How to get Quick Share's new iPhone AirDrop support on your Pixel 10 now

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Wow, this one was really unexpected lol. This is pretty big ! Do you think that it will come later to older Pixels, and other Android smartphones ?

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Today, we’re introducing a way for Quick Share to work with AirDrop. This makes file transfer easier between iPhones and Android devices, and starts rolling out today to the Pixel 10 family.

We built this with security at its core, protecting your data with strong safeguards that were tested by independent security experts. It’s just one more way we’re bringing better compatibility that people are asking for between operating systems, following our work on RCS and unknown tracker alerts.

I’m not sure if this feature will be available in GrapheneOS in the future.

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You can already use Magic Wormhole apps.

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It’s not a native solution though.

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I guess yes but they seem to just have reverse-engineered Apple AirDrop protocol and use it. They might do it slowly to build pressure on Apple to officially get in.

Huge W for interoperability

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From my article in January

One of the most innocuous features enabled on millions of iPhones is also one of the most dangerous for those seeking to protect their privacy in public. Apple’s AirDrop protocol uses trivially bypassed security measures that authorities like the Chinese government have openly bragged about cracking to identify users since at least 2022.

You should assume that any device with AirDrop enabled is constantly broadcasting your name, email address, and phone number to everyone around you, even if you have it set to “Contacts Only.” Apple has known about this flaw since 2019 and has not issued any fix.

Does a reverse-engineered version inherit these flaws? :laughing:

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I get that Apple needs to make their ecosystem more enticing for their business model, but man it’s funny how bratty they come across when they refuse to communicate with android devices in any way possible.

It’s nice to have this file share system open up across the pond, but I’m always a fan of using bipartisan, trusted apps for comms or filesharing (localsend, signal ,.etc), but I find Apple users don’t want to use anything but Airdrop.

Anyway, big news.

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Does anyone know if it will go into AOSP or into Play Services?

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Play Services. Source: This new app makes Android Quick Share compatible with AirDrop