Apple-Exclusive AirDrop Might Soon Be Compatible With Android Smartphones? Here's What We Know About EU's Draft

The European Union regulators recently unveiled a draft proposal outlining their plans to enforce cross-platform compatibility for features like AirDrop.

Apple might have a tough year ahead as the European Union is intensifying its regulatory scrutiny with new tech rules as time passes. Apple has already had to make all its devices, including Macs, to have USB-C ports for charging. On top of that, the iOS platform is under pressure to support more third-party features. In a significant development, Apple may also be required to extend its exclusive AirDrop file-sharing functionality to work with other platforms, such as Android. This change could mark a major shift in how Apple users share files across devices.

The push for interoperability is at the core of these regulatory demands. EU lawmakers aim to ensure that technology ecosystems, including those of Apple, Microsoft, and Google, are more open and compatible with one another, promoting fairness and convenience for consumers.

Rocky Road Ahead

The European Union regulators recently unveiled a draft proposal outlining their plans to enforce cross-platform compatibility for features like AirDrop. A final decision on the matter is anticipated in 2025, with the outcome likely favoring this initiative. Currently, AirDrop is an exclusive feature within Apple’s ecosystem, designed to ensure secure transfers of files, links, documents, and even media between Apple devices. The EU’s proposal envisions a future where users could share content seamlessly between iPhones, Macs, iPads, and devices running Android or Windows.

If mandated, Apple is expected to raise concerns about privacy, a stance the company has consistently maintained when addressing regulatory pressures. Apple has often argued that expanding access to its features could compromise user security, especially if less stringent standards from companies like Meta or Google are involved. However, given the EU’s track record of enforcing such changes, it seems increasingly likely that AirDrop may evolve into a cross-platform feature.

Meanwhile, Android users already enjoy similar functionality with Quick Share, which also supports Windows. Making AirDrop widely accessible could provide a game-changing convenience to millions of users across platforms.