Apple better watch out: instant file sharing with iPhone is coming to your Android
Qualcomm promises to expand file sharing between Android and iPhone to all of its Snapdragon processors in the near future. © Yasu31 / Les Numériques
Last week, Google has discreetly activated full compatibility with AirDrop on its Pixel 10Apple’s file sharing system. A first in the Android ecosystem which took observers and competitors by surprise. Now, Qualcomm announces that it wants to democratize this progress.
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Responding on X to Google’s announcement, the Californian manufacturer said it couldn’t wait “that people will use this feature once enabled on Snapdragon in the near future”. However, the company did not specify which processor models would be affected, nor whether it is working directly with Google to deploy this interoperability. Google had nevertheless mentioned its desire to “working with industry partners to make connecting and communicating across platforms a secure and seamless experience”.
A technical feat that bypasses Apple’s barriers
The manufacturer Nothing also announced that it was preparing the integration of this functionality on its phones, becoming one of the first equipment manufacturers to follow in Google’s footsteps. The latter also promised to improve the experience and extend the function beyond the series Pixel 10.
Contrary to speculation circulating on the subject, this feat is not the result of a European regulatory constraint. Some argued that the Digital Markets Regulation would have forced Apple to abandon its proprietary AWDL protocol, the backbone of AirDrop. However, examination of the documents shows that the European Union simply requires that Apple implement Wi-Fi Aware to guarantee minimum interoperability, which the Cupertino company has already accomplished.
The technical reality is more subtle: Google did not wait for Apple to abandon AWDL. The company has directly integrated support for this protocol into Quick Share, its own sharing system. Apple continues to use AWDL for AirDrop today. With Qualcomm’s involvement, this capability may soon cease to be a Pixel-only privilege.
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