Sharing files between a Samsung Galaxy and an iPhone had been a minor daily ordeal for years: Sending photos via WhatsApp will result in a loss of quality.They resorted to email, using cloud-based links, or transferring them from a computer as a last resort. Something as simple as transferring a video from one phone to another ended up being a hassle.
That barrier is truly beginning to break down. With the latest wave of updates, The Galaxy S26 series can now use Quick Share to send and receive files with AirDrop-compatible Apple devices.Photos, videos, and documents now travel directly between Galaxy and iPhone without cables or intermediary applications, and the rollout has begun to spread to Europe.
Which phones are compatible and how do I activate it?
The movement begins with the latest generation of Samsung: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 + and Galaxy S26 UltraThese models are already receiving a system update that activates compatibility between Quick Share and AirDrop, first in South Korea and, progressively, in other markets such as Europe and Latin America.
In some countries, the feature even appears visibly as a new option in the settings: “Share with Apple devices” within Quick ShareWhen activated, the phone will detect nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs as if they were another Galaxy device, provided they meet Apple's requirements.
This is not a minor update. In Korea, for example, the rollout is coming with the firmware version S94xNKSU1AZCF and a package exceeding 700 MB, still based on the February 2026 security patch. In other words, we're talking about a major change, not a silent background adjustment.
In addition to the firmware itself, Samsung requires a specific combination of software for everything to work: Google Play Services 26.11 or higher and Quick Share version 13.8.51.30 or laterThis can be updated from the Galaxy Store. If any of these components are missing, AirDrop compatibility will not be activated even if the system is up to date.
In Europe and Spain, the feature will arrive gradually, following the brand's usual schedule. The deployment officially began on March 23 in Korea And Samsung has hinted at an expansion during the following week to regions such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Taiwan, so it's just a matter of time before it appears on the S26 sold here as well.
How the connection between Quick Share and AirDrop works
The key to this change is that Quick Share and AirDrop are starting to “speak the same language”Until now, Samsung's tool only allowed file sharing between Galaxy devices and, generally, within the Android ecosystem. With the new interoperability, a Galaxy S26 can initiate a transfer as usual and see the nearby iPhone in the destination list.
In practice, the process for the user is simple: the photo, video, or document is selected, Quick Share is chosen, and if there is a nearby Apple device with AirDrop active and adequate visibility, appears as an available recipient for deliveryThe file is transmitted directly between both phones using short-range wireless technologies, without going through external servers.
There are, however, some important conditions on Apple's side. For an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to be visible to a Galaxy device, AirDrop visibility must be set to "Everyone" or "Everyone for 10 minutes" mode. on iOS. If it is limited to "Contacts only" or disabled, the Samsung device will not detect it.
On the Android side, the Galaxy S26 also needs to have the appropriate visibility option enabled in Quick Share when receiving files. This is the same principle used by Samsung phones and other Android devices. To prevent unwanted submissions, visibility is not always open by default..
For now, on the S26, the feature focuses on ensuring that the Galaxy can send files to and receive files from Apple devices within the context of this interoperability, following the lead of what already happens on the Google Pixel 10. The actual experience will also depend on how each user configures AirDrop and Quick Share privacy settings.
The role of Google and European regulation
Samsung didn't start from scratch. Google put the first big piece of the puzzle in place at the end of 2025, when it announced that The Pixel 10 could use Quick Share to send files to Apple devices via AirDropIt was presented as a limited experiment, but in reality it opened the door for other Android manufacturers and showed how AirDrop and Android finally understand each other.
At its debut, the feature was restricted to the Pixel 10 and only worked if the iPhone user enabled reception for everyone. Shortly after, Google extended compatibility to the Pixel 9 familydemonstrating that the technology was not a one-off thing, but a platform commitment.
In parallel, the company commissioned an independent security audit from the firm NetSPI to certify that Direct file sharing did not leak data or leave the door open to attacksThe results validated the system, which works point-to-point and does not go through cloud servers.
