Google’s upcoming Quick Share feature for iPhones will not work the same way as Android-to-Android transfers, according to a new app teardown.
A beta version of Google Play Services shows that Android users will need to generate a QR code for iPhone owners to scan in order to receive files.
But unlike Android-to-Android sharing, which works offline, the files sent to iPhones will first be encrypted and uploaded to Google’s servers. They will stay there for 24 hours so the iPhone user can download them.
This system means an active internet connection is required for any Android-to-iPhone transfer. Users will also need to sign in to a Google account to share files. The change makes Quick Share less convenient in areas without Wi-Fi or mobile data, such as airplanes or remote locations.
The method is similar to Samsung’s Quick Share service, which also uses cloud uploads and QR codes for long-distance transfers. Google has not yet announced when Quick Share for iPhone will officially launch.
