Apple won't like this! Google breaks down barriers between Android and iPhone with a single app

Imagine the day when you can finally send a photo from an Android to an iPhone as easily as between two Androids (or iPhones). Google has been working on this for a year, but according to the latest findings, it won’t be as straightforward as we might expect. An analysis of the code from the latest Google Play Services beta version (25.34.31) has revealed an interesting catch.

What the code analysis revealed

During the app analysis, developers discovered text strings that unequivocally confirm work on Quick Share for iOS. Most interestingly, a message will be displayed to users when attempting to share: “To share end-to-end encrypted files with an iPhone and other devices, please sign in first”. Yes, you read that correctly – you will need to sign in.

This is quite a paradox. When you send files between two Android devices via Quick Share, you don’t need to sign in. It just works. So why is Google introducing this restriction for communication with iPhones?

Technical mysteries and speculations

There are several theories as to why Google chose this path. The most probable explanation relates to device visibility settings. Quick Share allows limiting visibility only to your contacts, which requires signing in. However, this doesn’t explain why the same requirement doesn’t apply to Android devices.

The second possibility is even more interesting – Quick Share on iPhone might require a Google account. This would mean that iPhone owners would need to have a Google app installed and be signed in to it. This is not entirely nonsensical, of course, as many iPhone users already have some Google app – be it Gmail, Maps, or YouTube.

Comparison with competition shows an advantage

Current cross-platform sharing solutions are fragmented and impractical. OPPO has its O Plus Connect app, but it only works with OPPO and OnePlus phones. Samsung, on the other hand, pushes its Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share), but that also primarily targets its own ecosystem.

If Google truly enables Quick Share for iOS, it will be the first universal solution that connects virtually all Android phones with iPhones. iPhone owners will download one app and be able to receive files from anyone with an Android. This is a huge step forward.

When can we expect it?

The fact that the code is already partially integrated into the Google Play Services beta version suggests that a release is approaching. Google has been working on the feature since at least the end of last year, which is quite a long time for them. For comparison, Xiaomi released its InterConnectivity for iOS within a few months of its announcement.

Would you appreciate Quick Share working with iOS?

Source: AndroidAuthority