Pixel 10 phones are now compatible with AirDrop
In a groundbreaking development for smartphone users, Google has announced that Pixel 10 owners can now send and receive files with Apple devices via AirDrop, a feature previously exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem. This integration allows seamless file sharing between Pixel 10 devices and iPhones, iPads, and macOS devices, marking a significant shift in cross-platform compatibility. According to Google spokesperson Alex Moriconi, this feature will initially be available only on the Pixel 10 series, with plans to expand to additional devices in the future. Users can easily initiate file transfers by making their Apple devices discoverable for a limited time, enabling them to receive files through Google’s Quick Share feature.
The technology behind this integration is noteworthy for its security measures. Google has emphasized that the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning that shared data is not routed through any servers, and no logs are kept of the content exchanged. This transparency aims to alleviate concerns regarding privacy and data security, especially in light of potential pushback from Apple regarding the feature’s implementation. Google’s security blog also mentioned an independent assessment from NetSPI to further validate the security of this new functionality. While the feature currently remains exclusive to Google’s Pixel 10, it represents a significant leap forward for Android users, who have long been at a disadvantage when it comes to seamless sharing with Apple devices. As the tech landscape evolves, this move, alongside the adoption of RCS messaging on iPhones, could signify a broader trend toward reducing the barriers between different operating systems, making cross-platform interactions more fluid and user-friendly.
This development not only enhances the functionality of the Pixel 10 but also reflects a growing recognition of the importance of interoperability in the tech industry. With Apple’s AirDrop being a widely praised feature for its ease of use, Google’s adoption of similar capabilities could encourage further collaboration between the two tech giants. As users increasingly expect seamless experiences across different platforms, this could be a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of smartphone technology. The future may hold even more enhancements in cross-platform functionality, fostering a more inclusive digital environment for users regardless of their device preferences.
Sharing? Across platforms? In this economy?
Google
just announced
some unexpected and welcome news: Pixel 10 owners can now send and receive files with Apple devices over AirDrop. According to Google, this works with iPhone, iPad, and macOS devices, and applies to the entire Pixel 10 series. It’s limited to Google’s latest phones for now, but Google spokesperson Alex Moriconi says, “We’re bringing this new experience to Pixel 10 first before expanding to other devices.”
In order to send a file from a Pixel 10 phone over AirDrop, the owner of the Apple device will need to change their settings to make their device discoverable to anyone — there’s an option to do this with an automatic limit of 10 minutes. Then, the Pixel 10 owner should be able to see the device using Quick Share and send it. On the other side, it seems that it’ll look just like any other AirDrop request that the user can approve to start the transfer.
According to
support documentation
, it goes the other way, too. Likewise, the Pixel 10 device will need to be discoverable to anyone or in receive mode. Then the Apple device owner starts an AirDrop transfer, the Pixel owner accepts, and voila: cross-platform sharing.
A
post on Google’s security blog
goes into greater detail about how it’s implemented, claiming “This feature does not use a workaround; the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared.”
What it doesn’t say, however, is that it was added with any involvement from Apple — only that “we welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable ‘Contacts Only’ mode in the future.” The blog post details Google’s reasoning for why this implementation is secure, along with mentioning an independent security assessment from NetSPI (
pdf
), preemptively pushing back on reasons Apple might cite to block compatibility. We’ve reached out to Apple for comment on this announcement, and will update if we hear anything.
Notably, this isn’t an
Android
feature yet — it’s currently limited to Google’s own phones, and the latest generation at that. Still, it’s kind of huge news for Android users. Seamless sharing between Apple devices with AirDrop is one of those extremely helpful features that’s been kept inside the walled garden until now. With RCS now widely in use on iPhones, making cross-platform messaging easier, it seems like another meaningful step forward to
lowering those garden walls
.
