(Credit: René Ramos; Apple)
Need a quick and easy way to send files to people? Those with Apple devices can tap into AirDrop, which will beam photos and documents between devices with just a tap. It's easy to use, but also abuse, as some unsuspecting airline passengers found out in 2022. Here's how to use AirDrop to send and receive files, but also customize the feature to maximize its usefulness and keep unwanted pics at bay.
What Is AirDrop?
AirDrop is Apple's proprietary wireless service that uses Bluetooth technology to locate nearby compatible devices and then send data—photos, videos, files, contacts, map location, and more—using a Wi-Fi signal.
Initially released in 2011, the technology has been through several notable changes over the years. For instance, the protocol for Mac and iOS was once separate, and therefore incompatible, but it's now useable between many different iPhone, iPad, and Mac models. You could also only send files when you were within close proximity, but the iOS 17.1 update now lets a transfer continue, even out of Wi-Fi range.
The advantage to using this technology is that AirDrop is faster and more secure than many alternatives. It locates nearby recipients automatically, so there's no need to connect devices. And by doing the transfer over Wi-Fi, files move from one device to another faster than they would over Bluetooth or NFC. Transfers are protected by the TLS protocol, which is also used to secure HTTPS webpages.
How to Turn on AirDrop (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Before AirDrop can be used to transfer data, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your device. You don't need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network; AirDrop only uses the signal to transfer the data. Both parties, however, must make themselves discoverable via AirDrop. To do this, go to Settings > General > AirDrop on iPhone or iPad. On a Mac, open Finder and click the AirDrop tab, then use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the window.
(Credit:PCMag/Apple)To send or receive data, your device must be set to Contacts Only or Everyone. 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.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)How to Turn Off AirDrop
If you don't want random people sending you unsolicited photos, set AirDrop to Receiving Off (or No One on Mac). This will keep your device hidden from those around you. Setting it to Contacts Only will also prevent strangers from sending you stuff.
You can block AirDrop through Apple's Screen Time feature 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.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)How to Change Your AirDrop Name
When you make your device discoverable to others, they can see your name among their nearby devices. By default, this will be your name and the device, but you can change that if it's too revealing to strangers or you have multiple devices and want to keep things straight. On a mobile device, open the Contacts app and tap your contact card. Choose Edit and change how your name is listed in the name fields, then tap Done.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)Those with macOS Ventura or higher should open System Settings > General > Sharing, then click Edit under the Local hostname entry to make the change. For older versions of macOS, go to System Preferences > Sharing, then change Computer Name to something more desirable.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)How to AirDrop Photos, Videos, and Files
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)When you're ready to share something, open to the content and tap the Share button. You may see an AirDrop destination in the quick-share section if it's a device using the same Apple account. Select AirDrop from the menu to see a list of nearby people able to receive the file. iPhone users in your Contacts are listed under People, nearby iPad and Macs will be under Devices, and those nearby but not in your contacts are under Other People.
If both users are on iPhone 11 or higher, pointing your devices toward each other will allow the transfer to take place. Otherwise, choose the person you want to share with, and they will receive a notification to accept the file. They can then accept or deny the transfer request. Those running iOS 17 or higher can also use the NameDrop proximity feature to "tap" devices and transfer files.
The sent file then automatically appears in the appropriate app for them—photos go in the Photos app, files go in the Files app. Once the content is on that person's device, AirDrop will tell you that it has reached its destination.
How to AirDrop From iPhone to Mac
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)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. There are different ways to send files using AirDrop on a Mac.
Just like on iPhone, you can tap the Share button on a file, select AirDrop, and pick the person (or right-click and choose Share > AirDrop). Select the contact from the small AirDrop window that appears, then a request will be sent to the recipient. An easier option may be to open the AirDrop window and simply drag the file onto your contact of choice. A request will then be sent to the receiving device.
AirDrop Not Working? Try These Fixes
AirDrop is simple to use, but sometimes there's an issue you just can't quite work out. If the feature isn't cooperating, here are a few fixes that may get things moving:
- Turn On Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. You can control these features right from the Control Center.
- Turn Off Hotspots: If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, you must turn it off for the transfer to work.
- Stay Nearby: Since it uses Wi-Fi to make the transfer, AirDrop should connect through walls and other obstacles. However, it is intended for close-range communications, so make sure you are within 30 feet of the other device. Even now that transfers can finish over the internet, the initial link must happen in range.
- Keep it Small: Technically, there's no file transfer limit for AirDrop, but the larger the file the longer the transfer will take. If a transfer is taking forever, you may want to slim down whatever you're sending.
- Contacts Only: If the recipient has set AirDrop to receive from Contacts Only, both devices must be signed into iCloud, and your Apple account email or phone number must be in your contact card. Otherwise, have the recipient set receiving to Everyone.
- Unblock Firewall: If you can't receive transfers to your Mac, it may be an issue with the firewall. In macOS Ventura or higher, open System Settings > Network > Firewall and disable the feature. For older versions, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall > Firewall Options and uncheck Block all incoming connections.