Android phones get AirDrop soon, but yours might miss out
▼ Summary
– Google announced AirDrop support via Quick Share will expand to more Android phones, including Galaxy S25, S24, Z Fold/Flip series, Oppo Find X8, OnePlus 15, and Honor devices.
– The Pixel 8a and Oppo Find N6 already have support, while the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are notably absent, likely awaiting an update.
– Support requires a chipset-level networking tweak for Apple Wireless Direct Link (ADWL), enabling simultaneous AirDrop and Quick Share visibility.
– Lower and mid-range devices are unlikely to get support due to hardware limitations, even some older flagship chips may not qualify.
– Exact hardware requirements (chipset and modem combination) are not clearly defined, making it uncertain which devices will be compatible.
Google has officially revealed which Android phones will soon gain AirDrop compatibility through its Quick Share feature, but not every device will make the cut. The announcement confirms a growing list of supported models, though many users may be left waiting.
The barrier between Android and iPhone file sharing has already dropped for several devices, including the Pixel 10 series, Galaxy S26, and others. Google also confirmed this week that a couple of previously unannounced devices are already compatible: the Pixel 8a and the Oppo Find N6.
The next wave of supported devices includes:
- Galaxy S25Google’s wording references the Galaxy S25, S24, and Oppo Find X8 “series,” which suggests additional variants like the Galaxy S25 FE could also be supported. The Oppo Find X8 Ultra, however, appears unlikely since it was sold only in China.One puzzling omission is the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google lists the Pixel 8a as compatible but leaves out its higher-end siblings. While it’s possible Google simply hasn’t released the necessary update for them yet, if support were feasible, the Pixel 8 series would likely appear on the “coming soon” list. All three models share similar hardware, so unless the Pixel 8a has some networking advantage , which is improbable , the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are probably still in development.So, what about other Android devices? It remains unclear why Google hasn’t simply enabled AirDrop support for all phones, especially given user demand. The limitation likely comes down to hardware requirements. According to Max Weinbach, an analyst at Creative Strategies, supporting this feature requires a chipset-level networking tweak, and not every device has it. Lower-end and mid-range phones are “especially” unlikely to get support, though some older flagship chips may still qualify.This tweak enables Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL), the protocol that powers AirDrop. While third-party solutions like OpenDrop have allowed non-Apple devices to interact with AirDrop for some time, Google’s approach integrates it directly into Android. As Weinbach explained, the implementation must simultaneously support both AirDrop and Quick Share, so your device can see all eligible targets at once.There is no straightforward specification to check whether your Android phone will support AirDrop over Quick Share. Weinbach notes that it depends on a combination of the chipset and wireless modem, but the exact requirements remain unclear for now.
