When Google announced AirDrop support for Pixel devices last year, it was a bit of a bombshell. For years, file sharing was just one of those things that didn’t mix well between iPhone and Android. Email, texting, agreeing on a third-party app; none of the options were convenient, especially when each platform had its own easy-to-use solution: AirDrop or Quick Share. But opening up AirDrop support for Android phones bridges the gap in a meaningful way: Now, you can send a friend with an iPhone a picture, video, or file from your Pixel, and vice versa—as quickly and efficiently as if you both had the same type of smartphone.
Unfortunately, in the six months since Google’s original announcement, the rollout has been quite slow. At launch, only the Pixel 10 line supported AirDrop. Since then, Google opened up AirDrop support for the Pixel 9 series as well as the Pixel 8a. Then, in March, Samsung announced support for the Galaxy S26 series. Oppo also launched compatibility for the Find X9 series and Find N6, while Vivo rolled out support for the Vivo X300 Ultra. If you have a different Android phone than what’s listed here, however, it sadly 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 Tuesday, Google announced that more Android devices would 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 receive support. In addition, it’s not clear whether the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S24 FE also fall into the above list.
What do you think so far?
Your Android phone can still support easy file sharing without AirDrop
If you have an Android phone that isn’t listed here, you aren’t entirely cut out of the AirDrop equation. In fact, Google is rolling out a feature for Android devices that let them tap into easy file sharing, but via a QR code. It’s a new option you’ll find in the Quick Share menu: By using a QR code, your file moves to the cloud—from here, have your iPhone friends scan the QR code to retrieve the file. There’s not a ton of info about this functionality just yet, but I’d imagine there are some privacy implications here. AirDrop and Quick Share send files directly from one device to another: Getting the cloud involved opens up the risk for other parties (Google included) to access your data. But, at the same time, at least there’s another option on the way for users to share files without having to resort to email.
