While Quick Share’s new AirDrop support has already shaken up the mobile world, Google isn’t stopping there. Beyond expanding to more devices like the Galaxy S26, a major new upgrade is in the works that promises to make cross-platform sharing more seamless and intuitive than ever before.
Before Quick Share with AirDrop debuted with the Pixel 10, there were already clues that Google was working on integrating a tap-to-share gesture. This would allow users to initiate file transfers by tapping two phones together, similar to the classic NFC feature on older Android phones like Android Beam, and was later popularized again by Apple. The latter even introduced its own iterations, such as NameDrop.
Tap to Start Sharing via Quick Share
A fresh discovery by Android Authority suggests there are similar clues regarding tap-to-share functionality within One UI 9. Code strings mention the feature alongside “Tap your phone with someone” verbiage. Similarly, related names for the feature have been found within Android 17.
There is also a system-level indication of the same feature. On the surface, Samsung is tracking it as “Gesture Exchange,” which is likely the final moniker once it becomes available. Regardless of the name, these findings heavily suggest that Samsung is adopting the same Quick Share capability for its Galaxy devices.
Will Tap-to-Share Support Android to iPhone?
While there is no actual demonstration of the feature yet, it is expected to complement the new Quick Share for cross-platform sharing with Apple devices. However, it remains unclear if Apple will eventually allow this as part of AirDrop after already opening up the basic feature.
This is considerably a stretch for the iPhone maker, given how strictly they have enforced a closed ecosystem for many years. But even if cross-platform support for the gesture doesn’t make it, this will still improve the usability of Quick Share between Android devices. Google will likely announce this new function with Android 17, which should take center stage at the next I/O in May.
Beyond Quick Share, are you looking forward to more cross-platform features arriving on your Android device? Discuss your answers below.
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