Android’s AirDrop Rival: How It Works
▼ Summary
– Google announced in late 2025 that it made AirDrop compatible with Android, starting with the Pixel 10, without Apple’s involvement.
– This move is considered bold because Apple protects its ecosystem to encourage users to buy multiple Apple products.
– Google framed the feature as breaking down walls, with its security blog stating technology should bring people together.
– The announcement was met with user excitement, as it solves the common problem of sharing files across different operating systems.
– Google achieved this by leveraging new European antitrust regulations to bypass Apple’s device restrictions on AirDrop.
In late 2025, Google unveiled a significant development for cross-platform file sharing, announcing that its Android operating system now supports Apple’s AirDrop protocol. This move allows users of iPhones and Mac computers to share files wirelessly with compatible Android phones, starting with the Pixel 10 series. Notably, Apple did not participate in creating this functionality, and Google has indicated plans to extend the feature to a broader range of Android devices in the future.
The announcement generated a complex mix of reactions. Initial surprise stemmed from Apple’s well-known strategy of maintaining a tightly controlled ecosystem. The company’s “walled garden” approach encourages customers to purchase multiple Apple products, like a MacBook, to fully utilize features such as AirDrop. Google’s decision to integrate this technology into Android was therefore seen as a remarkably bold competitive step. The tone was underscored by Google’s own security blog, which opened with a pointed statement: “Technology should bring people closer together, not create walls.”
Beyond the corporate rivalry, user excitement was palpable. For years, both iOS and Android users have experienced the frustration of trying to share files with friends on the opposing platform. The prospect of seamless, wireless sharing between any major smartphone represents a clear win for everyday consumers.
Naturally, questions quickly arose about the technical and security implications. How did Google’s engineers manage to implement AirDrop without Apple’s cooperation? Could users trust that the Android version was secure? Were there any functional limitations compared to the experience between Apple devices?
The key to this breakthrough lies in new European Union antitrust regulations. These rules effectively compelled Apple to open up its proprietary wireless protocols. Google was able to leverage these regulatory changes to bypass the device restrictions that previously locked non-Apple hardware out of Apple’s modified Wi-Fi framework used for AirDrop. This regulatory environment provided the necessary access for Android to establish a compatible connection, ensuring the feature works as intended without requiring any reverse engineering of secret protocols by Google.
(Source: SLASHGEAR)
