Galaxy A56 and A57 owners can now send files to iPhones, and here’s how to turn it on

Samsung’s mid-range phones just learned a trick that used to belong to flagships. After the One UI 9 update, the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A57 can share files directly with iPhones, iPads and Macs. Android Police broke the news on October 21, and owners on Reddit and Samsung’s community forums have since confirmed it.

Quick Share now has a toggle called “Share with Apple devices.” It works with AirDrop, so you don’t need a third-party app. Samsung’s official One UI 9 changelog doesn’t mention the feature, which is a little odd. The option is already live for people who installed the update.

The update is still rolling out by region, so you may not see it yet. Reports say it has reached users in the Philippines, among others. If your phone is still on One UI 8.5, the toggle simply won’t be there.

Start by updating Quick Share and its related components in the Galaxy Store. Then go to Settings, Connected devices, Quick Share and turn on “Share with Apple devices.” On the iPhone, set AirDrop to receive from everyone. Set Quick Share on the Galaxy to share with everyone as well. On the iPhone, that “Everyone” setting only lasts 10 minutes, so switch both phones back to contacts only when you’re done.

AirDrop sharing first arrived on the Galaxy S26 series in March. Samsung later confirmed it for the Galaxy S25 and S24 series, and reports add the Z Fold 6 and 7, Z Flip 6 and 7, S25 FE and S24 FE. The A56 and A57 are the first mid-range phones in that group.

Older A-series phones are less clear. Reports on the Galaxy A55 and A54 are mixed, and a Reddit thread suggests the A55’s One UI 9 beta didn’t include the feature. Samsung hasn’t published an official list, so treat A56 and A57 support as working but unofficial for now.

Most families and friend groups mix Android and iPhone. Until now, sending a quick photo between them meant a messaging app that squashes quality, or a cloud link. A built-in option is simply nicer.

I think this is the kind of feature people actually use, far more than most AI tricks. It also puts quiet pressure on other Android brands. Honor, OPPO and Xiaomi have offered iPhone sharing that needs a separate app, and Samsung’s version works out of the box.

It’s also a smart move for a company that sells its A-series phones in huge numbers worldwide. Mid-range buyers rarely get new tricks this early. If Samsung keeps pushing this down to the A3x and A2x models, that will be a real selling point.