Sharing photos, documents or videos between devices of different brands has become a daily necessity for many users. Until recently, this process required third-party apps, cables, or cloud services, which can complicate the transfer and make it less secure. The emergence of functions that allow direct transmission of information has greatly simplified this task, making the exchange faster, more reliable and accessible to everyone.
In recent months, compatibility between Android and Apple has taken an important step. Thanks to the integration of technologies like Quick Share and the adaptation of AirDrop to more open standards, it is now possible to send and receive files between teams without relying on external solutions. This advance not only improves the user experience, but also demonstrates how technological decisions and regulations can directly impact the way users manage their daily information.
How does AirDrop work on Android?
This function allows Android phones to send and receive information from Apple devices without having to install additional applications. The basis of the action is found in Quick Share, Google’s tool, which can now connect to the AirDrop function found on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Sharing content between your Android device and iPhone is a simple process, as long as both are configured properly. On the Apple device that will receive the data, you need to activate AirDrop and make sure it is visible. For security reasons, it is recommended to limit reception to a specific time period, such as “Everyone for 10 minutes”, or limit it to “Contacts” only, thus reducing possible unwanted access.
From the Android mobile phone that will be sending the information, the user must locate the document, video or photo he wants to transfer and press the “Share” option. Among the available alternatives, Quick Share was selected. At that moment, the receiving device will appear in the proximity list, and after selecting it, the connection will begin. The iPhone user must accept the receipt from the corresponding notification. Once transmission is complete, the data is automatically saved to the system’s default location, ready for immediate access.
The process works similarly in reverse, from iPhone to Android device. First, the Android device that will serve as the recipient opens Quick Share and remains visible and ready to receive the information. On your iPhone, select the content and tap the Share icon. In AirDrop, you choose an Android terminal and start the transfer. Content access is indicated in the Share with Me section of Quick Share, where the user accepts the download, which is stored in the device’s destination folder.
Right now, only certain Pixel models and some other select phones can take advantage of this functionality. Over time, more computers are expected to join the consensus, expanding the pool of users who can exchange information directly between systems. This solution makes it easy to manage documents, photos and videos between different operating systems without relying on external applications or cloud services.
The role of the European Union in device compatibility
At the beginning of 2025, the European Union established rules that seek to improve connectivity between mobile devices, even if they are from different brands. This represents a relevant change for Apple, whose AirDrop functionality had until then relied on an exclusive system that only worked within its ecosystem. With the new regulation, the company had to adapt its equipment so that file transfer was more open and compatible with other systems.
To meet these requirements, iPhones have begun to incorporate the Wi-Fi Aware standard, a protocol that allows direct communication between different devices. Although Apple participated in developing this technology, its adoption has become mandatory.
This measure reminds us of what happened with the Lightning port, which was replaced by the USB-C port according to European standardization policies, so that chargers and accessories became compatible between different brands. Likewise, Wi-Fi Aware allows Apple devices to connect to Android devices without relying on adapters or third-party apps.