What is AirDrop?


If you're not already using AirDrop on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad, you should start.


AirDrop lets you transfer any kind of file — photos, videos, phone contacts, and even Map locations — from one person or device to another.

Use AirDrop on your Mac

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations, and more to a nearby Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.


Share content with AirDrop

  1. Open the file that you want to send, then click Share buttonShare button in the app window. Or Control-click the file in the Finder, then choose Share from the shortcut menu.
  2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing options listed.
  3. Choose a recipient from the AirDrop sheet:
    AirDrop sheet in Finder window


Or open an AirDrop window, then drag files to the recipient:

  1. Select AirDrop in the sidebar of a Finder window. Or choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar. 
  2. The AirDrop window shows nearby AirDrop users. Drag one or more documents, photos, or other files to the recipient shown in the window.
    AirDrop window in the Finder

You can also share content from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.



Receive content with AirDrop

When someone nearby attempts to send you files using AirDrop, you see their request as a notification, or as a message in the AirDrop window. Click Accept to save the files to your Downloads folder.

H



If you can't see the other device in AirDrop

Make sure that your devices meet these requirements:

  • Both devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
  • Each Mac was introduced in 2012 or later (excluding the 2012 Mac Pro) and is using OS X Yosemite or later. To find out, choose Apple menu  > About This Mac. 
  • Each iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is using iOS 7 or later, with Personal Hotspot turned off.

Make sure that your devices can receive AirDrop requests:

  • Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder, then check the ”Allow me to be discovered by” setting in the AirDrop window. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch have a similar setting. If set to receive from Contacts Only, both devices must be signed in to iCloud, and the email address or phone number associated with the sender's Apple ID must be in the Contacts app of the receiving device. 
  • Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy. Click the Firewall tab, then click the lock  and enter your administrator password when prompted. Click Firewall Options, then deselect “Block all incoming connections.”


How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


Use AirDrop to share and receive photos, documents, and more with other Apple devices that are nearby.


Before you begin

  • Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
  • Check that you and the person you're sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
  • Check if the person you're sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. If they do, and you’re in their Contacts, they need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
  • If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

You can put your AirDrop receiving setting to Contacts Only or Receiving Off at any time to control who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop.

How to use AirDrop

  1. Open an app, tap Share or the Share button . If you share a photo from the Photos app, you can swipe left or right and select multiple photos.
  2. Tap the AirDrop user* that you want to share with. Or you can use AirDrop between your own Apple devices. Don’t see the AirDrop user or your other device? Learn what to do.

* If the person you're sharing content with is in your Contacts, you'll see an image with their name. If they're not in your Contacts, you'll see just their name without an image.


 

How to accept AirDrop

When someone shares something with you using AirDrop, you see an alert with a preview. You can tap Accept or Decline.

If you tap Accept, the AirDrop will come through within the same app it was sent from. For example, photos appear in the Photos app and websites open in Safari. App links open in the App Store so you can download or purchase the app.

If you AirDrop something to yourself, like a photo from your iPhone to your Mac, you won't see an option to Accept or Decline — it'll automatically get sent to your device. Just make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID.


How to adjust AirDrop settings

To choose who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop:

  1. Go to Settings, tap General.
  2. Tap AirDrop, then choose an option.

You can also set your AirDrop options in Control Center. Here's how:

  1. On iPhone X or later, or an iPad with iOS 12 or later or iPadOS, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. On iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
  2. Press firmly or touch and hold the network settings card in the upper-left corner.
  3. Touch and hold the AirDrop button , then choose one of these options:
    • Receiving Off: You won't receive AirDrop requests. 
    • Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
    • Everyone: All nearby Apple devices using AirDrop can see your device.

If you see Receiving Off and can't tap to change it:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Tap Allowed Apps and make sure that AirDrop is turned on.