple’s strict privacy protocols regarding iCloud key hashing.
   
   
2. Select Your File: On your Pixel 10, open the photo, video, or document you want to transfer.
   
   
3. Tap Quick Share: Select the Quick Share icon in the share sheet.
   
   
4. Choose the Apple Device: You will see the iPhone appear in the scanning list, identified just like any other Android device. Tap it.
   
   
5. Accept on iPhone: The iPhone user will receive a standard AirDrop prompt asking to "Accept" or "Decline" the file. Once they tap Accept, the transfer begins immediately.

How to Send Files from iPhone to Pixel 10

The street goes both ways. iPhone users can now "AirDrop" files to your Pixel without realizing they are technically bridging two operating systems.

1. Prepare the Pixel: Pull down your Quick Settings shade and tap the Quick Share tile. Ensure it is set to "Everyone" (or "Everyone for 10 minutes").
   
   
2. Send from iPhone: The iPhone user opens their file, taps Share, and then taps the AirDrop icon.
   
   
3. Select the Pixel: Your Pixel 10 will appear on their AirDrop radar. They simply tap your icon.
   
   
4. Accept the File: You will get a prompt on your Pixel asking if you want to receive a file from the iPhone. Tap Accept.

The "Magic" Behind the Curtain: How It Works

You might be wondering how Google pulled this off without Apple's permission.

It's Peer-to-Peer, Not Cloud-Based

Contrary to early speculation, this doesn't upload your file to a Google server and then download it on the iPhone. Google's security team reverse-engineered the localized communication protocols. The transfer is direct peer-to-peer, utilizing a combination of Bluetooth (for discovery) and Wi-Fi Direct (for the heavy lifting of data transfer). This ensures the transfer is fast, maintaining original quality.

Why "Everyone for 10 Minutes"?

The biggest friction point right now is that you cannot use "Contacts Only."

• Apple's "Contacts Only" mode uses a sophisticated hashing process involving phone numbers and Apple IDs to verify identity before showing the device. Google doesn't have access to Apple's private iCloud keys, so it can't authenticate as a "Contact."
  
  
• "Everyone" mode broadcasts the device's availability to anyone nearby using a standard protocol that Google can now interact with.

Security Concerns

Google has been proactive about security questions, likely anticipating pushback from Apple. They utilized Rust, a memory-safe programming language, to build this interoperability layer. This significantly reduces vulnerabilities like buffer overflows. Furthermore, because the data is never routed through a third-party server, your privacy remains intact during the transfer.

Current Limitations

While this is a massive leap forward for smartphone interoperability, it isn't perfect yet. Keep these constraints in mind:

• Pixel 10 Exclusive (For Now): Currently, this feature is only available on the Pixel 10 series. Google has stated they are bringing it to these devices first, though a rollout to older Pixels (like the Pixel 9 or 8) is technically possible in the future.
  
  
• Manual Settings Required: The requirement to switch the iPhone to "Everyone for 10 Minutes" is a slight hurdle compared to the passive ease of "Contacts Only."
  
  
• No Group Transfers: You currently have to send files to Apple devices one by one, rather than batch-selecting multiple people at once.

Why This Matters

For the last decade, file sharing was a walled garden. Apple users stayed inside the AirDrop walls, and Android users relied on Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share). Breaking this barrier creates a "people-first" ecosystem where the technology serves the user's intent—sharing a memory—rather than blocking it based on brand loyalty.

While we wait to see if Apple will block this in a future iOS update or embrace the interoperability (perhaps heavily encouraged by the EU's Digital Markets Act), Pixel 10 users can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The wall hasn't fallen completely, but there is definitely a door in it now. And Google has also promised to "expand it to more Android devices" soon.

Gif: Google