Tech media outlet AppleInsider reported yesterday (Nov 20) that Google’s “Quick Share” feature has now achieved interoperability with AirDrop from Apple — a first: native file‑sharing between the two major mobile operating systems.

This means iPhone, iPad and Mac users can now directly send files to the latest Android devices such as the “Pixel 10”, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Fold, breaking the long‑standing ecosystem barrier.

According to IT Home’s citation of the article, to enable this cross-platform transfer, the user must make a simple setting: Apple device users must set AirDrop’s visibility option to “Everyone (10 minutes)” before receiving files from a Pixel 10 device.

After setup, the incoming‑file notification style and confirmation operation on the recipient Android device will be the same as when receiving a file from another Apple device via AirDrop. Similarly, Pixel 10 users receiving files must enable the “Everyone (10 minutes)” mode or enter “Receiving mode”. All received files will be automatically saved in Android’s “Files” app.

“Barrier broken! iPhone and Android achieve native cross‑platform file sharing.”

Google emphasised that this interoperability is built with multi‑layer security safeguards to ensure safe cross‑platform sharing. The transmission process utilises a secure peer-to-peer direct connection; no server relay is involved, thereby protecting user privacy.

Both devices display each other’s device name, allowing the user to verify it, and the recipient must approve before the transfer starts — effectively preventing malicious receipt.

The function currently supports only the “Everyone (10 minutes)” mode in both systems. However, Google hopes to continue cooperating with Apple to support the “Contacts Only” sharing mode in the future, further improving the user experience. The long-awaited cross-platform file-sharing feature is now available for supported devices.

The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.