Google has been steadily strengthening interoperability between Android and Apple’s ecosystem in recent years, and the long-awaited cross-platform file sharing feature for its Pixel series now appears to be expanding its support range. According to foreign media reports, some Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Tablet users have recently received system notifications indicating that their devices can now directly exchange files with Apple devices that support AirDrop via Google’s Quick Share feature. This also means that older Pixel devices not originally included in the official support list may have the opportunity to gain this convenient feature in the future.
Quick Share’s AirDrop compatibility is coming to older models like the Pixel 7.
In fact, this update is particularly noteworthy for Pixel 8 users. Google had previously given the Pixel 8a early support for an AirDrop-compatible file sharing experience, but the higher-tier Pixel 8 and the earlier Pixel 7 series had yet to receive the same treatment. Now that these features are appearing on those devices, it suggests Google may be gradually relaxing hardware restrictions and rolling out cross-platform sharing capabilities to more models.
If this feature is officially enabled, its usage will be essentially the same as on currently supported Android devices. Users simply need to turn on Quick Share, select the photos, videos, or files they want to share, and send them directly to nearby iPhones, iPads, or Macs. On the receiving end, as long as AirDrop is set to “Everyone (10 minutes),” the content can be received smoothly. In addition to sending from Android to Apple devices, Apple users can also transfer files to Android phones that support this feature in the same way, truly enabling two-way sharing.
Google first introduced Quick Share, which is compatible with AirDrop, when the Pixel 10 series launched, breaking the long-standing file transfer barrier between Android and iOS. The feature then gradually expanded to other brands, including Samsung, OPPO, vivo, Honor, and OnePlus devices, allowing more Android users to enjoy a more intuitive cross-platform sharing experience. Now, the Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Tablet are reported to have gained support, further signaling Google’s intent to keep expanding compatibility.
However, Google has not yet officially announced that the Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 series, and Pixel Tablet have been fully added to the support list. As a result, some users who received the notification may see the relevant prompt, but still cannot complete file transfers in practice. This situation suggests that Google is likely adopting a phased rollout strategy, or the feature will only truly take effect after subsequent system updates and server-side activation.
It is worth mentioning that even older Android devices that have not yet received this new feature can still exchange files with iPhones through Google’s Quick Share QR code mechanism. However, compared with the process of scanning a QR code, directly using AirDrop-style nearby sharing is clearly faster and more convenient, and it also provides an experience closer to that of a native system.
Based on current indications, Google is steadily advancing interoperability between the Android and Apple ecosystems. If AirDrop compatibility is officially extended to more older Pixel models in the future, it would not only increase the value for existing users but also help lower the barriers to file sharing across different platforms, making cross-device collaboration smoother and more natural. For users still on the Pixel 7, Pixel 8, or Pixel Tablet, this is undoubtedly an update worth looking forward to.
Source: KOCPC Chinese