Android Smartphones May Soon Get AirDrop-Like Tap to Share Feature
Android users could soon enjoy a faster and easier way to share files. A new tap-based sharing feature, similar to Apple’s AirDrop, is expected to arrive later this year.
The upcoming feature will build upon Google’s Quick Share tool. Users will simply bring two Android phones close together to start file transfer. This will reduce the need for manual selection and pairing steps.
Moreover, the feature may use NFC technology as a trigger. The actual file transfer will then happen smoothly in the background. This will make sharing files quicker and more convenient.
According to reports, the feature has been spotted in multiple software teardowns. Early versions appeared as an experimental option in Samsung’s One UI 8.5. Recent builds of One UI 9 show a clearer version named “Tap to Share.”
Furthermore, Google Play Services contain references to an internal system called “Gesture Exchange.” It started with contact sharing and now supports file transfers as well. Android 17 beta versions also mention a system-level service called “TapToShare.”
This suggests the feature will not be limited to Samsung devices. It may become available across many Android brands. Samsung and Google are reportedly working together to make the experience more seamless.
Samsung has already started rolling out a similar file-sharing feature in South Korea. This feature does not include the tap gesture and is available on its Galaxy S26 series. The company plans to expand this feature to more regions and devices in the coming months.
Overall, this new tap-to-share capability represents a significant upgrade for the Android ecosystem. It aims to make file sharing faster, simpler, and more user-friendly.