How to Quick Share on Android (AirDrop to iPhone)
To use Quick Share on Android, open a file, tap Share, choose Quick Share, then pick a nearby device — or open the Quick Share tile from Quick Settings to send or receive. On Pixel 8a and later (and listed Galaxy and other phones), Quick Share can also send to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac through AirDrop when the Apple device is set to Everyone for 10 minutes. On phones without AirDrop support, use the QR-code path instead.
Also in this topic: Android Guides hub.
In a hurry? Jump to: what Quick Share is · send Android to Android · share to iPhone (AirDrop) · QR path · receive · compatible phones · fixes · FAQ
How we put this together: Steps and limits below were checked against Google’s Use Quick Share on your Android device help page, the android.com Quick Share with iPhone device list, and Google’s Security Blog post on Quick Share ↔ AirDrop (Nov 20, 2025). Rechecked Oct 16, 2026. We did not invent hands-on tests of every OEM build.
What Is Quick Share on Android?
Quick Share is Android’s built-in way to send photos, videos, and files to nearby devices over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without uploading them to your Drive first. Google’s help page notes it was previously called Nearby Share; older menus that still say Nearby Share still work. It runs on Android 6 and up, on Chromebooks, and on select Windows PCs through Google’s Quick Share for Windows app.
US households often need the cross-platform path: one person on a Pixel or Galaxy, another on an iPhone. That is where older “Quick Share cannot talk to Apple” guides go stale. Google now documents two routes to Apple devices — native AirDrop interoperability on supported phones, and a QR / encrypted cloud fallback on phones that lack that hardware support.
How to Send Files From Android to Another Android Device
Put both phones close (Google’s troubleshooting asks for about 1 foot / 30 cm if discovery fails), turn Bluetooth on, and unlock the receiving screen.
- Open the photo, video, document, or other file you want to send.
- Tap Share, then Quick Share.
- Or swipe down for Quick Settings, tap the Quick Share tile (add it via Edit if it is missing), and pick content from there.
- Tap the nearby device in the list. Ask the other person to Accept.
- You can leave the Quick Share screen; a notification tracks progress and lets you cancel.
Tips from Google’s help page:
- Same Google Account on both of your own devices can auto-accept.
- On select Android 13+ devices you can share clipboard text: after you copy, tap Devices in the pop-up and pick a target.
- If the other phone never appears, put it in Receive mode on its Quick Share page.
- Received files land in the Files app under Downloads → Quick Share.
Quick Share needs a working Bluetooth radio. If pairing or nearby discovery keeps failing, clear the radio faults first with our Bluetooth not connecting on Android checklist before you blame Quick Share.
Who Can Share With You (Visibility Settings)
Open Settings, search for Quick Share, then tap Who can share with you. Google lists three options:
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Your devices | Your other devices signed into the same Google Account can still find you even if the screen is off. |
| Contacts | Nearby contacts can see you while the screen is on and unlocked. |
| Everyone for 10 minutes | Anyone nearby can see you for ten minutes, then visibility snaps back to the previous choice. |
Use “Everyone for 10 minutes” only when you are standing next to the person. Confirm the device name on both screens so you do not accept a stranger’s transfer.
How to Share From Android to iPhone With AirDrop
On phones Google lists as supporting Quick Share for AirDrop, the transfer is peer-to-peer — Google’s Security Blog says content is not routed through a server and is not logged. The Apple side must use AirDrop’s Everyone for 10 minutes mode (Contacts Only is not supported yet).
- Ask the iPhone, iPad, or Mac user to open AirDrop settings (Control Center → long-press the AirDrop control on iPhone) and choose Everyone for 10 minutes.
- On Android, open the file → Share → Quick Share.
- Select the Apple device in the nearby list.
- Wait for the AirDrop notification on the Apple device, then Accept.
Samsung note: android.com says Galaxy users must keep Share with Apple devices turned on in Quick Share settings. Samsung’s US Quick Share page adds that as of March 2026 the S26 / S26+ / S26 Ultra ships with that toggle on by default, with more flagships expected later.
Receiving from Apple on Pixel: Google’s help page says to receive from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac on a Pixel 9 or later (excluding Pixel 9a), set visibility to Everyone for 10 minutes or stay on the Quick Share Receive screen.
QR Code Path When AirDrop Support Is Missing
If your phone is not on the AirDrop-capable list, Google still lets you send to Apple devices with a QR code. This path uploads end-to-end encrypted files to Google servers (not your personal Drive). Both devices need internet. Limits Google documents:
- Up to 10 GB to Apple devices every 24 hours
- Up to 1,000 files in one share session
- Up to 20 Apple receivers at a time
- Download link stays available for 24 hours
- Open Quick Share from the Share sheet, Quick Settings, or Settings.
- Tap Use QR code.
- On the iPhone, scan with Camera (or open the link that appears).
- The Quick Share web page starts the transfer. Save images to Photos or documents to Files when prompted. Videos may download as a file or zip.
Android-to-Android QR works the same way when the other phone will not appear in the nearby list — no need to add contacts or change visibility first.
How to Receive Files on Android
Open the Quick Share page and switch to Receive mode. While that screen is open, your phone is visible to nearby senders. Accept or Decline when the pop-up appears. Leave Receive mode when you are done so you are not discoverable to everyone nearby.
