vGoogle may be preparing to expand Quick Share’s AirDrop support to older Pixel phones. Some Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 users have reportedly started seeing notifications related to AirDrop support, suggesting that Google could be testing the feature beyond the phones that officially support it today.
The change could be important for people who use a Pixel phone alongside an iPhone. If the wider rollout happens, older Pixel owners may be able to send files directly to nearby Apple devices without relying on email, messaging apps, or cloud storage.
Quick Share and AirDrop Are Getting Closer
Quick Share is Google’s built-in Android file-sharing system. It lets users send photos, videos, documents, and other files to nearby compatible devices.
Google added the ability for Quick Share to work with Apple’s AirDrop in November 2025, initially starting with the Pixel 10 family. The feature allows supported Android phones to send files to iPhones, iPads, and Macs through Apple’s AirDrop system.
The important part is that the Android phone does not need Apple’s AirDrop app. Quick Share handles the Android side of the connection, while the Apple device receives the file through AirDrop.
Google’s current support information lists AirDrop compatibility for supported Pixel models and selected phones from other Android brands. Older Pixel models have not all received the feature yet.
Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Users Are Seeing New Signs
The latest development involves older Pixel phones. Reports published on September 4 say some Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 users have started seeing notifications that point toward Quick Share and AirDrop compatibility.
This is interesting because these phones are older than the Pixel models that have officially received the feature. The reports suggest Google may be testing or preparing a wider rollout.
However, seeing a notification does not mean the feature has been officially released to every Pixel 7 or Pixel 8 owner. Google has not announced full AirDrop support for these models, so users should not assume that the feature will immediately work on every device.
The current situation can be summed up simply:
- Pixel 10 phones were the first Pixel devices to receive Quick Share and AirDrop support.
- Newer Pixel models have gradually received the feature.
- Pixel 8a has also gained support, while the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro had remained notable omissions.
- New reports suggest Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 devices could be next, but a full rollout has not been confirmed.
Why Older Pixel Support Would Matter
Cross-platform file sharing has long been easier inside the same phone ecosystem. iPhone users can use AirDrop to quickly send files to other Apple devices, while Android users can use Quick Share for nearby Android devices.
The problem appears when an Android user wants to send a file directly to an iPhone.
Without AirDrop compatibility, users may need to use another service or send a download link. That can be slower and less convenient, especially when sharing several large photos or videos.
Quick Share’s AirDrop support changes that experience. On a compatible Android phone, a user can select a file and use Quick Share, while the nearby iPhone can receive the transfer through AirDrop.
For older Pixel owners, getting the same feature would remove one of the remaining differences between older and newer Pixel phones.
What Happens When It Works
The process is designed to be fairly simple. The Android user selects a photo, video, or file and chooses Quick Share. The nearby iPhone needs to have AirDrop set to allow discovery, after which the receiving user can accept the transfer.
Google says the feature can work between supported Android devices and all iPhone devices. Support also extends to iPads and Macs.
| Device | Quick Share to AirDrop status |
|---|---|
| Pixel 10 series | Supported |
| Pixel 9 series | Supported on compatible models |
| Pixel 8a | Supported |
| Pixel 8 | Possible expansion reported, not fully confirmed |
| Pixel 8 Pro | Possible expansion reported, not fully confirmed |
| Pixel 7 series | Possible expansion reported, not fully confirmed |
The table reflects the current reported situation rather than a promise that every listed older model will receive the feature.
Google May Be Expanding Support Through Software
One reason the latest reports are attracting attention is that Quick Share is primarily a software-based sharing service. That could make it possible for Google to bring the AirDrop connection to additional phones without requiring new physical hardware.
There can still be technical limits, though. Google has not said that every older Pixel will receive the feature, and compatibility can depend on the phone’s software and underlying components.
That is why the reports about Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 devices are best viewed as an early sign rather than a final announcement.
Google has already been expanding Quick Share and AirDrop compatibility beyond the original Pixel 10 launch. In 2026, support has moved to more Pixel phones and selected devices from other Android manufacturers.
Pixel Owners May Need to Wait for the Final Rollout
If Google does enable AirDrop support on older Pixel phones, the feature will likely arrive through a software or component update rather than a new phone purchase.
Users should therefore keep their Pixel phones updated and check Quick Share settings after new updates arrive. A notification or new setting could indicate that the feature has become available.
But there is no need to change phones based only on the current reports. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 support has not been confirmed as a complete public rollout, and Google’s official compatibility information remains the best indication of which devices are supported.
Final Take
Quick Share’s ability to work with AirDrop is becoming one of the most useful changes to Android’s file-sharing system. It makes sending photos and files between Android and Apple devices much easier and removes one of the biggest barriers between the two ecosystems.
The possible expansion to Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 phones is therefore significant. Reports of AirDrop-related notifications appearing on some older devices suggest Google could be testing or preparing broader support.
For now, Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 owners should treat the development as a possible upcoming feature, not a confirmed rollout. If Google completes the expansion, owners of these older phones could soon get a much easier way to share files directly with iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.