AirDrop Comes to Galaxy: One UI 8.5 Makes the Leap
Samsung’s latest One UI 8.5 update brings a long‑awaited breakthrough: native-style AirDrop support on Galaxy phones. The feature first appeared on Google’s Pixel line, then on the Galaxy S26 series, and is now rolling out to the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Through this update, these devices gain the ability to send and receive files directly with Apple products such as iPhone, iPad, and Mac, closing one of the biggest gaps in Android iPhone file sharing. The new capability is not a separate app; it is fully integrated into Samsung’s existing Galaxy Quick Share infrastructure. Alongside AirDrop compatibility, One UI 8.5 also delivers a refreshed visual design with added transparency and blur effects, more personalization options, expanded Galaxy AI tools, and improvements for core apps like Camera and Samsung Health, making it a substantial upgrade beyond connectivity alone.
Which Galaxy Devices Support AirDrop Through Quick Share?
Google has now confirmed the specific Galaxy devices that either already support or will soon support AirDrop-style sharing via Quick Share. The list includes the Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, as well as the foldable Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Fold 7, and the Galaxy Z TriFold. Some of these, notably the Galaxy S25 family, are already receiving the stable One UI 8.5 update with AirDrop support enabled. Absent from the list are older flagships like the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5, along with mid-range and budget models from the Galaxy A, F, M, and Tab A lines, plus all Galaxy Tab S tablets for now. This makes Galaxy Quick Share AirDrop capability an exclusive perk for newer, high‑end devices.
How Galaxy Quick Share Talks to Apple’s AirDrop
On supported Galaxy devices, AirDrop compatibility is exposed through the familiar Quick Share interface. After updating to One UI 8.5, users can enable Apple device support in settings. From there, initiating a share via Quick Share will surface nearby iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers alongside Android targets. Tapping an Apple device triggers a direct, peer‑to‑peer file transfer, with no detour through cloud servers. Under the hood, Google has reverse‑engineered Apple’s AWDL (Apple Wireless Direct Link) technology using a secure, memory‑safe networking stack written in Rust. AWDL is similar to Wi‑Fi Direct but tuned for Apple’s ecosystem, so Android must effectively “speak” the same low‑level language. Because this emulation requires chipset‑level capabilities and networking optimizations, Android’s AirDrop integration is not purely software-based, which explains why only select, newer Galaxy hardware can join this cross‑platform sharing club.
Why This Matters for Cross‑Platform File Sharing
For years, seamless file sharing between Android and Apple devices has been fragmented, relying on messaging apps, emails, or third‑party services. Samsung AirDrop support via Quick Share marks a major shift: Galaxy owners can now send large photos, videos, and documents to nearby Apple devices as easily as Apple users share with each other. This reduces friction in mixed-device households, creative teams, and workplaces where iPhones and Galaxy phones coexist. It also signals a broader industry trend toward practical interoperability, even when ecosystems remain competitive. While the initial rollout is limited to high‑end models, success here could push Android and hardware partners to find ways to extend similar capabilities to more devices over time. For now, though, Galaxy users with supported phones and tablets gain a tangible, everyday benefit that finally narrows the usability gap long dominated by Apple’s AirDrop.