Google wants file sharing between Android phones and iPhones to be easier

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• Google to expand Android-to-iPhone file sharing to more devices in 2026
• Quick Share app will enable cross-platform sharing beyond Pixel phones
• Google and Apple developing better tools for easier platform switching.

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Google is getting ready to make sharing files between Android phones and iPhones much easier, and this time it will not be limited to Pixel users.

Last year, Google surprised everyone by allowing Android phones to share files directly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs using Apple’s AirDrop system. It arrived quietly and worked only on the Pixel 10 series. Google did not explain when other Android phones would get the feature, which left many people wondering if it would stay exclusive.

Now, we finally have an answer.

At a press briefing in Taipei, Eric Kay, who leads engineering for the Android platform, confirmed that Google plans to bring this feature to many more Android devices in 2026. According to him, the company has already tested the system thoroughly with iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks made by Apple. With that work done, Google is now teaming up with other companies to roll it out more widely.

This did not happen by accident. Instead of keeping the feature tied to Pixel software, Google turned Quick Share into a full app that can be updated through the Play Store. That was an early sign that the company wanted this feature to reach beyond Pixel phones.

While Google has not named specific brands yet, there are some strong hints. Nothing has already said it is working on adding this feature to its phones. Chip maker Qualcomm has also suggested that phones powered by Snapdragon chips could support the same kind of file sharing in the future.

If this plan works, it could remove one of the biggest reasons people stay locked into Apple’s ecosystem. AirDrop has long made it easier to share photos, videos, and files between Apple devices. Android users often had to rely on apps or slower methods. That gap may finally be closing.

Google is also focusing on people who want to switch from iPhone to Android. The company says it is working on better tools to move data from old phones so users do not feel they are starting from scratch. Back in December, Google and Apple confirmed they are working together on smoother ways to switch between their platforms.

For Android users, this could mean fewer barriers and less frustration. For iPhone users thinking of switching, it could make the move feel much simpler than before.