The EU made Apple adopt new Wi-Fi standards, and now Android can support AirDrop
In a significant move towards enhancing interoperability between iPhone and Android users, Google has updated its Quick Share feature to support Apple’s AirDrop functionality. This update, announced recently, allows Android users to share files seamlessly with Apple devices that have AirDrop enabled. When Apple devices are set to “everyone for 10 minutes,” they will appear in the Quick Share device list on compatible Android devices, just as other Android phones do. This development is particularly beneficial for mixed-device households or friend groups, where the hassle of sharing files across different ecosystems has often led to frustration.
Currently, this feature is exclusive to Google’s Pixel 10 series, with plans for broader support in the future. However, Google has not provided specific details regarding the timeline for expanding this feature to other Android devices or any required hardware or software updates. It’s important to note that Quick Share will not work with Apple devices set to the default “contacts only” mode, which limits sharing to known contacts. Google has expressed a willingness to collaborate with Apple to enable this mode in the future, although it appears that no such discussions are currently underway. This development marks a step forward in bridging the gap between the two major mobile operating systems, potentially leading to a more cohesive user experience in the future.
As technology continues to evolve, the integration of features like Quick Share and AirDrop highlights the ongoing efforts by both companies to improve user convenience and connectivity. By fostering interoperability, Google and Apple are addressing a common pain point for users, making it easier to share content and communicate across platforms. This update not only enhances the functionality of Android devices but also sets the stage for potential future collaborations that could further streamline the user experience across both ecosystems.
Last year, Apple
finally added support
for Rich Communications Services (RCS) texting to its platforms, improving consistency, reliability, and
security
when exchanging green-bubble texts between the competing iPhone and Android ecosystems. Today, Google is announcing another small step forward in interoperability, pointing to a slightly less annoying future for friend groups or households where not everyone owns an iPhone.
Google
has updated
Android’s Quick Share feature to support Apple’s AirDrop, which allows users of Apple devices to share files directly using a local peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection. Apple devices with AirDrop enabled and set to “everyone for 10 minutes” mode will show up in the Quick Share device list just like another Android phone would, and Android devices that support this new Quick Share version will also show up in the AirDrop menu.
Google will only support this feature on the Pixel 10 series, at least to start. The company is “looking forward to improving the experience and expanding it to more Android devices,” but it didn’t announce anything about a timeline or any hardware or software requirements. Quick Share also won’t work with AirDrop devices working in the default “contacts only” mode, though Google “[welcomes] the opportunity to work with Apple to enable ‘Contacts Only’ mode in the future.” (Reading between the lines: Google and Apple are not currently working together to enable this, and
Google confirmed to The Verge
that Apple hadn’t been involved in this at all.)
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