"Android has its own AirDrop-like feature called Quick Share (formerly Google Nearby Share), but until recently, it couldn't communicate with Apple's AirDrop. As we reported in November, the European Union required Apple to implement the Wi-Fi Aware standard in AirDrop, which enabled Google to add support for the Pixel 10 lineup. Google confirmed it didn't need to work with Apple at all to make that happen."
"As part of the Quick Share updates, Google has added an extension to the Play Store that allows Quick Share to operate as a full, updatable APK rather than an element of Play Services. That should make it easier to roll out new features to the entire Android ecosystem. Currently, the extension only supports a smattering of Android phones, but we can expect that list to expand as AirDrop comes to more devices this year."
Quick Share, Android's AirDrop-like feature, now interoperates with Apple's AirDrop by using the Wi‑Fi Aware standard mandated for AirDrop. The EU requirement led to AirDrop adopting Wi‑Fi Aware, enabling Google to add Pixel 10 support without coordinating with Apple. Google released a Play Store extension so Quick Share can run as an updatable APK instead of part of Play Services, helping faster feature rollout across Android. The extension currently supports a few phones but should expand as more devices gain AirDrop compatibility. Android-to-iOS/macOS transfers require Apple users to enable the "Everyone for 10 minutes" option, and contact-based sharing remains unavailable.
Read at Ars Technica
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