How To AirDrop Files And Photos
AirDrop is a quick and easy way to share files, photos, videos, links, and other content between Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to establish a secure connection between nearby devices. Here’s how you can AirDrop files and photos between Apple devices:
Step 1: Enable AirDrop on Both Devices
Before you start sharing files, you need to ensure that AirDrop is enabled on both the sending and receiving devices.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Control Center:
- For iPhone X and later: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- For iPhone 8 and earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Enable AirDrop:
- Press and hold the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth section in the Control Center to expand the options.
- Tap AirDrop.
- Choose one of the following options:
- Receiving Off: AirDrop is disabled.
- Contacts Only: Only people in your contacts can send files to you.
- Everyone: Anyone nearby with AirDrop can send files to you.
On Mac:
- Open Finder:
- Open a Finder window on your Mac.
- Enable AirDrop:
- In the Finder sidebar, click AirDrop. If it’s not listed, you can manually select Go > AirDrop from the Finder menu.
- AirDrop will prompt you to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if they aren’t already enabled.
- Choose Contacts Only or Everyone from the Allow me to be discovered by dropdown at the bottom of the AirDrop window.
Step 2: Share Files and Photos via AirDrop
From iPhone or iPad to Another Device:
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Select the File or Photo:
- Open the Photos app or any app that supports file sharing (e.g., Files, Safari, Notes, etc.).
- Select the photo, video, or file you want to share.
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Tap the Share Button:
- For photos: Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward) at the bottom of the screen.
- For files: Tap the share icon (a square with an upward arrow) in the app you’re using.
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Select AirDrop:
- In the sharing menu, find and tap AirDrop.
- A list of nearby devices that support AirDrop will appear. Tap the name of the device you want to send the file to.
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Send the File:
- The recipient will see a pop-up asking them to accept the file. Once they accept, the file will be transferred wirelessly.
From Mac to Another Device:
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Open Finder and Select the File:
- Locate the file, photo, or document you want to send in Finder.
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Drag and Drop to AirDrop:
- Drag the file and drop it onto the AirDrop window in Finder. Alternatively, right-click on the file, select Share, and then select AirDrop.
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Select the Recipient:
- A list of nearby devices will appear. Choose the device to which you want to send the file.
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Send the File:
- The recipient’s device will receive a prompt to accept or decline the transfer. Once accepted, the file will be sent.
Step 3: Accept the Transfer on the Receiving Device
- On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the recipient will see a prompt asking if they want to accept the file transfer.
- Tap Accept or Save on the receiving device.
- The transferred file or photo will appear in the appropriate app (e.g., Photos app, Files app, etc.) on the recipient’s device.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Ensure Devices Are Nearby: AirDrop works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so both devices need to be within about 30 feet (9 meters) of each other.
- Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth need to be enabled on both devices for AirDrop to work. Make sure both are turned on.
- Disable Do Not Disturb: Ensure that Do Not Disturb is not enabled on the receiving device, as it can prevent notifications, including AirDrop requests.
- Ensure the Devices Are Compatible: AirDrop requires iOS 7 or later, and macOS Yosemite or later. Also, AirDrop is only available on Apple devices, not on non-Apple devices.
- Check AirDrop Settings: Make sure that AirDrop is set to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone" on both devices to allow for proper sharing.
Conclusion
AirDrop is a powerful feature for quickly sharing files, photos, videos, and more between Apple devices. By ensuring that both devices have AirDrop enabled, are in close proximity, and that the recipient device is ready to accept transfers, you can easily share content across your devices without needing cables or internet connections.