Google’s push to make Android file sharing more universal has taken a step forward, but not without a notable gap. Quick Share’s new cross-platform integration, which enables Android devices to share files with Apple devices via AirDrop, is now rolling out to a growing list of devices.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, however, are not part of it.
That omission stands out, especially since newer, even lower-tier Pixel models are already supported.
Supported devices expand beyond Google’s latest flagships
The feature is available across a wide range of recent Android flagships. That includes the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, as well as the more affordable Pixel 8a.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 through S26 lineup is covered, alongside foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. OEMs including Xiaomi, OnePlus, OPPO, vivo, and HONOR are also part of the rollout, though support is currently limited to select high-end models such as the Xiaomi 17T Pro and OnePlus 15.
The absence of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro is harder to explain in that context. These devices are still relatively recent and sit above the Pixel 8a in Google’s own lineup.
The missing firmware component appears to be the blocker
The limitation doesn’t appear to be purely arbitrary.
Android Authority reports that AirDrop-compatible Android devices include a specific firmware component labeled “mosey_server,” tied to the Quick Share Extension app. This file has not been found in Pixel 8 Pro firmware builds so far.
Some users have reported receiving the Quick Share Extension app on the Pixel 8 Pro, suggesting partial rollout or backend preparation. But without the “mosey_server” component, the feature remains non-functional.
That points to a deeper integration requirement rather than a simple app-level toggle.
Context around Google’s rollout strategy
Google has gradually been expanding Quick Share beyond its earlier Android-only scope, aiming to create a more seamless cross-device sharing layer. The inclusion of Apple compatibility marks a significant shift, even if implementation details remain opaque.
The device list suggests Google is prioritizing newer hardware and select partnerships. The Pixel 8a’s inclusion complicates that theory, though it may ship with updated firmware branches aligned with newer Pixels.
Another possibility is that this feature depends on updated low-level components introduced with Tensor G4 and later chipsets, leaving Tensor G3-based devices like the Pixel 8 series in a transitional position.
What it means for Pixel 8 users
For now, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners are left without access to one of Android’s more ambitious interoperability features.
The presence of the Quick Share Extension app on some units hints that support could still arrive through a firmware update. But until the missing component appears, functionality is effectively blocked.
That leaves an unusual split in Google’s own lineup, where a midrange device gains a feature that its flagship counterpart lacks.
Whether this is a temporary delay or a longer-term limitation may depend on how tightly Google has tied the feature to newer firmware layers—and whether it chooses to backport them.
