Samsung has begun rolling out support for AirDrop-style file sharing on select Galaxy phones, and the feature is no longer limited to premium models. The new capability works through Quick Share and is designed to let Galaxy users exchange files with Apple devices more easily.
The rollout first appeared on the Galaxy S26 series, but evidence from recent testing suggests that several older Galaxy phones can also surface the same Apple-sharing option after receiving the right software updates. That makes this one of the more interesting cross-platform sharing changes in the Android ecosystem, especially for users who frequently move photos, videos, or documents between Samsung and iPhone devices.
What Samsung is adding
Samsung’s official message says the company is bringing AirDrop support to the Galaxy S26 series through Quick Share. In practice, this means Galaxy phones can use Samsung’s file-sharing system in a way that becomes compatible with Apple’s nearby-sharing framework.
The important shift is not just the flagship launch. Reports from GalaxyClub and testing cited by 9to5Google show that the feature may appear on more Galaxy devices than Samsung first announced. In other words, the new sharing option is starting with the latest premium phones, but it is not necessarily staying there.
Which Samsung phones can show the new Apple-sharing menu
According to GalaxyClub’s findings, the “Share with Apple devices” menu has appeared on more Galaxy models after updated Quick Share components were installed. These devices include the following:
- Galaxy S25 series
- Galaxy S24 series
- Galaxy S23 series
- Galaxy S22 series
- Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Galaxy A56
- Galaxy A36
- Galaxy A55
This list is notable because it includes not only flagship phones, but also several midrange Galaxy A models. That suggests Samsung may be preparing a wider rollout beyond its most expensive phones.
How the feature is linked to Quick Share
Samsung does not appear to be adding a separate AirDrop app. The sharing function is tied to Quick Share, which is already built into many Galaxy devices for fast local transfers.
Google previously made Quick Share compatible with Apple’s AirDrop system and introduced the feature first on the Pixel 10. The feature then expanded to the Pixel 9 line and later reached other brands, including Samsung. This makes the Samsung implementation part of a broader Android effort to reduce friction between Android phones and Apple devices.
What has been tested so far
Early tests show two different realities. On supported devices with the right official update, the Apple-sharing menu can appear inside Quick Share, but that does not always mean the feature works immediately in every case.
In testing mentioned by the source, the menu appeared on a Galaxy S25 Ultra running One UI 8.5 beta after updated Quick Share components were installed through Galaxy Store. A similar result was also reported on Galaxy Z Fold 7 after a manual extension install. However, those devices were not yet detected by an iPhone 15 Pro or MacBook Air during some trials.
By contrast, Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26 Ultra devices that received the feature officially were detected by Apple devices in tests. That suggests the Samsung rollout may still be in progress, with software compatibility and regional release timing affecting real-world behavior.
Why this matters for Samsung users
Cross-platform sharing has long been a pain point for people who use both Android and iPhone. Photos often lose convenience when transferred through messaging apps, and large videos can be difficult to move cleanly between ecosystems.
An AirDrop-compatible Quick Share system could reduce that problem. For Galaxy users who work with iPhone owners, MacBooks, or iPads, the change could simplify collaboration and file exchange without needing third-party apps or cloud uploads.
What users should know before trying it
At the moment, the safest route is to wait for the official rollout through Samsung’s software updates. Some users have reported that manually installing Quick Share components can surface the menu on older devices, but that approach carries risk and should only be done from trusted sources.
The versions cited in reports include Quick Share v13.8.51.58, Quick Share Agent v3.5.22.24, and Quick Share Connectivity v1.5.13.15. Those build numbers may help identify whether a device is running the required software, but they do not guarantee that the Apple-sharing function will work in every region or on every model.
Why midrange phones are part of the story
Samsung’s inclusion of Galaxy A56, A36, and A55 is the clearest sign that this is more than a flagship-only feature. Midrange phones often reach a larger audience than premium models, so their inclusion could make cross-platform sharing more common across Samsung’s user base.
That also matters for Discover readers because many Samsung customers do not use the company’s high-end devices. If the feature continues to spread, it could become one of the more practical updates in Samsung’s recent software lineup.
Practical list: Samsung phones most likely to get the feature first
| Category | Models mentioned in reports |
|---|---|
| Flagship S series | Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22 |
| Foldable | Galaxy Z Fold 7 |
| Midrange A series | Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A55 |
The presence of these models does not mean every unit already has working AirDrop compatibility. It does indicate where the menu has been observed, and it gives a useful map of Samsung’s likely rollout path.
Samsung has said the feature starts with the Galaxy S26 series and will expand to more devices later, with regional rollout beginning in Korea and then extending to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. For users who rely on regular file sharing between Android and Apple devices, the next software wave could make Samsung phones much easier to live with across ecosystems.
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