- How to switch on the new Share with Apple devices toggle on your Galaxy A56 or A57 once you've got One UI 9, so you can beam files straight to iPhones with AirDrop.
- How to dial in visibility on both your Galaxy and the iPhone so the two phones actually see each other and finish a transfer without any extra apps.
- How to push and pull photos, videos and docs between Android and Apple gear, then lock your privacy settings back down when you're done.
For years, getting a photo off a Samsung Galaxy and onto an iPhone meant a workaround. You'd toss it into Google Drive, let WhatsApp crush the quality, or email it to yourself. That headache is finally gone for mid-range buyers. With One UI 9, your Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A57 can now chat directly with AirDrop on iPhones, iPads and Macs through Quick Share. No cables. No weird third party apps. Here's how you actually get it working.
What You'll Need
Sort this checklist first. It'll save you from hitting a wall halfway through a transfer.
- Compatible phone: Samsung Galaxy A56 or Galaxy A57. Samsung started this cross-platform trick on flagships like the Galaxy S25, S24, Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, and these are the first A-series mid-rangers to get it.
- Software: One UI 9 installed. Nothing happens without this update. Samsung left it out of the official One UI 9 changelog, but folks on Reddit and Samsung Community forums have confirmed it's live.
- Updated components: The newest build of Quick Share plus its related components from the Galaxy Store.
- Apple device: An iPhone, iPad or Mac that supports AirDrop.
- Time needed: 5-10 minutes to set up, plus extra time if you still need to install the One UI 9 update.
- Connectivity: Keep both devices close, within 10 metres, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on. You don't need mobile data for the transfer itself.
⚠️ Warning: A big OS jump like One UI 9 takes 15-30 minutes and forces a restart. Get your battery to at least 50% and stash your important photos and docs in Samsung Cloud or Google Drive before you tap install. If the update gets interrupted, you don't want to lose anything.
How to Check and Install the One UI 9 Update on Your Galaxy A56 or A57?
You won't get AirDrop compatibility until One UI 9 is on board. If you picked up your phone in India recently, the A57 got it last week and the A56 is rolling out now.
- Check your current version: Open Settings > About phone > Software information. Look for One UI version. See 9.0 and you're good to go. See 8.x or lower and you've got an update to grab.
- Check for the update: Head to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Your phone will hunt for One UI 9. If it's ready for you, a download prompt will pop up.
- Install the update: Hit Download then Install now when it asks. Your phone will reboot on its own. You'll get the Samsung logo and a progress bar while it works.
- Update Quick Share from Galaxy Store: Once you're back up, open Galaxy Store > tap the Menu icon > Updates. Find Quick Share and any companion components, then tap Update all. It should flip to Updated when it's done.
✅ Pro Tip: Pixel's stock Android, Xiaomi's HyperOS and OnePlus's OxygenOS pull Quick Share from the Play Store. Samsung doesn't. For this feature you've got to update Quick Share through the Galaxy Store first.
How to Enable Share with Apple Devices in Quick Share?
This one switch is what lets your Galaxy understand AirDrop. On flagships like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung leaves it on by default, but on the A56 and A57 you'll probably have to flick it on yourself.
- Open Quick Share settings: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share. You'll land in the Quick Share menu where visibility and sharing options live.
- Find the Apple toggle: Scroll until you spot Share with Apple devices. There's a switch right next to the label.
- Turn it on: Tap that switch for Share with Apple devices. It'll slide right and turn blue when it's active.
- Confirm it stays on: Back out and then go again to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share to double check. Still blue, you're set. Grey, tap it once more.
⚡ Quick Trick: Don't see Share with Apple devices anywhere? You're not on One UI 9 yet or Quick Share isn't current from the Galaxy Store. Finish both updates and reboot. Then look again.
How to Send Files from Your Galaxy A56 or A57 to an iPhone, iPad or Mac?
With the toggle on, sending feels just like a normal Quick Share. You just need both devices to be discoverable for a minute.
- Set your Galaxy to be discoverable: Open Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and choose Everyone under visibility. You'll see Everyone light up as the active choice.
- Set the iPhone to receive from Everyone: On the iPhone go to Settings > General > AirDrop and pick Everyone. Or open Control Centre, press and hold the network card, tap AirDrop and hit Everyone. A checkmark will appear next to Everyone.
- Select the file on your Galaxy: Open Gallery, My Files, or whatever app holds the file. Tap Share > Quick Share. Your Galaxy will start scanning for nearby devices.
- Choose the Apple device: Give it a few seconds. The iPhone, iPad or Mac should show up in the nearby list with an AirDrop icon. Tap its name.
- Confirm on both devices: The transfer kicks off after you approve the prompts on each side. On the iPhone tap Accept when the AirDrop alert appears. You'll get a progress circle, then Sent on the Galaxy, and the file lands in Photos or Files on the iPhone.
⚠️ Warning: That iPhone Everyone setting is temporary. It lasts 10 minutes for privacy, then snaps back to Contacts Only on its own. Your Galaxy also stays openly discoverable for just a short window. So send while that window's open or you'll have to flip Everyone on again for both.
