It’s been a good few months for Android-to-iPhone sharing: Late last year, Google figured out how to get AirDrop working with the Pixel 10, and since then, the functionality has spread to many other Android handsets. Many more models will be picking up the same capability in the coming months. Apple hasn’t invested quite so much time in iPhone-to-Android sharing, but we can’t have everything. At least there’s now support for end-to-end encryption over RCS, rolled out with the iOS 26.5 update.
There’s more good news for those who want to share from Android to iOS, and who aren’t getting the AirDrop feature (or don’t have it yet): Google is pushing out an improved sharing method that works using QR codes. In just a couple of taps, you can send over files, links, contacts, and more. The update was announced as part of The Android Show: I/O Edition that Google put on last week, and it seems to be rolling out to all Android handsets now. If you don’t see it yet, it should show up soon.
How to share from Android to iPhone with a QR code
This updated functionality is appearing as part of the Quick Share option on Android. Whenever you tap the share button anywhere in Android or your installed apps, you’ll get a share sheet populated with contacts and apps, and Quick Share should be there: Tap this to find the new feature. The idea behind Quick Share is that you can get something transferred quickly, without relying on third-party apps. If your Android phone has been updated to support AirDrop, and there’s an iPhone ready to receive via AirDrop nearby, you’ll see this Apple device as an option for sharing.
Quick Share is getting another upgrade.
Credit: Google
If not, you can use the option Google is pushing out now. If your phone has the update, you’ll see a message that you can “Share with iPhone and other devices” via a QR code. You’ll then see a Use QR code option on the right, which quickly shrinks down to just a QR code thumbnail: Tap this to share via QR code.
As with the more direct AirDrop method, the iPhone needs to be in receiving mode. From iOS Settings, tap General > AirDrop > Everyone for 10 Minutes. With that done, the QR code on the Android device can be scanned with the iPhone Camera app, which will lead to a custom URL on the quickshare.google portal.
What do you think so far?
Google says files you’re transferring will remain in the cloud for 24 hours, with a limit of 10GB of data within that timeframe. You can share up to 1,000 files in a single session, to a maximum of 20 iPhone, iPad, or macOS devices. Any files that you share in this way are protected by end-to-end encryption, and don’t count towards your Google Drive quota.
Use the QR code option if you don’t have AirDrop yet.
Credit: Google
Sharing via AirDrop, where available, is the preferable option—but this isn’t bad for older handsets that won’t be getting AirDrop support. You can also just use an app like WhatsApp to send data between Android and iOS devices, but bear in mind that a lot of these apps compress your files along the way.
For Android-to-Android devices, a direct Quick Share connection should be available on most modern handsets, assuming the receiving device is discoverable (you can set this via the Quick Share icon in Quick Settings). If it doesn’t show up immediately (maybe it’s running an older version of Android), the QR code option is available as a fallback, which should establish a direct connection over wifi and Bluetooth.
