How To Use Apple Airdrop On Your iPhone, iPad, And Mac

Timothy Mark
Timothy Mark - Writer & Editor
7 Min Read
Apple AirDrop

With your device, you can do anything, from sharing files to reading the news and to sharing interesting content online.

Talking about sharing content. We tend to look for the simplest way to share files locally when we are closer to an individual. In this guide, we’ll show you how to use Apple Airdrop.

You could save your photos online or share a link via email, or even go as far as uploading a day-long video on the cloud, just for a family member nearby to see.

But that’s just a long road, and it takes a lot of processes, but with Apple AirDrop you could do all that with just a few clicks.

For Apple users, they got it, and this has been one of the most important features in the device.

The feature allows users to share photos, videos, locations, audio, or document from one device to another. The Apple AirDrop feature is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

READ ALSO: How to know if an iPhone is refurbished, new, or a replacement

How To Use Apple AirDrop On iPhone And iPad

Want to use Apple Airdrop; there are just a few things you should be aware of. For iPhone and iPad devices, there are requirements the device needs to meet before you can use Airdrop. 

Before You Start Using AirDrop Make Sure

  • The person you’re sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range,
  • both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on, and
  • the two devices must be running iOS 7 or later 

For Apple AirDrop to work, you’ll have to check if the recipient AirDrop is set to receive from Everyone. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to change the settings to Everyone.

To change your AirDrop settings. Go to Settings > General > AirDrop, then choose an option.

Receiving Off

If you choose the “Receiving Off ” option, you won’t be able to receive any AirDrop requests.

You will still be able to send files to others but wouldn’t be able to receive files except you select another option.

Contacts Only

If you choose the “Contacts Only” AirDrop option, you will only be shown to your contacts. Other users won’t be able to send you files.

Everyone

If you select the “Everyone” option, any person within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range can see your device and be able to send files to you.

You can also set your AirDrop options in your device Control Center.

The iPhone Control Center
iOS Control Center

On iPhone X or newer, or iPadOS, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen to open your device Control Center.

While on iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

iOS network settings
iPhone network settings card

Touch and hold the network settings card. Once the network settings card is open touch and holds the AirDrop button, then choose one of the three options.

AirDrop three option
AirDrop settings

Read more

How To Use Apple AirDrop

To send files, photos, videos using AirDrop — first select the content you want to share and tap on the share button. 

You’ll see a menu that displays different sharing options, choose the AirDrop share option. There, you will see available devices you can drop to. Tap the AirDrop user that you want to share with.

Share menu with AirDrop Share option
Share menu with AirDrop Share option

Make sure the person you’re sharing the content with is nearby and with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.

How To Accept AirDrop

Accepting AirDrop request. You can Accept or Decline. When content is shared with you using AirDrop, a preview will show on your device asking you to Accept or Decline the request.

Accept or Decline the request
Accept or Decline the request

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.

ALSO READ: Is 4GB RAM Enough For MacBook Air/Pro? See This Before Any Purchase

How To Use Apple AirDrop On Mac Computer

With Apple AirDrop you can share photos, videos, files from Mac to Mac, or between a Mac and an iOS device.

To share files, videos, photos on Mac, open the file that you want to send, then click the share button in the app window.

Choose AirDrop from the sharing option, listed in the menu. Select the user from the AirDrop sheet in the Finder window and share.

Using Finder windows

Open the Finder window, click AirDrop and your computer will begin searching for any nearby devices using AirDrop.

Once the AirDrop finds any available nearby AirDrop user, you can then drag one or more documents, photos, video, or files to the recipient shown in the window.

As I said earlier, if you’re sending files directly to your other devices that have the same iCloud account, the files will be automatically be received. But if it’s for others, they will need to accept the share request.

For you that is a core Apple user, the AirDrop is a key player to happy sharing with your computer and other Apple devices.

With the AirDrop you’ll no longer keep sending files, notes, audio, videos, photos through email — you can always drop the content using Apple AirDrop.

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By Timothy Mark Writer & Editor
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As a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience in consumer technology, Timothy has been a dedicated author and editor at Techvocast.com since its inception. Specializing in addressing user concerns, his articles offer effective solutions for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac-related issues. Timothy's expertise also extends to crafting content about social media and various applications. Through his daily articles, he consistently aids users in overcoming their technology challenges.
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