Google adds secure file sharing between Pixel and iPhone devices

Google has introduced secure cross-platform file sharing between its Pixel 10 devices and Apple’s iPhones by making Android’s Quick Share interoperable with Apple’s AirDrop.

The feature, which debuted on November 20, 2025, promises fast, direct file transfers between Android and iOS devices while maintaining strong privacy and security protections.

The new system allows Android and iOS users to share files wirelessly without routing data through servers or requiring additional apps, starting with support for AirDrop’s “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode. This initial phase is exclusive to the Pixel 10 family, with potential expansion to other Android models in the future.

The implementation was developed under Google’s “Secure by Design” principles, which include extensive internal threat modeling, privacy reviews, and penetration testing. To validate its robustness, Google also commissioned NetSPI, a respected independent security firm, to conduct a third-party audit. NetSPI’s analysis found the Quick Share–AirDrop interoperability “notably stronger” than similar implementations in the industry, with no observed data leakage.

The interoperability layer itself was written in Rust, a memory-safe programming language increasingly adopted for secure systems development. Rust’s inclusion is central to the feature’s security profile, addressing common vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows by design.

Dan Boneh, a cryptography and security expert at Stanford University, praised Google’s approach, citing the secure use of Rust and calling the implementation a model for future cross-platform features. Boneh also encouraged further collaboration between Google and Apple to expand support, particularly toward enabling AirDrop’s more restrictive “Contacts Only” sharing mode.

Quick Share is Google’s proprietary peer-to-peer file sharing system, similar in functionality to AirDrop but traditionally limited to Android devices. This newly announced interoperability represents a meaningful shift toward open standards in device communication. However, current functionality is limited to the “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode, which allows sharing between non-contacts for a short time window. Users must confirm the target device name in person before accepting or sending files, an intentional safeguard against misdirected transfers or spoofing attempts.

While this announcement marks a significant step toward breaking platform silos, Google clarified that the current implementation is only the beginning. The company expressed interest in working with Apple to enable more advanced features, such as contact-restricted sharing and broader device support.