Also turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. On Android 12 or earlier, Google’s troubleshooting still asks you to turn Location on if discovery fails.
Which Phones Support Quick Share ↔ AirDrop?
Google’s help page and android.com list (checked Oct 16, 2026) include:
| Brand | Models with AirDrop interop (per Google) |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Pixel 8a; Pixel 9 / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL / 9 Pro Fold / 9a; Pixel 10 / 10 Pro / 10 Pro XL / 10 Pro Fold / 10a |
| Samsung Galaxy | S26 / S26+ / S26 Ultra; S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra / S25 Edge; S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra; Z Flip7, Z Fold7, Z Flip6, Z Fold6 (and Special Edition), Z TriFold |
| Others listed | OnePlus 15; OPPO Find X9 / X9 Pro / X9 Ultra / X9s / Find N6; HONOR Magic V6; vivo X300 Ultra; Xiaomi 17T Pro; plus models Google marks as coming (e.g. Motorola razr fold 2026, OPPO Find X8 series, HONOR Magic8 Pro, vivo X300 / X300 Pro) |
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are not on Google’s AirDrop support list — use the QR path there. Pixel 9a is on the send list but is called out as excluded from the Pixel 9+ receive-from-Apple tip above. Treat OEM software rolls as living documents; if a phone is missing from Settings → Quick Share → Share with Apple devices, fall back to QR.
Quick Share Not Finding Devices: Fixes
Work down Google’s own troubleshooting list before you reset the phone:
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Device never appears | Turn Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi) on both phones. Bring them within about 1 foot (30 cm). Put the receiver in Receive mode. Unlock the receiving screen. |
| Still missing after that | Toggle Airplane mode on, then off. Restart both devices. Wait until no other transfer is occupying the target phone. |
| Android 12 or older | Turn Location on, then retry. |
| Apple device missing | Confirm AirDrop is Everyone for 10 minutes. Confirm your phone is on the AirDrop-capable list (or use QR). On Galaxy, enable Share with Apple devices. |
| Wi-Fi drops during AirDrop share | Google notes Wi-Fi may disconnect while on the Quick Share page and reconnects when you leave it. |
| Bluetooth radio flaky | Run the Bluetooth not connecting steps, then retry Quick Share. |
Sharing a long video or game clip? Record it first with the built-in recorder (how to screen record on Android), then send the file. Large sessions fill Downloads quickly — clear space with how to free up storage on Android if Android warns you mid-transfer. Casting the phone to a TV is a different stack; use how to cast Android to a TV when you want a living-room display instead of a file copy.
Private Space users: Google’s Private Space help says you cannot receive content in Private Space directly from Quick Share. Unlock Private Space and share from the main profile, or move files in after they land in Downloads.
Is Quick Share to AirDrop Safe?
Google’s Nov 20, 2025 Security Blog describes the AirDrop interop as peer-to-peer in Everyone-for-10-minutes mode, built with a memory-safe Rust communications layer, and independently assessed by NetSPI. Google quotes that assessment as finding the implementation secure and “notably stronger” than other industry approaches, without information leaks. You still approve every receive. Confirm the device name in person when you are not sharing with a saved contact.
For everyday privacy: prefer Your devices or Contacts visibility, switch to Everyone for 10 minutes only for the handoff, and leave Receive mode when you are done.
For US mixed Android and iPhone living rooms, start with Share → Quick Share on a supported Pixel or Galaxy, set the Apple side to Everyone for 10 minutes, and fall back to the QR path with its 10 GB / 24-hour limits when your phone is not on Google’s AirDrop list. Same-room Bluetooth first, then Accept on the other screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick Share on Android?
Quick Share is Android’s built-in nearby file-sharing feature (formerly Nearby Share). You send photos, videos, and files to nearby Android phones, Chromebooks, and select Windows PCs over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and on supported phones you can also share with iPhone, iPad, and Mac via AirDrop or a QR code.
Can Quick Share send files to an iPhone?
Yes on phones Google lists for Quick Share AirDrop support — including Pixel 8a and later, many Galaxy S24–S26 and Z Fold/Flip models, and other OEMs on android.com. The iPhone must set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 minutes. Phones without that support can still use Quick Share’s QR code path.
Do both phones need the same Wi-Fi for Quick Share?
Not the same way Chromecast casting does. Quick Share uses Bluetooth to discover devices and then a direct wireless link. Both devices should have Bluetooth on; Google also tells you to turn Wi-Fi on. For the QR-to-Apple path, both devices need internet access.
Where do Quick Share files go on Android?
Google’s help page says received content is available in the default Files app under Downloads → Quick Share.
Why can’t my phone find the other device in Quick Share?
Usually Bluetooth is off, the phones are too far apart, the receiver is not in Receive mode, or the screen is locked. Bring them within about 1 foot, unlock the receiving phone, toggle Airplane mode, and on Android 12 or older turn Location on. For Apple targets, confirm Everyone for 10 minutes and AirDrop hardware support (or use QR).
Is Nearby Share the same as Quick Share?
Yes. Google renamed Nearby Share to Quick Share. Menus that still say Nearby Share use the same feature.
