Today is a good day.
Android Quick Share now works with AirDrop on iPhone. Not only that .. but you’ll also be able to transfer files to your iPad or Mac. I’ve tried it and it works – both ways. Some files went quickly, others a little slow, but they all worked. This is a big bonus for creatives who love using their Android phones but edit on Mac. You’ll need a Pixel 10 series phone at this stage and you must update the Quick Share app. I detail the steps required at the bottom of the page.
Up until now you’ve had to use a third party app or use a cable to move photos and videos from your Android device to a Mac computer. It’s a massive hassle and discouraged Android/Mac use. Now, thanks to the engineers at Google, Pixel 10 users can share files with their Apple systems. But there could be a problem.
Google did not collaborate with Apple to make file sharing work via AirDrop. This means Apple could shut the whole thing down with an update in the future.
“We built Quick Share’s interoperability support for AirDrop with the same rigorous security standards that we apply to all Google products,” Google said in a security blog.
“Our approach to security is proactive and deeply integrated into every stage of the development process. This includes: Threat Modeling: We identify and address potential security risks before they can become a problem. Internal Security Design and Privacy Reviews: Our dedicated security and privacy teams thoroughly review the design to ensure it meets our high standards. Internal Penetration Testing: We conduct extensive in-house testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities.”
Receive content on an iPhone, iPad, or macOS device
If you are sharing with a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold:
- On your iPhone, iPad or macOS device, change your AirDrop visibility to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Tap or click Accept on the AirDrop notification.
Adjust Quick Share visibility settings
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- In the Settings app’s search bar, enter QUICK SHARE.
- Tap Who can share with you.
- Select from:
- Your devices: If your screen is off, your device is still visible to your other devices with the same Google Account.
- Contacts: While your screen is on and unlocked, your device is visible to your nearby contacts.
- Everyone for 10 minutes: To protect your privacy, your visibility automatically switches back to your previous selection after 10 minutes.
You’ll need to request an update to the QUICK SHARE app. Here are the steps:
- SETTINGS
- YOUR PROFILE
- SYSTEM SERVICES
- QUICK SHARE EXTENSION
- UPDATE
I’ve already started using this on my Macs and it’s awesome. Let’s hope this expands to other Android devices soon and Apple doesn’t hit the kill switch.
Afterall, shouldn’t we all try to work together?
