Google is expanding AirDrop support to more Android phones via Quick Share

At a glance:

• Google is rolling out AirDrop support through Android's Quick Share to a wide slate of new devices, including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, OnePlus 15, and Honor Magic V6.
• The Pixel 8a and Oppo Find N6 already have AirDrop support, while Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are conspicuously absent from the confirmed list.
• Analyst Max Weinbach says the feature requires a chipset-level networking tweak for Apple Wireless Direct Link (ADWL), and lower- or mid-range phones are unlikely to qualify.

Which Android phones are confirmed or coming soon

Google's announcement this week clarified which Android handsets will be able to share files with iPhone and Mac through Quick Share's AirDrop implementation. The list stretches across several major OEMs and includes a mix of flagship and foldable devices.

The devices already confirmed as compatible include the Pixel 10 series and Galaxy S26, both of which had previously broken the wall between Android and iPhone file sharing. Google also revealed that two devices not previously on anyone's radar already have the feature: the Pixel 8a and the Oppo Find N6.

Up next, according to Google's published list, are the following devices:

• Galaxy S25
• Galaxy S25+
• Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S24
• Galaxy S24+
• Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Galaxy Z TriFold
• Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Galaxy Z Flip 7
• Galaxy Z Fold 6
• Galaxy Z Flip 6
• Oppo Find X8
• Oppo Find X8 Pro
• OnePlus 15
• Honor Magic V6
• Honor Magic 8 Pro

Google's own language refers to the Galaxy S25 "series" and Galaxy S24 "series," as well as the Oppo Find X8 "series," which leaves the door open for additional models — such as a potential Galaxy S25 FE — to be added later. The Oppo Find X8 Ultra seems unlikely to make the cut, given that device was only sold in China.

The Pixel 8 gap raises questions

One notable omission from Google's list is the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8a is listed as compatible, but its siblings are not. All three phones share largely the same hardware under the hood, so the exclusion is puzzling at first glance. Unless there is some networking capability difference that favors the Pixel 8a — which analysts say is unlikely — the rest of the Pixel 8 series is almost certainly also in the pipeline.

It is possible Google simply has not released the necessary update yet. If the feature were ready to go, though, it stands to reason the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro would have appeared in the "coming soon" list alongside the 8a. The omission may be more of a timing issue than a hardware limitation.

Why not every Android phone can get AirDrop

Analyst Max Weinbach, who covers the mobile space for Creative Strategies and contributes to 9to5Google, explained on Twitter/X that supporting this feature requires what he calls a "chipset level networking tweak." Not every Android device has the necessary hardware, and lower- and mid-range phones are "especially" unlikely to qualify — even some older flagships with capable chips may still get support.

The tweak in question enables support for Apple Wireless Direct Link (ADWL), which is the underlying protocol Google uses to make AirDrop work over Quick Share. Non-Apple devices have been able to interoperate with AirDrop for some time through projects like the open-source OpenDrop, but Google's implementation integrates it directly into Android. The technical picture is more complex than simply bridging the two ecosystems, though. As Max pointed out in a conversation, Google's implementation must keep both AirDrop and Quick Share active simultaneously so that a user's device can see all eligible nearby devices at once.

There is currently no clear specification that tells consumers whether their particular Android handset will support the feature. Max notes that it comes down to a combination of the chipset and the wireless modem, but the exact requirements have not been publicly documented by Google.

What this means for users and OEMs

The expansion of AirDrop support through Quick Share removes one of the last major friction points between Android and iOS ecosystems. For years, users switching between platforms or working in mixed-device households have had to resort to workarounds like email, cloud links, or third-party apps to move files. Google's move effectively standardizes cross-platform sharing at the OS level.

For OEMs, the rollout is selective. Samsung's foldable and flagship lines are well represented, while Oppo, OnePlus, and Honor get coverage on their top-tier models. The exclusion of mid-range devices and some Pixel 8 models suggests that Google is prioritizing devices with the right combination of modem and chipset support, rather than rolling out a blanket update. As more chipset vendors adopt the necessary networking tweaks, the compatible list could grow in future quarters.

What to watch next

Google has not yet said when the "coming soon" devices will actually receive the update, nor has it published a formal hardware compatibility spec. Users who own a phone not on the confirmed list — including Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro owners — will want to keep an eye on firmware changelogs and Quick Share app updates. The lack of a clear criteria document makes it difficult to predict which devices could be added in a second wave, but the series-level language Google used suggests the company is thinking about broader device families rather than one-offs.

Tags: android, airdrop, quick share, galaxy s25, pixel 8a

FAQ: { "q": "Which Android phones already support AirDrop via Quick Share?", "a": "The Pixel 10 series, Galaxy S26, Pixel 8a, and Oppo Find N6 are already confirmed to support AirDrop sharing with iPhone and Mac through Google's Quick Share implementation." } { "q": "Why are the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro not on the list?", "a": "Google lists the Pixel 8a as compatible but omits the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Since all three share similar hardware, the exclusion is likely a timing issue rather than a hardware limitation — Google may not have released the necessary update yet for those models." } { "q": "What hardware is required for an Android phone to support AirDrop?", "a": "The feature requires a chipset-level networking tweak that enables Apple Wireless Direct Link (ADWL) support. Analyst Max Weinbach says it depends on a combination of the chipset and wireless modem, but Google has not published exact requirements. Lower- and mid-range devices are especially unlikely to qualify." }