What Happens After You Send?
| Setting | During Transfer | After Transfer (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Quick Share Visibility | Set to Everyone so iPhone can see you | Switch back to Contacts only or Your devices |
| iPhone AirDrop Visibility | Set to Everyone for 10 minutes | Automatically returns to Contacts Only, verify manually |
| Share with Apple devices Toggle | Must be ON | Can stay ON, it does not make you discoverable by itself |
How to Receive Files from an iPhone on Your Galaxy A56 or A57?
Receiving flips the script. Your Galaxy has to be the one that's easy to find.
- Make your Galaxy discoverable: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and make sure Share with Apple devices is blue and switched on.
- Open Quick Share to be found: Leave the Quick Share screen open on your Galaxy. You should get a Ready to receive message or see your device name shown to nearby gear. That tells the iPhone you're there.
- Send from the iPhone: On the iPhone pick the photo or file, tap Share > AirDrop, then tap your Galaxy's name once it appears. Your A56 or A57 will show up as a nearby device.
- Accept on your Galaxy: Tap Accept on the incoming prompt on your Galaxy. You'll watch a download bar fill, then get a confirmation that the file landed in Gallery or Downloads.
✅ Pro Tip: iPhone can't find your Galaxy? Get the phones within 1 metre, kill any VPN on either side, and make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on both even if you're not joined to a network. AirDrop and Quick Share use direct peer to peer Wi-Fi, so they don't need a router.
How to Optimize Visibility and Privacy After Sharing?
Staying on Everyone feels easy, but it's risky in packed places like metros, campuses or busy offices in India. Strangers can ping you with junk if you're wide open.
- Switch Galaxy back to private: Head to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and flip visibility from Everyone to Contacts only. You'll see Contacts only highlighted.
- Verify iPhone setting: On the iPhone open Settings > General > AirDrop and check that it says Contacts Only. It should have reverted after 10 minutes, but it's smart to confirm.
- Keep the Apple toggle on: You can leave Share with Apple devices enabled. It doesn't keep you visible to everyone. It just lets the cross-platform handshake happen when you decide to share. It'll stay blue without hurting privacy.
⚡ Quick Trick: If you're always swapping stuff with family, like UPI receipts, class notes or festival pics between your Galaxy and someone's iPhone, keep both devices on Contacts only and save each other's numbers with the Apple ID email in contacts. Then you won't have to keep flipping to Everyone.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: Share with Apple devices Toggle Is Missing
Problem: You open Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and there's no Share with Apple devices option at all.
Solution: That means the phone isn't fully up to date. First verify you're on One UI 9 at Settings > About phone > Software information. If not, grab it at Settings > Software update > Download and install. Then pull the latest Quick Share from Galaxy Store > Updates. Reboot and check again. Still missing? Samsung is pushing this in waves, so your region or carrier variant might just need a few more days.
Issue: iPhone Does Not Appear in Quick Share Nearby List
Problem: You tap Share > Quick Share on the Galaxy and the iPhone never pops up, even though Share with Apple devices is on.
Solution: Visibility is usually the culprit. Set Quick Share on the Galaxy to Everyone. Set AirDrop on the iPhone to Everyone too, and do it right before you share since it expires after 10 minutes. Keep both screens awake and unlocked, bring the phones within 1 metre, turn off Personal Hotspot on the iPhone and switch off VPNs on both. And try toggling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and back on for each device.
Issue: Transfer Fails or Gets Stuck on Waiting
Problem: The iPhone shows up, you tap it, but the transfer just hangs on Waiting or dies right away.
Solution: Both sides have to approve the prompt. Watch for an Accept or Receive pop-up on the receiving device and tap it fast. If you missed it, cancel and start over. Test with a single photo first to rule out a huge file causing trouble. If it still stalls, close Quick Share on the Galaxy and reopen it through Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share to make it discoverable again, then resend.
If you've tried two or three times and nothing works, get support through the Samsung Members app or visit a Samsung Service Centre. Don't factory reset just to chase this one feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will enabling Share with Apple devices void my warranty?
No, this is an official Samsung feature delivered through One UI 9 and Galaxy Store updates and it doesn't void your warranty.
What file types can I send between Galaxy and iPhone?
You can send photos, videos, docs and other common files that both Quick Share and AirDrop support without compression.
Can I turn off Share with Apple devices after using it?
Yes, you can switch it off anytime in Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and flip it back on whenever you need it.
Is my data safe when sharing with Everyone mode?
Yes, both devices have to accept before anything moves, but flip back to Contacts only when you're done so strangers can't spam you with requests.
Will this setting stay on after a software update?
Yes, your choice usually sticks, but peek at Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share after a big update to make sure.
Does this work on budget Samsung phones like Galaxy A27 or A37?
Not yet, only the Galaxy A56 and A57 have it so far in the A-series, but Samsung will likely bring it to more mid-range phones later.
Final Thoughts
Samsung just erased the most annoying wall between Android and Apple for people who don't buy flagships. And once you've used Quick Share to AirDrop without thinking about it, you won't go back to Drive links or compressed WhatsApp forwards. Test it with one photo tonight, lock your visibility back to Contacts only, and watch how fast this becomes second nature. If Samsung keeps pushing this down the A-series lineup, the whole "Android can't talk to iPhone" excuse is done.
Sources
- gizchina.com
- ghacks.net
- androidpolice.com
- tech.yahoo.com
Source: this story was first reported by gizchina.com.