EN, Google Online Security Blog

Android Quick Share Support for AirDrop: A Secure Approach to Cross-Platform File Sharing

Posted by Dave Kleidermacher, VP, Platforms Security & Privacy, Google

Technology should bring people closer together, not create walls. Being able to communicate and connect with friends and family should be easy regardless of the phone they use. That’s why Android has been building experiences that help you stay connected across platforms.

As part of our efforts to continue to make cross-platform communication more seamless for users, we’ve made Quick Share interoperable with AirDrop, allowing for two-way file sharing between Android and iOS devices, starting with the Pixel 10 Family. This new feature makes it possible to quickly share your photos, videos, and files with people you choose to communicate with, without worrying about the kind of phone they use.

Most importantly, when you share personal files and content, you need to trust that it stays secure. You can share across devices with confidence knowing we built this feature with security at its core, protecting your data with strong safeguards that have been tested by independent security experts.

Secure by Design

We built Quick Share’s interoperability support for AirDrop with the same rigorous security standards that we apply to all Google products. Our approach to security is proactive and deeply integrated into every stage of the development process. This includes:

  • Threat Modeling: We identify and address potential security risks before they can become a problem.
  • Internal Security Design and Privacy Reviews: Our dedicated security and privacy teams thoroughly review the design to ensure it meets our high standards.
  • Internal Penetration Testing: We conduct extensive in-house testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities.

This “secure by design” philosophy ensures that all of our products are not just functional but also fundamentally secure.

This feature is also protected by a multi-layered security approach to ensure a safe sharing experience from end-to-end, regardless of what platform you’re on.