Ever since Quick Share's inception in 2024, it has slowly turned into the most reliable tool for Android and Windows PCs to efforlessly share files and data. The key functionaity of the feature has largely remained unchanged for the past two years. However, recent reports indicate a significant overhaul as to how Quick Share functions in 2026.
Google could permanently limit Quick Share device visibility
The folks over at Android Authority noticed a subtle change made to Quick Share as part of the Google Play Services update to version 26.06.31 beta. Alleged to be an internal server-side change, the new update has removed the previously visible to Everyone option inside the Quick Share settings page.
As it is clear from the above image, instead of the usual four visibility options, the new yet-to-go-official Quick Share page only contains three new toggles. It has completely removed the phones ability to stay permanently visible to nearby devices.
Users will either be able to send and receive media and data from signed-in devices, stored contacts and other devices for only 10 minutes. If true, this will bring the first major update to Quick Share in the last two years.
Even though we are not sure as to why Google is eliminating the permanent visibility option, it could be due to two large reasons. The first is for privacy and security. Allowing permanent Quick Share visibility can expose Android devices to threats and vulnerabilities every time Bluetooth is toggled on.
Bad actors can exploit the file sharing network to send malware, corrupt data and even gain remote access to smartphones. Hence, to combat this, we believe Google is making Quick Share visibility an intentional act. Everytime users will need to share or receive data, they will need to manually decide their phone's visibiliy and outside of known networks, it will only stay visible for 10 minutues, limiting the duration of exposure.
Also, the only 10 minute visibility duration brings Quick Share on par with Apple's AirDrop. With AirDrop support officially coming to Android, Google might want to bring the two wireless file sharing networks in sync to avoid compatibility issues. That said, we can see the first glimpse of the revamped Quick Share menu with future Galaxy smartphones. However, it is still unclear if this will be part of a feature update or Android 17.