Behind all this there is also a regulatory factor. The new competition rules in the European Union, especially the Digital Markets Law (DMA)They have pressured Apple to make its services more interoperable. One consequence was the adoption of the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi Aware standard, replacing the proprietary AWDL protocol, which traditionally powered AirDrop.
This technical change makes it easier for other actors to communicate with iOS devices without requiring active collaboration from AppleFor now, the Cupertino company is keeping a low profile and has not made any public comments, neither when Google activated the feature on the Pixel nor now that Samsung is bringing it to the Galaxy S26.
What changes for Galaxy and iPhone users
In everyday life, novelty translates into something very practical: Less friction when transferring files between Android and iOSThose who use a Galaxy S26 as their main mobile phone, but live with family members or colleagues who have an iPhone, or with an iPad or a Mac at home, no longer have to always resort to compromise solutions.
Very common situations, such as sending photos from a trip to a friend who has an iPhone or transferring a large video to a MacBook, They stop depending on messaging apps, the cloud, or connecting their phone to a computer.Simply enable Quick Share, configure the appropriate visibility on both sides, and perform the transfer locally.
This move doesn't mean that Galaxy and iPhone will share a single ecosystem, not at all. What it does do is dismantle one of the barriers most often mentioned by those living in “mixed” Android-Apple environmentsUntil now, many users have been limited by these inconveniences when choosing a device.
The change is especially relevant in markets like Europe and, in particular, Spain, where it is very common for different people to live together in the same family environment. Android phones, iPhones, iPads, and laptops with Windows or macOSBeing able to move files between them directly greatly simplifies daily life, especially in remote work and study contexts.
How to activate and use compatibility on a Galaxy S26
For those who already own a Galaxy S26 in Spain or another European country, the process will be very similar when the update is available. Samsung outlines a simple path: Open the Quick Panel, go to “Connected Devices” and then to “Quick Share”There you'll find the new option to share with Apple devices.
From that moment on, when you want to send something, simply select the file, choose Quick Share and Wait for the iPhone, iPad, or Mac with AirDrop to appear in the list.The receiving device will display a notification to accept or reject the content, just as happens in transfers between Apple products.
In the case of Spain and other European countries, it should be noted that The rollout is not simultaneous for all devices or all regionsSamsung typically releases updates in waves, so it may take some time from the global announcement until the option actually appears in your phone's settings.
It is therefore advisable to periodically check for new versions available in Settings > Software update, and also check in Galaxy Store if Quick Share has been updated to the latest supported versionWithout these pieces up to date, the option to share with Apple devices will not be activated.
Beyond Samsung: The future of AirDrop on Android
The arrival of this feature on the Galaxy S26 doesn't appear to be an isolated case. Android and Google have openly discussed bringing this interoperability to other manufacturers. Brands like Oppo have already announced their intention to integrate AirDrop compatibility. in models like the Find X9 series, and it is possible that others will follow the same path.
Sameer Samat, Google executive responsible for the Android ecosystem, summed up the objective with a phrase that fits quite well with what we are seeing: “If we are capable of doing very complex things with AI, we should be able to share a photo between two people in a room without complicating our lives.”The interoperability between Quick Share and AirDrop is, to a large extent, the materialization of that idea.
For now, compatibility is geared towards allowing Android to send files to Apple devices and receive content in certain circumstances, but The possibility of full integration in both directions remains openA more symmetrical sharing model has already been explored in the Pixel 10, and it wouldn't be surprising if Samsung and other partners follow the same path.
In any case, everything indicates that In the coming months we will see more high-end Android phones capable of "talking" to AirDropRegulatory pressure, Google's interest in making Android more attractive in mixed environments, and user demand itself are all pushing in that direction.
With this update, the typical "I'll send it to you on WhatsApp when I get home" is becoming a thing of the past for those who use a Galaxy S26 and are part of the Apple ecosystem. The experience isn't perfect yet, but it represents a significant step towards a scenario where The choice between Galaxy or iPhone matters less when it comes to sharing something as simple as a photo.
