Google Pixel 9 Series Gets AirDrop Support via Quick Share Update

• Google has officially expanded its AirDrop-compatible Quick Share feature to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold models.
• The update, delivered via a Google Play System update, aims to simplify sharing high-resolution files between Pixel and Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
• Notably, the more budget-friendly Pixel 9a is excluded from this feature expansion, creating a gap within the same generation.

Here's a small miracle for the 2020s. Google just patched a hole in the universe, making it possible to send a photo from a Pixel to an iPhone without jumping through a dozen hoops. It's about time.

The AirDrop Expansion: From Pixel 10 to Pixel 9

Google first pulled this trick last year. When the Pixel 10 launched in late 2025, it came with a surprise. Its Quick Share feature could finally talk to Apple's AirDrop. It was a shock, and it worked. Now, a few months later, that party trick is rolling out to last year's flagships.

You won't find it in your regular system update. The company announced on X and in its support forums that this is a Google Play System update, trickling out "starting today." That's a clever move. It lets Google add a major new feature to older phones without a full OS overhaul, and it makes last year's Pixel 9 feel a whole lot newer overnight.

Which Pixel 9 Models Are Included (And Which Is Not)

So, which phones get the goodies? If you've got a premium Pixel 9, you're in luck.

• Pixel 9
• Pixel 9 Pro
• Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold

But there's a catch, and it's a weird one. The Pixel 9a gets nothing. Google's own support page bluntly says the feature is for "Pixel 9 phones (excluding Pixel 9A)." That's a strange line to draw. It means someone with the base Pixel 9 can AirDrop to an iPhone, but their friend with the slightly cheaper 9a is stuck using email like it's 2012. Google didn't say why, but the message is clear. This is a premium feature, and the budget model doesn't make the cut.

How to Enable AirDrop Support on Your Pixel 9

Getting it working is simple, but you have to look in the right place. Don't bother with the standard Software Update menu.

Here's what you do:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System > Software updates.
3. Tap on Google Play System update.
4. Install the latest available update.

Once that's done, your Quick Share menu should start seeing iPhones, iPads, and Macs nearby. Google says it's built with "multi-layered security," which is the obligatory nod to privacy we all expect. The real test is whether it's as fast and simple as it promises to be.

Real-World Implications and User Experience

Let's be honest. This is genuinely useful. If you've ever been at a gathering where half the people have iPhones, you know the drill. You take a great group photo on your Pixel and the sharing process instantly becomes a chore. You're uploading to a chat, sending a compressed version, or begging someone for their email.

This update aims to kill that nonsense. It's built for sharing "high-resolution files," which means your photos should stay at their original quality. For anyone whose social or family life involves crossing the Android-iOS border, this is a quality-of-life upgrade that actually matters.

Context and the Broader Cross-Platform Push

This isn't just a Pixel story. It's Google waving a white flag at reality. AirDrop is the standard because Apple's ecosystem is huge. Rather than fighting it and hoping iPhone users adopt some new protocol, Google is adopting theirs. It's the pragmatic choice.

And the plan seems bigger than Pixel. Reports suggest Google wants to bring this compatibility to more Android devices. The Pixel 9 rollout looks like the next test before a wider launch. Imagine if this eventually baked into the Quick Share service on Samsung phones, too. That's the real goal. A world where the brand of phone in your pocket doesn't lock you out of the simplest way to share a file.

Notable Omissions and Lingering Questions

But the rollout leaves some obvious holes. The Pixel 9a exclusion is jarring. What about the Pixel 8 or 7? Google isn't saying. There's also a big technical question mark. The announcement clearly says Pixels can share *to* Apple devices. But can an iPhone user look for your Pixel and start the transfer? That's a key part of AirDrop's ease, and the silence on that point is loud. If it's only one-way, it's half a solution.

Pixel 9 Series Quick Share with AirDrop: Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my Pixel 9a get AirDrop support?

No. Google's official line leaves the Pixel 9a out.

How do I get the AirDrop feature on my Pixel 9?

Check for a Google Play System update in your Settings, under System > Software updates.

Can an iPhone send files to my Pixel 9 via AirDrop now?

The current information only confirms sending from Pixel to Apple. The reverse isn't detailed.

Will older Pixel phones get this feature?

Google hasn't announced anything for the Pixel 8 or earlier, but has hinted at a broader Android rollout.

Final Thoughts

This is a good update that solves a real problem. But the decision to skip the Pixel 9a feels cheap, like Google is artificially gatekeeping basic connectivity to push you toward a more expensive model. It's a step toward a less fragmented world, but they took that step while leaving a perfectly good phone behind. The takeaway? Cross-platform peace is coming, but you might have to pay a premium to get it first.

Sources

• digitaltrends.com
• droid-life.com
• gsmarena.com
• androidpolice.com
• phonearena.com
• support.google.com
• 91mobiles.com