Samsung Galaxy S26: AirDrop Compatibility Coming to iPhones & Macs

March 23, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

Samsung Galaxy S26 owners will soon be able to seamlessly share files with Apple devices, thanks to an update bringing AirDrop compatibility to the South Korean tech giant’s flagship phones. The feature, arriving as part of an update to the Quick Share function, begins rolling out in Korea on March 23, with a wider release to the US and other regions slated for later this week, according to Samsung.

The integration allows Galaxy S26 users to directly share photos and files with iPhones, iPads, and Macs without relying on workarounds or third-party applications. Once activated through the phone’s settings – accessible via Settings, Connected Devices, then Quick Share, and finally Share with Apple Devices – Quick Share will detect nearby Apple devices. IPhone users will necessitate to have AirDrop set to “Everyone” to be visible to the Samsung phone.

This move follows a similar implementation by Google with its Pixel 10 phones last fall, which also gained AirDrop compatibility. Google’s VP of Android engineering, Eric Kay, indicated in November 2025 that the company planned to expand this interoperability to more Android devices throughout 2026, a promise Samsung is now acting upon. Nothing and Qualcomm have also publicly expressed interest in adding AirDrop interoperability to their devices.

Samsung emphasized that this update is part of a broader effort to improve compatibility between its devices and those running other operating systems. While initially limited to the Galaxy S26 series, the company intends to extend AirDrop support to additional Galaxy devices at a later date. The rollout will expand to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan following the initial Korean launch.

The addition of AirDrop compatibility could significantly streamline file sharing between users of Apple and Samsung devices, two of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers. Samsung has not yet announced a timeline for expanding the feature to its more affordable phone lines, such as the Galaxy A17.