iOS 26 Opens Door for Third-Party AirDrop Alternatives on iPhones

Apple's new API on iOS 26 could let apps on your iPhone discover nearby devices for seamless data transfers. The API is currently rolling out for developers, which they can leverage to add new experiences to the existing apps or make it easier to develop file-sharing apps on iOS.

Folks over at iHelpBR  were the first to spot Apple's new Wi-Fi Aware feature. The premise of the same is that it allows third-party applications to communicate over an end-to-end Wi-Fi connection without needing an internet connection, much like how AirDrop works between two iPhones.

Apple essentially seems to be opening the core functionality of AirDrop, expanding it to other apps. Thanks to this, apps like LocalSend could see major improvements since device discovery would no longer be an issue. It'd make transferring files more effortless by making discovering other devices easier for your iPhone, even if the other devices are not on the same network.

As the new API supports low-latency peer-to-peer communication, third party file transfer apps on iOS could get a major speed boost alongside better user experience with smoother background transfers. This could finally give iPhone users the true AirDrop alternative.

This could also mean that, theoretically, Google might look into developing Quick Share for iPhones. Although, that still largely depends on if Apple might restrict background discovery for the feature or if it requires explicit location and local network permissions. Commenting on the feature, Apple's Wi-Fi engineer said:

With Wi-Fi Aware, you can unlock new experiences and allow your apps to seamlessly discover and connect to nearby devices. Some examples include: media streaming, high-speed file transfer, accessory control, screen sharing, and if needed, you can do all of these simultaneously.

— Swetank Saha, Wi-Fi Engineer at Apple

For more information about the API, Apple released a dedicated video explaining Wi-Fi Aware during WWDC 2025. In the video, Apple says the API can be used to transfer large files and even control accessories with low latency.

AirDrop is still one of Android's big challenges, so it's surprising to see Apple come up with Wi-Fi aware. However, the true reason could be the European Union. The EU has previously condemned Apple about the lacking interoperability, and this could very well be the reason the Cupertino giant has created Wi-Fi Aware.