Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Gains AirDrop Interoperability

Samsung is rolling out a significant update to its Quick Share feature with the Galaxy S26 series, adding interoperability with Apple’s AirDrop. This allows for seamless wireless file sharing between Samsung Galaxy phones and iPhones or Macs.

Seamless File Sharing Across Ecosystems

The update, beginning its rollout on March 23rd in Korea and expanding to the US later that week, aims to bridge the gap between Android and Apple ecosystems. Users will be able to directly share photos and files with Apple devices in close proximity. To enable the feature, users navigate to Settings, then Connected Devices, and select Quick Share before toggling on “Share with Apple Devices.”

Expanding on Android’s AirDrop Compatibility

This move follows Google’s initial introduction of AirDrop-compatible sharing through its Quick Share feature on Pixel 10 phones in November 2025. Google plans to expand this integration to more Android devices throughout 2026, with Nothing and Qualcomm also expressing interest in adding AirDrop interoperability to their devices. According to Eric Kay, Google’s VP of Android engineering, the goal is to simplify the process for iPhone users considering a switch to Android, ensuring a smooth transfer of their existing files.

Initial Availability and Future Expansion

Currently, AirDrop support is exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series (Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra). However, Samsung intends to extend this functionality to a wider range of Galaxy devices in the future. This expansion could eventually include more affordable models like the Galaxy A17.

How it Works

Once enabled, Quick Share on a Galaxy phone will detect nearby Apple devices. Users can then select the desired Apple device from the Quick Share menu to send photos, videos, or documents. IPhone users will need to have their AirDrop settings set to “Everyone” to receive files from a Galaxy S26.

Samsung emphasizes that this update is part of its broader commitment to improving compatibility across different operating systems, recognizing the prevalence of both Samsung and Apple devices in the global market.

Source: PCMag, CNET, TechTimes, GSMarena