Google is bringing this Apple AirDrop like safety feature to Android's Quick Share tool

Google is reportedly removing the "Everyone" sharing mode from Quick Share, its Apple AirDrop competitor for Android. A report claims that the tech giant has rolled out a server-side update that makes the file-sharing feature more privacy-focused and aligned with the iPhone’s approach.According to Android Authority, the always-on "Everyone" option, which allowed users to receive files from any nearby Android device indefinitely, has disappeared from at least some devices. This has left users with "Your devices," "Contacts," and "Everyone for 10 minutes" which has replaced the "Everyone" indefinite option.The change has been spotted on Google's Pixel 10 and was first reported by Android Authority, which observed the missing option on devices running different versions of Google Play Services, suggesting the rollout is being controlled server-side rather than through a standard app update.

We at TOI also observed the change on our Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Google updates ‘Everyone’ option in Android’s Quick Share: What it means for users

For users who frequently use Quick Share, the "Everyone" option is convenient. However, because it allows virtually anyone to send files via Quick Share, it can pose a security risk. That is probably why Google has begun removing the "Everyone" option. The change aligns Quick Share with AirDrop and limits the Everyone option to 10 minutes.The report states the change was identified following the recent Google Play Services beta update to version 26.06.31.

Currently, the change appears only on some devices, suggesting Google will likely begin removing the option on a broader set of Android devices.

Android Quick Share now supports Apple AirDrop: Here’s how it works

Last year, Google made Android's Quick Share interoperable with Apple's AirDrop, though the feature was initially limited to the Pixel 10 series. Rather than tying functionality to Pixel-specific hardware, Google upgraded the Quick Share Extension to a standalone APK with its own Play Store listing, making AirDrop interoperability a Quick Share feature available across Android devices.

Earlier this month, the company confirmed that the feature will be expanding to other Android devices beyond the Pixel 10 series.Google is also working to make switching from iPhone to Android easier. Eric Kay, Vice President of Engineering for the Android platform, recently said, "We're also going to be working to make it easy for people who do decide to switch to transfer their data and make sure they've got everything they had from their old phone. So there's a lot more going on with that."In December 2025, Google and Apple confirmed they were collaborating on a new switching method to facilitate easier transitions between Android and iOS devices, with support for transferring different types of data.