AirDrop 101: Easily Send Content Between Nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs

what is airdrop

You can share between different operating systems (iOS to macOS, for example) or between devices using the same operating system (iOS to iOS, for instance). You can AirDrop files from any iPhone or iPad app that includes the built-in Share sheet, and 19 best ai platforms for marketers and marketing analysts in 2023 you can share to anyone and any of their devices that show up in the 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.

If you share a file with a device that’s logged in with the same Apple ID/Apple Account you’re logged in with, that device is not shown the Accept or Decline message. Since both devices are how to buy dogecola assumed to be yours, the transfer is accepted automatically. If both users have checked those settings but AirDrop still doesn’t work, try these troubleshooting tips. One advantage to AirDrop is the use of Wi-Fi to make the connection.

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Typically this is a one-time setting, but you might want to change it if, for example, you’re traveling and want to avoid roaming charges. If you’re not signed in with your Apple ID on your device, this setting will revert to Receiving Off after 10 minutes. 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 just see their name without an image. However, it’s up to developers to include AirDrop support in their apps, so not everything you download from the App Store works with AirDrop. If you tap Decline, the transfer is canceled, and the other user is notified that you declined the request.

You can select the Everyone option while using AirDrop and disable it when not in use. Use AirDrop to share and receive photos, documents and more with other Apple devices that are nearby. Often when you want to share photos with someone, you’ll dogecoin surges as reddit madness engulfs cryptocurrencies either text it or email it. While that will work, it can be much faster to just use AirDrop to send the picture(s) to them. The only requirements are that both devices are from Apple and the devices are in close proximity to one another.

  1. If you have Apple devices, AirDrop is a simple way to send content back and forth with another person — or between your devices.
  2. When someone nearby attempts to send you a file using AirDrop, you see their request as a notification, or as a message in the AirDrop window.
  3. Since both devices are assumed to be yours, the transfer is accepted automatically.
  4. Files sent through AirDrop will appear in the app that typically handles those sorts of files — i.e. photos will show up in Photos.
  5. Make sure that both devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
  6. The feature can even handle information like playlists, contact information, and locations you’ve pinned in Apple Maps.

AirDrop Depends on Your Contacts for Privacy

The name basically means to send or ‘drop’ files over the air from one device to another. If you tap Accept, the file is saved to your device and opened in the appropriate app. For example, accepting a transfer of images over AirDrop saves the photos to your phone and opens the images in the Photos app, URLs launch in the Safari browser, and so on. AirDrop must be selected in a Finder window sidebar to be able to transfer files. Furthermore, files are not automatically accepted, but instead give a prompt asking to receive or decline the file sent.

When someone shares something with you using AirDrop, you see an alert. If you prefer to control/right-click on your Mac, you can access AirDrop that way as well. Newer iPhones with iOS 18 can send and receive texts using satellites.

Transfer between a Mac and an iOS device

Instructions apply to devices running iOS 7 and later, iPadOS, and OS X Mountain Lion (10.7) and up. If they’re not in your Contacts, you’ll see just their name without an image. When someone shares something with you using AirDrop, you’ll see an alert. You can also AirDrop text from Notes to someone else’s iPad or iPhone. The feature can even handle information like playlists, contact information, and locations you’ve pinned in Apple Maps. If you’re not signed in with your Apple ID on your device, this setting reverts to Receiving Off after 10 minutes.

what is airdrop

Send an item with AirDrop

Just make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID. You can disable it, only enable AirDrop for people in your contacts (this is the default), or allow AirDrop for everyone. By default, AirDrop only makes you discoverable to people who are in your contacts list.

A Waiting message displays as the file is sending, a Sending message displays during the transfer, and a Sent message appears after the file is accepted and delivered. If the other user declines your AirDrop request, a red Declined message appears instead. Each device creates a firewall around the connection and files are sent encrypted, which actually makes it safer than transferring via email. AirDrop is a feature in iOS and macOS that lets physically close Mac and iOS devices share files wirelessly with one another with a minimum of fuss.

People won’t be able to see your name if you’re nearby, and they won’t be able to send anything to you. AirDrop is best for sharing a small selection of files between devices. If you want to share many files between your Mac and other Apple devices, see Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. For example, if you use AirDrop to send a photo from the Photos app, it’s saved in the Photos app on the other device.

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