How to Use Quick Share With AirDrop on Pixel (Send to iPhone)

Last updated: November 6, 2026. Steps checked against Google's Quick Share help page, Samsung's Quick Share with Apple devices page and Apple's AirDrop help page.

You can now send photos, videos and files between a Pixel and an iPhone without a cable or cloud upload. Quick Share on supported Pixel phones talks directly to Apple's AirDrop, so this guide shows how to share with iPhone using AirDrop from your Pixel, and how to receive in the other direction.

Short Answer

To send from a Pixel, ask the iPhone owner to set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes, then open the file and tap Share > Quick Share on your Pixel and pick their iPhone. To receive, set your Pixel to Settings > Quick Share > Who can share with you > Everyone for 10 minutes, then send from the iPhone with Share > AirDrop.

What You Need and Which Pixels Are Supported

• A supported Pixel with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and an iPhone, iPad or Mac within close range.
• Both devices set to be visible to everyone nearby. Cross-platform sharing with contacts only is not covered by Google's instructions.
• A person at each end to approve the transfer on the receiving device.

• Google's Quick Share help page lists Pixel 8a or later for sending, and Pixel 9 or later, except Pixel 9a, for receiving.
• If your Pixel is not listed, use the QR code method below.
• Samsung currently names the Galaxy S26 series and needs a separate setting in its own Quick Share (see Samsung Galaxy below). Other brands, such as Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, Honor and Motorola, have only certain models listed.
• Google does not publish a minimum iOS version. Samsung lists iPhone 8 or later, iPad (5th generation) or later and MacBook (2020 or later) for its version.

Method 1: Send From Your Pixel to an iPhone

1. On the iPhone, open Control Center, touch and hold the connectivity controls, tap AirDrop and choose Everyone for 10 Minutes.
2. On the Pixel, open the photo, video or file you want to send.
3. Tap Share, then tap Quick Share.
4. Wait for the iPhone to appear in the list of nearby devices and tap it.
5. On the iPhone, tap Accept on the AirDrop prompt.

If it worked, the Pixel shows the transfer as complete and the file appears on the iPhone in the app that matches its type, such as Photos for images.

Method 2: Receive From an iPhone on Your Pixel

1. On the Pixel, open Settings, search for Quick Share and open Who can share with you.
2. Choose Everyone for 10 minutes. You can also open Quick Settings and press and hold the Quick Share tile to reach the same option.
3. On the iPhone, select the photos or files, tap the Share icon and choose AirDrop.
4. Tap your Pixel in the list of nearby devices.
5. On the Pixel, tap Accept when the Quick Share prompt appears.

If it worked, the received file lands on your Pixel and you can open it from the notification or from the Quick Share receive screen.

Method 3: Use a QR Code When AirDrop Is Not Available

If your phone is not on the supported list, Quick Share can still share through a link. This method needs internet access on both devices.

1. On the Pixel, open the file, tap Share > Quick Share and choose Use QR code.
2. Ask the other person to scan the code with their camera app.
3. A web page opens in their browser and the download starts from there.

Per Google, files shared this way are end-to-end encrypted and stay available for 24 hours, with limits of 10 GB per 24 hours, 1,000 files per session and 20 receivers at a time.

Differences by Brand and OS

Google Pixel

Google describes the Pixel path as Settings > Quick Share > Who can share with you. Google's Quick Share help page lists three options: Your devices, Contacts and Everyone for 10 minutes. Menu wording can differ slightly between software versions.

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung's support page says Galaxy users must turn on Share with Apple devices under Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share. It currently lists the Galaxy S26 series, with a recent software build and Google Play services 26.11 or later, so check Samsung's page for your model.

iPhone, iPad and Mac

Apple devices use AirDrop. The visibility setting is Everyone for 10 Minutes, and it switches back afterward, so repeat the step before each new transfer session.

How to Turn It Off or Undo It

1. On the Pixel, open Settings > Quick Share > Who can share with you and switch from Everyone back to Your devices or Contacts. Everyone also reverts by itself after 10 minutes.
2. On the iPhone, open Control Center, touch and hold the connectivity controls, tap AirDrop and choose Contacts Only or Receiving Off.

There is no separate switch to remove Apple sharing from the Pixel. Staying off Everyone mode is what stops other nearby devices from seeing it.

Tips

• Keep both screens on and unlocked and keep the devices close together until the transfer finishes.
• Only accept transfers you expect, and switch back from Everyone mode when you are done.
• Send photos from Google Photos or Files to avoid hunting for the file after the transfer.
• Use the QR code method for people who do not have an iPhone or a supported Android phone nearby.
• Large video files can take longer, so keep both phones charged during the transfer.

Not Working?

The most common reason is that one side is not set to Everyone, or the 10 minutes ran out. Google also notes that your Wi-Fi may disconnect while you share and reconnects after you leave the Quick Share page. Check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on, both phones are close together, and your model is on the supported list above.

If your Pixel has other connection trouble, see Pixel 10 5G Not Working? Slow Speeds, Missing 5G+ & Call Fixes, which covers a different problem.

FAQ

Does Quick Share work with iPhone?

Yes, on supported Android phones. Quick Share connects to AirDrop on iPhone, iPad and Mac when the Apple device is set to Everyone for 10 Minutes.

Which Pixel phones can AirDrop with an iPhone?

Google lists Pixel 8a or later for sending to Apple devices, and Pixel 9 or later (except Pixel 9a) for receiving from them. Older Pixels are not listed.

Can I share with an iPhone if my sharing is set to Contacts only?

Google's instructions for Apple devices use the Everyone setting on both sides. Contacts-only sharing between Android and iPhone is not described there.