How to Use AirDrop

AirDrop is a neat little trick you can use to quickly and easily share files of all kinds between Apple devices, including photos, videos, contacts, map location, and more. The feature uses Bluetooth technology to locate nearby compatible devices and helps you share data over Wi-Fi. Here's how to use AirDrop on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Activate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

The first thing you need to do is make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both enabled on your device (and personal hotspot is turned off). You can check the status of these services in the Control Center of your iOS device by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (swipe up from the bottom for older iPhones). Mac users can check both services at the Menu Bar in the upper-right corner of the screen. You don't have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network; AirDrop just uses the signal to transfer data.

Turn on AirDrop in iOS

Make sure AirDrop is turned on for your device so you can send and receive files with other people. Navigate to Settings > General > AirDrop to turn it on. You can choose to enable the service to work with just your contacts or with everyone who might be nearby.

In order to use the Contacts Only option, both devices must be registered with iCloud, and each user must be in the other's contacts. The Everyone option may sound insecure. But AirDrop lets you choose whether or not to accept a file from someone, so you can always block the transfer. Receiving Off means no one can send you anything through AirDrop.

Select AirDrop Destination

If you want to share a file via your iPhone or iPad, just open it in the appropriate app and tap the Share icon. You will then see a list of nearby people able to receive the file. Choose the person you want to share with, and he or she receives a notification. Once the file is on that person's device, AirDrop will tell you that it has reached its destination. The sent file then automatically appears in the appropriate app.

Restrict AirDrop on iOS

You can block AirDrop so a child or someone not authorized to use your device cannot share files. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to on. Then tap Allowed Apps and toggle AirDrop to off.

Turn On AirDrop on Mac

MacOS lets you interact with AirDrop from any window in Finder. Open Finder and click AirDrop on the side navigation panel. The service will immediately scan for nearby devices, but you can choose who you want to be able to see you. Make sure this option is set to either Contacts Only or Everyone and you're good to go.

To share between a Mac and iOS device, your Mac has to be from 2012 or later (excluding the mid-2012 Mac Pro) and running OS X Yosemite or later. The iOS device needs to be running iOS 7 or later.

How to AirDrop Files on Mac

There are different ways to send files using AirDrop on a Mac. The easiest method is to simply drag and drop the file into the AirDrop window or the name on the navigation bar. You can also right-click and choose Share > AirDrop before selecting the person. Just like on iOS, you can also tap the Share button on a file, select AirDrop, and pick the destination.

Turn Off AirDrop on Mac

Turn off AirDrop the same way you turned it on. Go to Finder > AirDrop, then select Allow me to be discovered by, and choose No One.

About Our Expert

Jason Cohen

Senior Editor, Help & How To

My Experience

As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.

I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.

The Technology I Use

My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it's already becoming a little long in the tooth.

My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I'm a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.

Whenever I have a second to myself, I'm probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.

Breaking down complicated and confusing processes into simplified instructions
Finding new tech problems to solve
OS-level tips and tricks

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