Direct Transfers from Pixel 10 to iPhone via AirDrop
Google is announcing a huge update to multi-platform compatibility - that is, interoperability between the Quick Share feature of an Android device and Apple's AirDrop. It launches with Google Pixel 10, marking the first time this feature will allow Android smartphones to transfer files directly to an iPhone.
Sharing moments shouldn’t depend on the phone you have. Starting today with the Pixel 10 family, Quick Share now works with AirDrop, making secure file transfers between Android phones and iPhones more seamless. This builds on our commitment to cross-OS compatibility to bridge… pic.twitter.com/iNdZfjCYQ7
— Android (@Android) November 20, 2025
About How Cross-Plaform Transfer Works
It is this standardized protocol that connects both rival ecosystems. To perform a successful transfer between Pixel 10 to iPhone, here are some settings that the two need to enable
- Sending to iPhone AirDrop visibility for "Everyone for 10 Minutes." On an Apple device, for a file to be received from Pixel 10.
- Receiving on Pixel 10 For the Pixel 10 user to receive a file started using AirDrop, they should activate their Quick Share status to "Receiving" mode.
Developments and safety measures
Though AirDrop is patented by Apple, it is based on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct, which are open standards. Currently, there is no confirmation on whether integrated efforts were made for the compatibility interface, or whether Google's engineers reverse-engineered it. The two companies were also involved in some standard industry cooperation like RCS messaging and unknown tracker alerts.
Google has now made the safety of this new communication channel, wherein it actually manifests how user data would remain safe while being transferred. For this reason, the company has instituted a number of security protocols
- Memory Safety The feature is based in Rust, a programming language known for memory safety and which uses very stringent ownership rules at compilation.
- rigorous Testing The thorough testing involved internal threat modeling, privacy reviews, and penetration tests "red team."
- Third-Party Validation Google engaged with security firm NetSPI to further validate the integrity of the file transfer feature.
