Google’s Pixel 9 smartphones are on track to receive AirDrop support, allowing for seamless file sharing with Apple’s iPhone lineup. This exciting development follows Google’s announcement last November about bridging the gap between Android’s Quick Share feature and iOS AirDrop, enabling users to easily exchange files between the two platforms when their devices are nearby.
Back in November, Google revealed plans to enable file sharing between Android’s Quick Share and iOS AirDrop. Initially available on Pixel 10 phones, this feature is now making its way to older Pixel devices, including the Pixel 9. The latest Android Canary build contains files related to this cross-platform sharing system for Pixel 9 phones, indicating an imminent rollout of this functionality.
Android Authority discovered evidence of the cross-platform sharing feature in the latest Android Canary build, specifically tailored for Google Pixel 9 devices. While the Pixel 9a is not included in this update, it suggests that Google is gradually introducing this convenient capability to its smartphone lineup.
Previous iterations of the Android Canary build did not contain files related to the cross-platform sharing feature, and there are still no indications of its availability for the Pixel 8 series and older models. Google seems to be taking a step-by-step approach to implementing this feature across its range of devices.
Pixel AirDrop availability
As of now, it remains unclear whether the AirDrop support feature is functional on Pixel 9 devices, and there is no definitive timeline for its activation in the public Android release. The upcoming Android 16 QPR3 update, expected in March, could potentially include this feature. Alternatively, users may have to wait for Android 17, slated for a mid-2026 release.
While the collaboration between Google and Apple may seem cooperative, statements made in November suggest that Google is the driving force behind this interoperability. It is speculated that Apple’s compliance with EU regulations has compelled the tech giant to open up its proprietary file sharing system for cross-platform functionality.
