Samsung Galaxy S26 Breaks the Walled Garden: How to Use AirDrop Compatibility via Quick Share
For years, sharing a batch of photos or a high-resolution video between a Samsung Galaxy device and an iPhone has been a point of friction. While both ecosystems have their own seamless internal sharing tools, the gap between them remained a persistent bottleneck. That is finally changing. Samsung has introduced compatibility with Apple’s AirDrop through its Quick Share feature, starting with the Galaxy S26 series.
This update marks a significant step toward cross-platform interoperability, allowing users to send media wirelessly to iPhones, iPads, and Macs without relying on third-party cloud links or messaging apps that compress image quality.
How to Send Files from a Galaxy S26 to an iPhone
Setting up the connection is straightforward, but it requires a specific toggle to be enabled on the Samsung device and a visibility setting adjusted on the Apple device. Follow these steps to get started:
1. Enable AirDrop Compatibility on Your Galaxy Device
- Open Settings on your Galaxy S26.
- Tap on Connected Devices.
- Select Quick Share.
- Locate the toggle labeled Share with Apple devices and switch it on. Once enabled, you won’t need to repeat this step unless you manually turn it off.
2. Prepare the Receiving Apple Device
- On the iPhone, iPad, or Mac, ensure that AirDrop is set to Everyone for 10 Minutes to allow the Galaxy device to discover it.
3. Share Your Content
- Find the photo, video, or file you want to send on your Galaxy device and tap the Share button.
- Select Quick Share from the sharing options.
- Tap the specific Apple device you want to send the file to.
Supported Devices and Requirements
While the feature is launching first on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung is expanding support to other devices. According to early testing and reports, the ability to share with Apple devices is closely tied to One UI 8.5 and the Android 16 operating system.
Confirmed and Likely Supported Devices
| Series | Compatible Models |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S Series | Galaxy S26 series (Confirmed), S25, S24, S23, and S22 series |
| Galaxy Z Series | Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Confirmed); other Z models running Android 16 (Likely) |
| Galaxy A Series | Galaxy A56, A36, and A55 (Working) |
some budget-friendly models, such as the Galaxy A16, A17, A26, and A54, have not yet shown compatibility. The status of the Galaxy A35 remains unclear.
Key Takeaways for Users
- Cross-Platform Freedom: You can now send files from supported Galaxy phones to iPhones, iPads, and Macs via Quick Share.
- Software Dependency: The “Share with Apple devices” toggle is primarily available on devices running One UI 8.5 and Android 16.
- Configuration: The receiving Apple device must have AirDrop set to “Everyone for 10 Minutes” to be visible to the Samsung device.
- Expanding Ecosystem: While S26 users have it first, the feature is rolling out to older S-series and specific A-series models.
The Future of File Sharing
The integration of AirDrop compatibility into Quick Share is a rare move toward openness between the two biggest players in the smartphone market. This trend isn’t limited to Samsung; Google previously brought similar AirDrop support to Pixel 10 phones in November and expanded it to Pixel 9 devices in February. As more Android manufacturers adopt these standards, the “walled garden” approach to file sharing is rapidly disappearing, making the digital experience more user-centric and less hardware-dependent.