AirDrop is a file transfer system that allows you to share files between Apple devices. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transfer files over the air.
You can use AirDrop to share documents, photos, videos, audios, and other files from an iPhone to another. It works best when you and the recipient have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
How to Turn on AirDrop
AirDrop is a feature that lets you quickly and easily transfer photos, files, contacts, playlists, locations on Apple Maps and links to websites from an iPhone or Mac to another Apple device. It’s available on iPhones and iPads running iOS 7 or later, as well as on Macs and MacBooks released in 2012 or later running at least OS X Yosemite.
To use AirDrop, the sending and receiving devices must be in range of one another, and both should have Bluetooth turned on. Ideally, the two devices should be within 30 feet of one another for the transfer to work.
The process of transferring files with AirDrop is similar to how you would send them with email. Firstly, you need to open the file on your iPhone or Mac and tap the Share button. You should then see a list of all the devices that are in range, as well as a few other icons for apps that can send the file.
Next, you should tap the AirDrop icon. It looks like a box with an arrow pointing up, and is usually located in a row alongside the other icons for the various apps you can use on your device.
If the icon isn’t there, you may have to go into Settings on your phone or computer and check if AirDrop is enabled. If it isn’t, try turning it on again.
Once you’ve done that, you can share any file between your Apple devices. The process is pretty simple, as long as you’re in range of another Apple device and have both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
In addition, you should also make sure that the recipient of the file is in range and has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on their device as well. If they have Personal Hotspot on, this could disrupt the connection between the two devices, so turn it off before sharing anything with them.
You can also turn on AirDrop for everyone, or you can restrict it to specific people by choosing “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off”. This will allow your contacts to send you files through AirDrop, but you won’t receive anything back.
Turning on AirDrop for Everyone
AirDrop is a great way to transfer files from one Apple device to another, and it works across all iOS and Mac devices. It’s especially handy if you’re sharing files with friends or family who don’t have an Apple device, or if you want to send big files that are too big for email.
But before you start sending anything, there are a few things to remember. First, you’ll need to make sure that the person you’re sending to has AirDrop enabled. They also need to be within range of your device. This means they need to be in the same Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range as your iPhone or Mac.
If they’re not, you won’t be able to transfer files. In addition, they may not have an iCloud account and the file won’t show up in your iCloud folder.
This might be a temporary issue, so you should try resetting both of your Apple devices to see if it helps. After that, you can start using AirDrop again to send files.
To turn on AirDrop, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of an older iPhone or swiping down from the top-right on an iPhone X or later. Then tap and hold the WiFi button, select AirDrop, and choose who can send files to your iPhone.
Once you’ve done that, your iPhone or iPad will start detecting other Apple devices nearby and allowing them to share files with you. This can save you a lot of time, and it’s much faster than emailing!
However, if you’re trying to use AirDrop and you get a message that says it’s “not working” or something similar, it might be that the other person isn’t in your contact list on their iPhone or iPad. If this is the case, you can use their Contacts app to see if they have your email address or mobile number in there.
If they don’t, ask them to change their AirDrop setting to either Contacts Only or Everyone. That way, you can send them files even if their settings are set to Contacts Only or Receiving Off.
The easiest way to do this is to go into the Control Center and tap Allowed Apps. Then, enter a Screen Time passcode.
You’ll also need to turn on Bluetooth. That’s because AirDrop uses Bluetooth to create a WiFi network between your Apple devices, so it needs to be on and connected.
Turning on AirDrop for Contacts Only
AirDrop is an easy way to transfer files and photographs from one iPhone, iPad or Mac to another. It works by connecting via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks, making it possible to share documents, photos and webpages instantly between devices.
It works for Apple devices running iOS 8 and later. To use AirDrop on your iOS device, simply tap the Share icon in any app and then choose a nearby Apple device to receive the file. If they accept the file, it will automatically appear in their AirDrop folder on their device.
In addition to transferring files between Apple devices, you can also use AirDrop to securely share app and website passwords with others using an iPhone, iPad or Mac. See Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop on iPhone, iPad or Mac for more information.
For most users, the default option for AirDrop on an iPhone is to allow all people in your contact list to send you files and photos. This is a good option for most situations, as it can help prevent spam or unsolicited requests from strangers.
However, this is not always the best way to use AirDrop. If you’re concerned about your privacy, you can set AirDrop to Contacts Only on the receiving iPhone. This will only allow people in your contacts to send you files, but they won’t be able to see the contents of those files unless they have been saved to their Apple ID.
Even with this limitation, it’s still a good idea to keep AirDrop enabled on your iPhone because it’s a great way to share files between your devices. You’ll get notifications for every request you accept, and you can choose to decline them as you see fit.
The downside to setting up AirDrop for Contacts Only is that it will only work if both your devices are signed into your iCloud account and the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID is stored somewhere in your Contacts app on your receiving device. In addition, if you’re in public, this can cause you to receive unsolicited pictures and videos that you have no interest in.
You can quickly change this setting from anywhere in iOS that Control Center is usable by tapping on the AirDrop text, then selecting Contacts Only or Everyone. Once you’ve done that, you can swipe out of Control Center to preserve the new settings.