Samsung Galaxy S26 series can now AirDrop files to iPhones: Here’s how it works

File transfer between Android and iPhones is getting easier. That means the next time you click a photo on your smartphone, sending it to a friend with an iPhone won’t need a workaround. After Google's Pixel 10 devices, Samsung is now bringing AirDrop support to its Galaxy S26 series, allowing users to share files directly with iPhones.

According to the company, the feature goes live from March 23, starting in South Korea, and will expand to markets including North America, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, and more over the coming weeks. For now, it is limited to the Galaxy S26 lineup, with support for more devices expected later.

Also Read: Google just enabled AirDrop sharing on Pixel 10. Here’s how to use it


Bridging the Android–iOS gap

The update builds on Google’s earlier move to make Quick Share compatible with AirDrop, which first debuted on the Google Pixel 10 series in late 2025.

The idea is simple: users should be able to share files regardless of the device they use. With this integration, Galaxy users can now send photos, videos, and documents to nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs without relying on third-party apps.

How to AirDrop from Galaxy S26 to iPhone

Samsung’s version isn’t turned on by default, so users will need to enable it manually.

On Galaxy S26:

• Go to Settings → Quick Share
• Turn on “Share with Apple devices”
• Set visibility to “Everyone for 10 minutes”

On iPhone:

• Enable AirDrop
• Set it to “Everyone for 10 minutes”

To send a file:

• Open the file on your Galaxy device
• Tap Quick Share
• Select the iPhone from the list
• Accept the transfer on the iPhone

To receive files, Galaxy users also need to keep their visibility set to “Everyone for 10 minutes” so the device is discoverable.

Also Read: Samsung’s new plan lets users get Galaxy S26 Ultra at 50% price upfront: Here's how

Not automatic, but secure

Unlike Pixel devices, where the feature is more tightly integrated, Samsung requires users to toggle it on. The company says this is to give users more control.

On the security front, transfers happen over a direct peer-to-peer connection, meaning files aren’t routed through servers. Users must approve incoming transfers, and no data is logged or stored during the process.