Google today today surprisingly announced a new cross-platform feature that allows file sharing between Apple and Android users. The new feature allows file transfer functionality between AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Google Pixel 10 devices.
The file sharing option works on Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On the Android side of things, the functionality requires a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Fold.
While Apple and Google have been known to work together in developing cross-platform features – including RCS messaging, unknown tracker identification and alerts, and SIM transfers – Apple apparently had nothing to do with this new feature. Google apparently created it on its own, with Apple not learning about it until Google made the announcement.
Google told Android Authority:
We accomplished this through our own implementation. Our implementation was thoroughly vetted by our own privacy and security teams, and we also engaged a third party security firm to pentest the solution.
Apple has not previously supported third-party workarounds for interoperability between the iOS and Android platforms. The most recent instance that comes to mind is how Apple worked to put a stop to Beeper’s iMessage for Android feature back in 2023.
However, Google is a much larger opponent than Beeper, and it will likely be tougher to oppose the feature. This is especially true, given Apple’s facing heavier regulatory pressure over its actions than it was a few years ago.
Google says it implemented the file sharing feature by using an interoperability layer between Quick Share and AirDrop that uses the Rust programming language. It also claims the protocol is fully secure.
We built this with security at its core, protecting your data with strong safeguards that were tested by independent security experts. It’s just one more way we’re bringing better compatibility that people are asking for between operating systems, following our work on RCS and unknown tracker alerts.
Google says Apple device users will need to change their AirDrop visibility to Everyone for 10 Minutes to be able to accept a file transfer from a Pixel 10 device. On the Pixel end of things, the Pixel 10 user will need to turn on the Everyone for 10 minutes setting or enter into Receive mode on the Quick Share page to receive files from an Apple user. All transfered files are saved in the Files app.
