Google adds AirDrop support to the Pixel 10

Fergus Halliday - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 21 November 2025

Google is looking to make an incursion into Apple’s iOS ecosystem, with the latest set of Pixel phones gaining support for AirDrop this week via a software update.

Best of all, this additional functionality doesn’t come with any extra apps or settings you need to configure. If you’re using a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold and have installed the latest software update, all you need to do is use the Quick Share feature as you would with any other Android device. Whatever iOS device you’re looking to connect to will need to open its AirDrop settings and adjust its visibility to Everyone for 10 minutes - but that’s about it.

According to Google, the move builds on earlier efforts towards compatibility between Android and iOS devices, like RCS connectivity and unknown tracker alerts. It’s also said to rely on a secure-by-design approach that has been tested by independent security experts.

“We built Quick Share’s interoperability support for AirDrop with the same rigorous security standards that we apply to all Google products. Our approach to security is proactive and deeply integrated into every stage of the development process,” the company said in a blog post.

Although AirDrop compatibility is restricted to the Pixel 10 family for now, it sounds like Google is keen to bring the feature to devices made by third-party manufacturers like Samsung or OPPO sooner rather than later.

“This is just the first step as we work to improve the experience and expand it to more devices,” it said.

Of course, it’s not entirely clear at this point how or whether Apple might respond. In the past, the company has acted swiftly to crack down on companies and apps that attempt to bring or enable iOS-exclusive features to other platforms. Back in 2023, the company ended up playing a game of whack-a-mole with app developer Beeper after it launched an app that allowed Android users to use iMessage.

That being said, Google is a much bigger target for Apple to go after, and the way that the company has gone about bringing AirDrop to its Pixel phones is both more robust and sophisticated. Even so, we’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, you can find the cheapest plans for the Pixel 10 Pro XL in Australia below.

$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan

100GB data
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device
36 mths device payments
Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.

$94.52/mth

Min. cost $2,037.72

Go to Site

$94.52/mth

(plan + phone)

Min. cost $2,037.72

Go to Site

$58 Small Plan

65GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
36 mths device payments
Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.

$100.52/mth

Min. cost $2,043.72

Go to Site

$100.52/mth

(plan + phone)

Min. cost $2,043.72

Go to Site

$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
36 mths device payments
Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Essential Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26

$129.52/mth

Min. cost $2,072.72

Link not supplied

$129.52/mth

(plan + phone)

Min. cost $2,072.72

Link not supplied

Fergus Halliday

Digital Content Editor

Fergus Halliday is a journalist and digital content editor at WhistleOut Australia. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school before interning at magazines like CRN Australia and freelancing for publications like the AU Review, Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, ScreenRant, Superjump, Nestegg, and more.

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