No More Exclusivity?! Xiaomi Aims To Bridge Apple-Android Compatibility Gap

Have you ever encountered yourself in a situation where you wanted to buy a product like Apple’s HomePod or the Apple Watch, but you didn’t do it because you don’t have an iPhone? Well, we bet you’re not the only one! But maybe that is about to change, because Xiaomi is actively exploring ways to bridge the compatibility gap between Apple accessories and Android devices.

That is indeed a significant challenge given Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, but according to reports from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Xiaomi is testing support for Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod with its phones. While AirPods already function with Android, features like wear detection and multi-point connectivity are absent. The Apple Watch and HomePod currently require an iPhone for initial setup, presenting a greater technical hurdle.

Xiaomi’s efforts could face significant obstacles, including technical challenges and potential resistance from Apple—Past attempts to bridge this gap, such as Beeper Mini’s iMessage solution for Android, were blocked by Apple. Despite these barriers, achieving Apple Watch compatibility with Android would be groundbreaking, potentially encouraging other Android manufacturers to pursue similar initiatives.

However, it raises the question of why Android users would choose an Apple Watch over Wear OS smartwatches, which are designed specifically for Android.

The Apple Watch is currently not compatible with Android, but if Xiaomi’s efforts pay off, that might change soon.

Xiaomi is not alone in pursuing interoperability. Brands like OnePlus and Oppo have introduced AirDrop-like features for file sharing with iPhones, albeit requiring additional apps. Xiaomi has gone further with its HyperOS 2, introduced with the Xiaomi 15 series. This system allows seamless file transfers between Xiaomi devices and Apple hardware, screen mirroring on MacBooks, and direct access to iWork files without conversion.

These advancements highlight Xiaomi’s commitment to enhancing cross-platform functionality; If successful, Xiaomi’s efforts could mark a turning point in reducing the ecosystem divide, potentially enabling Apple Watches to work with Android devices in the near future. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on both technical feasibility and Apple’s willingness to accommodate such changes.

Filed in General. Read more about Android, Apple, Apple Watch, HomePod and Xiaomi.