Pixel Tablet now supports Quick Share to iPhone: Here is how it works

Quick Share on the Pixel Tablet: A quiet addition

If you own a Google Pixel Tablet and an iPhone, sharing a photo or a document just got a little easier. A new software change appears to have quietly brought Quick Share file transfers to the 2023 tablet, letting it send files directly to Apple devices. This move fills a gap for an otherwise useful tablet that many users had written off.

The feature was spotted on a Pixel Tablet running Android 17. A screenshot of the interface shows the same Quick Share options that Pixel phone owners have enjoyed since last year. While Google has not formally announced this update, the evidence suggests the company is finally treating its tablet as a first-class citizen in the cross-platform sharing game.

How Quick Share works with an iPhone

What this means for Pixel Tablet now supports Quick Share to iPhone

Quick Share is Google's answer to Apple's AirDrop. It lets Android devices send photos, videos, and files to nearby devices without cables or cloud uploads. Last year, Google added support for sending files from Android to iPhones via AirDrop, but that feature was limited to a handful of phones. Now the Pixel Tablet appears to be included.

The interface relies on a QR code-based system, which is widely expected to be part of this tablet update. You simply pick the file you want to share, choose Quick Share, and the tablet generates a QR code. The iPhone user scans the code with their camera, and the transfer begins over a direct Wi-Fi connection.

It is not yet clear whether the Pixel Tablet can receive files from an iPhone using the same method. But given that other devices support two-way transfers, it is reasonable to expect that this capability will work both ways once the feature is fully rolled out.

Which devices can already do this?

Before you get too excited, know that Quick Share to Apple devices is not available on every Android device. Google's own support page lists very specific requirements. For Pixel phones, the feature works on the Pixel 8a and every model that came after it. On Samsung phones, you need a Galaxy S24 series device or newer, or any foldable released after the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Chinese brands are also in the mix. OnePlus, OPPO, vivo, and HONOR have select phones that support Quick Share to iPhones. The number of compatible devices is growing, but the Pixel Tablet is now the first tablet to join the list.

Interestingly, Google's own FAQ page still does not mention the Pixel Tablet by name. But fine print at the bottom of the page says the feature supports both “mobile devices and tablets.” So the tablet support was always possible in the software, even if the company never highlighted it.

When can Pixel Tablet owners expect this?

Google has not said when this update officially arrives for all Pixel Tablet owners. The discovery was made on a device running Android 17, which suggests the feature may be tied to that newer version of the operating system. If you own a Pixel Tablet, keep an eye out for a system update that includes Quick Share improvements.

One thing to note: the Quick Share support page is not always up to date. It does not currently list the Pixel 11 series or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, even though those phones were announced recently. So the absence of the Pixel Tablet on that page should not be taken as a sign that the feature does not exist.

What this means for the Pixel Tablet's future

The Pixel Tablet launched in 2023 to mixed reviews. Its charging speaker dock was clever, but the tablet itself felt underpowered compared to rivals from Apple and Samsung. Many users considered it a niche product for smart home control rather than a serious computing device.

This Quick Share update is a small but meaningful step toward making the Pixel Tablet more useful as an everyday device. If you already own one, you now have one less reason to reach for a cable when you need to share a file with an iPhone-wielding friend or family member.

For anyone on the fence about buying a Pixel Tablet, this change alone probably will not tip the scales. But it does show that Google has not abandoned the tablet. As more software features trickle down to the Pixel Tablet, it becomes a more compelling option — especially if you are already in the Google ecosystem.

If you are shopping for a new tablet today, you might also want to check out our list of the best phones and tablets to see how the Pixel Tablet compares with newer options. For a deeper look at how we test devices, visit our review methodology page. And for more tips on keeping your devices connected, head over to our connectivity guides.