Apple is taking a major step towards interoperability with iOS 26, which for the first time allows wireless file sharing (Airdrop) between iPhones and Android devices. Or at least in theory.
The move comes as Apple enables developer access to Wi-Fi Aware, a wireless technology that could dramatically simplify local file transfers across rival platforms. But don’t throw away your USB cables just yet.
Airdrop and the Wi-Fi Aware
Wi-Fi Aware, also known as Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN), is an industry standard that lets nearby devices discover and connect to each other directly, without using the internet or even a shared Wi-Fi network. It’s similar in spirit to Apple’s AirDrop and AirPlay, which have long offered seamless local transfers but only within Apple’s ecosystem.
With iOS 26, Apple is finally lifting some of that exclusivity, making Wi-Fi Aware available to third-party developers. This means that, for the first time, iPhones and Android phones can theoretically communicate over the same wireless protocol, enabling ultra-fast file sharing, screen sharing, or media streaming between the two platforms.
While this might sound like a dream come true for users who’ve struggled with clunky third-party apps or cloud uploads just to share a few photos between platforms, there’s a catch: this new capability is for developers, not users. In other words, you won’t be able to beam a file from iPhone to Android right out of the box.
For cross-platform sharing to work, developers must first build apps on both Android and iOS that support Wi-Fi Aware and communicate with each other properly. Only then will end-users see the real-world benefits of this change.
Why Now? Thank the EU
Apple’s decision isn’t entirely voluntary (just like the move to implement the USB-C standard wasn’t either). The change is likely a response to growing regulatory pressure, particularly from the European Union.
Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is required to open up certain proprietary technologies to competitors and third parties. But in a notable move, Apple has opted to make Wi-Fi Aware support global — not just limited to Europe.
iOS 26 is still in its beta phase and expected to launch officially this fall. Whether it ushers in a new era of frictionless file sharing between iPhone and Android depends largely on how quickly developers act.
