The Galaxy A56 AirDrop option has finally arrived. With One UI 9, Samsung’s mid-range phone can now swap files with iPhones, iPads and Macs through Quick Share. You switch it on in settings, and the Apple device has to be set to be visible.
Here’s the short version of who gets it, how to turn it on, and what to expect.
Quick facts:
- Needs the One UI 9 update on your Galaxy A56 or A57.
- The toggle is called “Share with Apple devices” in Quick Share settings.
- Samsung first shipped the feature on the Galaxy S26 series in March 2026.
- Samsung hasn’t said which other Galaxy A phones or tablets will follow.
If you only want the steps, skip to the setup section below.
Why the Galaxy A56 AirDrop news matters for mid-range owners
Cross-platform sharing used to be a flagship perk. Mixed households, with one Android phone and one iPhone, often fell back to messaging apps that squash photo quality.
According to gHacks, Galaxy A56 owners noticed the option was missing after One UI 8.5. One UI 9 adds it, and the Galaxy A57 got One UI 9 last week.
So a phone in the mid-range tier now does something that once needed a top-end Galaxy or a recent Pixel. That’s a real quality-of-life upgrade for the price.
Google took a similar path first. It made Quick Share work with AirDrop on Pixel 10 phones in late 2025, then widened it to more Pixels and said other Android makers would follow. Samsung is now doing exactly that, one tier at a time.
For everyday users, the practical gain is simple. Photos, videos and documents can move at full quality without a cable, a cloud link or a chat app in the middle.
Which Galaxy phones can share with Apple devices?
Based on the gHacks report, the list now covers a wide spread of Samsung hardware. The table groups it by family.
| Galaxy family | Models listed |
|---|---|
| S26 series | Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra |
| S25 series | Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 FE |
| S24 series | Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra |
| Foldables | Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6 |
| A series | Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A57 |
Not on the list yet? Don’t panic. Samsung hasn’t confirmed other A-series models, so a missing toggle on a different phone doesn’t mean a bug.
If you own a newer phone from the same line, our guides on the Galaxy A37 One UI 9 update and the Galaxy S26 One UI 9 rollout show how Samsung is staging this release.
How to turn on Galaxy A56 AirDrop in Quick Share
Setup takes about a minute once One UI 9 is installed. Follow these steps in order.
- Install the One UI 9 update on your Galaxy.
- Open Settings, then Connected devices, then Quick Share.
- Turn on “Share with Apple devices”.
On some Galaxy models the toggle is already on. On others you have to flip it yourself, so check it once.
Sending a file to an iPhone, iPad or Mac
Set AirDrop on the Apple device to Everyone. Then pick the file on your Galaxy, tap Share, choose Quick Share and select the Apple device when it appears.
Receiving a file from an Apple device
Open Quick Share on the Galaxy so your phone can be found. Then send from the iPhone through AirDrop as usual and accept the prompt.
Both sides confirm the pairing and the transfer prompt before anything moves. Depending on your setting, a device may only stay discoverable for a short time.
What can go wrong: slower transfers and Wi-Fi drops
The feature works, but it isn’t perfect. gHacks notes two catches worth knowing before you send a big video.
- Your phone may briefly drop its Wi-Fi connection while it searches for Apple devices or sends files to them.
- Transfers can be slower than regular Quick Share between two Galaxy phones.
The Wi-Fi blip matters if you’re mid-call or streaming. Finish that first, then share.
Availability can also depend on your software region, Quick Share app version and Google Play services version. If the toggle is missing after updating, check for app updates before blaming the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Galaxy A56 support AirDrop?
Yes, once it’s running One UI 9. The option appears in Quick Share as “Share with Apple devices”.
Why can’t I see the Share with Apple devices toggle?
You may not have One UI 9 yet, or your region, Quick Share version or Google Play services version may not support it. Update all three and look again.
Do I need to install anything on the iPhone?
No. You just set AirDrop to Everyone on the iPhone, iPad or Mac when you want to send to it.
Will other Galaxy A phones get it?
Samsung hasn’t said. It has only confirmed the A56 and A57 so far, so treat other models as unannounced.
Is Galaxy A56 AirDrop as fast as Quick Share between Galaxy phones?
Not always. Transfers to Apple devices may be slower than regular Quick Share.
Our take: if you have an iPhone-owning partner, parent or friend, install One UI 9 and enable this today. Keep the visibility setting on Everyone only while you’re actually sending, then switch it back so strangers can’t see you.
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