AirDrop lets you quickly and easily transfer files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
It uses Bluetooth LE to broadcast, discover, and negotiate connections, and point-to-point Wi-Fi to transfer data. That makes it fast, power-efficient, and secure! When you're using AirDrop between iPhones and iPads, you can AirDrop photos, videos, contacts, Passbook passes, Voice Memos, Map locations, and any and everything else that appears on a Share sheet.
AirDrop lets you choose between enabling it for just your contacts or for everyone. "Contacts" requires more work, as you and the person you want to AirDrop with both have to be logged into iCloud and be in each other's Contacts. "Everyone" is easier but means random people you don't know can send you prank AirDrops.
Tap Contacts Only or Everyone to turn AirDrop on.
How to AirDrop files from your iPhone or iPad
You can AirDrop files from any iPhone or iPad app that includes the built-in Share sheet, and you can share to anyone and any of their devices that show up in the Share sheet.
Tap the person or device you want to share to.
Note: If you choose Contacts Only, make sure you're logged into iCloud. Apple won't share your contacts with another device to determine if there's a match; it'll check both your iCloud accounts instead. Then, if there is a match, it'll show you your own version of the contact on your own device. That way, no data gets leaked.
If you choose Everyone, even though you are highly visible to other devices, you will always be prompted when someone is trying to share files with you through AirDrop. If you don't recognize the sender, or do not want to receive the files, you can always choose not to accept them. Files sent through AirDrop will appear in the app that typically handles those sorts of files — i.e. photos will show up in Photos.
If you want to not just turn off AirDrop but block it completely, for example on your child's iPhone or iPad, you can use restrictions — also known as parental controls. Tap on Enable Restrictions at the top if you don't already have them turned on. If you do, skip down to step 6.
Switch AirDrop to Off.
How to troubleshoot AirDrop on iPhone and iPhone
AirDrop feels miraculous when it's working, frustrating when it's not. If you're having trouble with AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad, here are some fixes:
How to turn on (or off) AirDrop for Mac
AirDrop lets you choose between enabling it for just your contacts or for everyone. "Contacts" requires more work, as you and the person you want to AirDrop with both have to be logged into iCloud and be in each other's Contacts. "Everyone" is easier but means random people you don't know can send you prank AirDrops.
If you want to grab some files and quickly throw them into AirDrop, the fastest way to do it is using drag and drop.
If you prefer to control/right-click on your Mac, you can access AirDrop that way as well.
You can also AirDrop files using the Share sheet on macOS, including from the Finder and Safari.
How to troubleshoot AirDrop on on Mac
If contacts don't show up in the AirDrop interface, try these solutions, in order:
Article Produced By
Rene Ritchie
and
Cella Lao Rousseau
