Why your Android phone might not get AirDrop and what's next

Key Points:

• Google is expanding AirDrop support via Android’s Quick Share to more Android devices, including the Pixel 8a, Oppo Find N6, and a range of upcoming Galaxy S25, S24, Z Fold, Z Flip, Oppo Find X8 series, OnePlus 15, and Honor Magic models.
• The AirDrop compatibility requires a specific "chipset level networking tweak" enabling Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL), which is why support is limited to certain flagship and newer devices, with many mid-range and older phones unlikely to receive the feature.
• Google’s implementation allows simultaneous detection of both AirDrop and Quick Share devices, maintaining compatibility across ecosystems without fully opening AirDrop support to all Android phones.
• The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are notably absent from the confirmed list, possibly due to pending updates, although their similar hardware to the Pixel 8a suggests they may receive support in the future.
• There is no clear public specification for which devices will support AirDrop over Quick Share, as it depends on a combination of chipset and wireless modem capabilities, making it difficult to predict support for individual models.