What until recently was considered science fiction in the mobile world is becoming a reality on the ground: Samsung has begun the official rollout of an update to its Quick Share service, which for the first time includes built-in support for Apple’s AirDrop protocol. The dramatic move allows users of the Galaxy S26 series to send and receive photos, videos and large files directly from iPhone users, in a fast and direct wireless process that does not rely on cloud services or social networks.
The new service operates on Samsung’s existing infrastructure, but with a technological “bridge” that enables mutual recognition between the different systems. In the first stage, the feature is available exclusively on the company’s new flagship devices, the Galaxy S26, and is expected to expand to additional models later. The update solves one of the most frustrating problems for users in a mixed Android and iOS environment, and eliminates the need to compromise on file quality when sending through alternative methods.
To use the new capability, you must ensure that the Quick Share service is updated to its latest version. In the sharing interface, nearby Apple devices that are in discovery mode will now also appear, similar to the way sharing works between two iPhone devices. The move marks a significant shift in approach by Samsung and Google, which are choosing to adopt open (or compatible) standards over a “walled garden,” in order to improve the end-user experience.