Samsung Galaxy S26: How to Use Quick Share with AirDrop on Apple Devices
Samsung’s latest update for the Galaxy S26 series is streamlining file sharing between its devices and Apple’s ecosystem. The new feature brings AirDrop compatibility to Quick Share, allowing Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra users to seamlessly send photos, videos, and other files to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This addresses a long-standing point of friction for users who frequently switch between Android and Apple devices, eliminating the need for third-party apps or workarounds to transfer files wirelessly. The rollout began on March 23rd, initially in Korea, and is expanding to include Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. Samsung announced the feature earlier this week.
How AirDrop and Quick Share Now Work Together
The integration leverages Apple’s AirDrop protocol, but operates through Samsung’s Quick Share framework. This means that even as the user experience is similar to AirDrop on Apple devices, the underlying technology is a combination of both. To enable the feature, Galaxy S26 users need to navigate to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and ensure the Share with Apple devices toggle is enabled. On the Apple side, the receiving device needs to be set to “Everyone” mode within AirDrop settings (Settings > AirDrop) for a limited time – specifically, “Everyone for 10 minutes only” – to be discoverable. This represents a security measure built into AirDrop to prevent unwanted file transfers.
Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
AirDrop toggle in Quick Share on One UI 8.5 – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Sharing files from Galaxy to Apple devices on One UI 8.5 – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Sending Files from Galaxy to Apple
- On your Galaxy device, go to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share.
- Enable the Share with Apple devices toggle.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open Settings > AirDrop and select Everyone for 10 minutes.
- On your Galaxy device, open the file you wish to share, tap Share, then select Quick Share. The Apple device should appear as a sharing target.
- On the Apple device, tap Accept when the AirDrop request appears.
Sending Files from Apple to Galaxy
- On your Galaxy device, navigate to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and set Who can share with you to Everyone (10 minutes only). Ensure the screen remains active.
- On your Apple device, open the file you want to share, tap the Share button, and select AirDrop.
- Tap on your Galaxy device when it appears in the AirDrop list.
- On the Galaxy device, tap Accept to commence the file transfer.
Beyond the S26: Future Compatibility
Currently, this AirDrop functionality is limited to the Galaxy S26 series – the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra – after receiving the One UI 8.5 update (build number ‘1AZCF’). Android Central reports the update is approximately 870MB in size. Samsung has confirmed plans to expand this feature to additional Galaxy devices in the future, but a specific timeline hasn’t been released. Users are also advised to ensure both Quick Share and the Google Play system update are current for optimal performance. The feature is enabled by default, simplifying the process for new users.
The implementation appears to be remarkably smooth, according to early reviews. 9to5Google’s testing found the process to be “quick and easy,” comparable to the native AirDrop experience on Apple devices. The speed of transfer also appears to be competitive, potentially even faster than Quick Share transfers between some Android devices.
As this feature rolls out and becomes more widely adopted, it represents a significant step towards interoperability between the two dominant mobile ecosystems. While limitations currently exist regarding device compatibility and the temporary “Everyone” setting on Apple devices, the convenience offered by this integration is likely to be a welcome addition for many users.