Google is rolling out Quick Share support for AirDrop to more Pixel models. The update brings the feature to the Pixel 9 family, including the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company first added this cross-platform sharing to the Pixel 10 last year, and now it is expanding availability backward. This rollout will reach phones in phases over the coming weeks.
Pixel 9 Support
To send a file from an Android phone to an Apple device, open AirDrop on the receiving device and set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 minutes. On the Pixel 9, use Quick Share as you normally do. Look for the Apple device name in the Quick Share picker and wait for the other user to accept the transfer. The connection runs directly between devices, and it uses a peer-to-peer link so data does not travel through a server.
How to Use
Install the Quick Share Extension update on the Pixel 9 before trying to send files. Open Settings and search for System services. Scroll to Available Updates. Tap Quick Share Extension and choose Update. After the update, Quick Share will list nearby AirDrop-enabled devices when the other party has AirDrop set to Everyone for 10 minutes. Accept the prompt on the Apple device to complete the transfer.
Contacts‑Only Sharing, No Logging
Google built this feature to work without relays or third-party logging. The transfer is direct and encrypted on the device. The company says no extra data is shared, and transfers are not logged on its servers. Google also said it would be open to working with Apple to add support for Contacts Only sharing to make the flow more seamless for people who prefer limited visibility.
Cross‑Platform Transfers Made Easy
Set AirDrop to Everyone for a short window as required. Reset the AirDrop setting when sharing is complete. The Everyone mode is needed because Apple’s current AirDrop privacy setting limits discovery for devices that are not part of a mutual contacts list. Google is exploring ways to remove that step through collaboration with Apple, but there is no change on the Apple side yet. The rollout will be phased so some users will see the feature sooner than others.
This update makes one-click sharing simpler between Pixel phones and Apple devices for photos, documents, and files. It helps people who work across platforms, and it avoids email or cloud uploads for quick transfers. The feature keeps shared content private because it moves directly between devices.