January 9, 2026, 4:54 AM EST. Google has added system files for AirDrop-style sharing via Quick Share to the Pixel 9 series in the latest Android Canary build, a sign cross-platform transfers could expand beyond the Pixel 10. The update excludes the Pixel 9a and Pixel 8 family, indicating older devices aren't yet supported. Observers caution that Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 likely lack the groundwork, though Google has given no firm timeline. We have not tested real transfers between a Pixel 9 and an iPhone yet. Still, the presence of these components strongly suggests ongoing work to broaden AirDrop-style sharing. Any rollout could arrive with Android 16 QPR3 or Android 17, as Google continues to iterate on cross-platform sharing.
