Google delighted its Pixel users last year by introducing an updated version of Quick Share that worked with Apple’s AirDrop, but it has remained exclusive to the Pixel 10 series with a promise to bring it to older Pixel phones as well.
Now Eric Kay, Vice President of Engineering at Google, confirmed that Quick Share compatibility with Apple’s AirDrop is coming to a wider range of Android devices.
Maybe the signs were there all along after Google upgraded the Quick Share Extension from a system app to a full-fledged APK that can be found on Google Play. This was a clear sign that Google plans to expand the feature to all Android phones, not tied to Pixel-only hardware.
Eric Kay said that the Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability is coming later this year after testing it out on the Pixel 10 series. The proof of concept appeared to be successful and gave users the ability to share files with iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. It will just take a little bit more time as Google is actively working with partners to make it available on other handsets.
Interestingly enough, Oppo and Xiaomi have already introduced a workaround of their own as the latest ColorOS and HyperOS offer cross-platform AirDrop-like connectivity.