Google Pixel 9 Series Can Now Send Files to iPhones Like Magic

Google
Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 04:13
Quick Share and Air Drop
Google is expanding its cross-platform file-sharing functionality to more Android devices, allowing them to transfer files to iPhones via the AirDrop protocol. In the coming days, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold models will support AirDrop via Quick Share. This move builds on a plan Google first shared last year. At that time, the tool was only available on the newer Pixel 10 series. Now, more Pixel users will get it too.
Quick Share

Pixel and iPhone Can Finally Talk

Google Pixel 9 users can now easily send files to Apple devices using Quick Share’s collaboration with AirDrop. There is no need for the web. The phones link directly, device-to-device. From the user side, it feels just like a normal AirDrop feature. The iPhone shows the same alert to accept or deny the file. If it is a doc, it goes to the Files app. To get files from a Pixel phone, iPhone users must set AirDrop to “open to all” for 10 minutes. Once that is on, the Pixel device can see it and send the file.
proximity airdrop

What Pixel Users Need to Do

It works both ways. If a Pixel user wants to get a file from an iPhone or Mac, they must also turn on the “open to all” mode for 10 minutes. They can also go to the Quick Share page and switch to get the mode settings. After this, all filed will be saved in the Files app on the Pixel phone. The flow is simple and close to what Apple users are used to.

Safe and Direct Share

According to Google, the operation of Quick Share and AirDrop comes with security layers. There is a safe share link, plus built-in guard steps for both Android and iOS. Before any file moves, the user must say yes. The data goes through a direct link. It does not pass a server. When two phones link, each shows the name of the other device. This helps users check that they are sending to the right one.
For years, Android and iPhone users had to use apps or web tools to swap files. Now, with this new step, the gap feels much smaller.
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