How to Turn On Air Drop and Use It on an iPhone and Mac

Air Drop is a great way to instantly share files between Apple devices, such as iPhones and Macs. It transfers files wirelessly using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for wires or additional applications. This article will walk you through the process of activating and using AirDrop on an iPhone and a Mac.

What exactly is AirDrop?

AirDrop is an Apple device feature that allows users to swiftly transmit files wirelessly across devices without the necessity of cords or additional software. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to establish a peer-to-peer network between the devices and securely transfer files.

How to Enable AirDrop on iPhone

To open the Control Centre, unlock your iPhone and swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.
In the top-left area of the Control Centre, tap and hold the network settings card.
When you enlarge the network settings card, you’ll see more options, including AirDrop. To access the AirDrop settings, tap on the AirDrop icon.
Choose an AirDrop setting: Contacts Only, Everyone, or Receiving Off.

How to Use iPhone AirDrop

Open the app that contains the file you want to share.
Tap the Share button, which is typically represented by a square with an upward-pointing arrow.
Choose AirDrop from the list of sharing choices.
Your device will search for AirDrop-enabled devices in the area.
Tap on the name of the device with whom you want to share the file.
Accept the inbound file on the receiving device.
How to Enable AirDrop on a Mac
On your Mac, launch Finder.
In the left sidebar, select AirDrop.
If Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are not currently enabled, you will be prompted to enable them.
Choose an AirDrop setting: Contacts Only, Everyone, or Receiving Off.

How to utilise Mac AirDrop

Navigate to the file you want to share in Finder.
The AirDrop icon is located in the left sidebar. Drag and drop the file there.

Your device will search the area for AirDrop-capable gadgets.
Select the device you wish to share the file with by clicking on its name.
Accept the inbound file on the receiving device.
How to fix problems with AirDrop
Although AirDrop is typically a dependable and simple technology, occasionally you could run into problems. You might attempt the following troubleshooting steps:

Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both turned on, and that AirDrop is enabled on both devices.
Verify that the distance between the two devices is within the recommended range of 30 feet.
Try restarting the devices.

Privacy Concerns with Air Drop

Although AirDrop is a safe method of transferring files between devices, privacy issues can still arise. If you have AirDrop set to Everyone, anyone within range of your device can see your device name and potentially receive files from you. Set AirDrop to Contacts in order to avoid this.
optimum techniques for using AirDrop
Here are a few tips for utilising AirDrop effectively:

To prevent unauthorised transfers, only enable AirDrop when you need it and set it to Contacts Only.
When accepting files from unidentified devices, use caution because they can include malware or other hazardous content.
Check the file name and extension when receiving files to be sure it’s the one you requested.

Alternatives to Air Drop

There are a number of alternatives to AirDrop that are also useful for sharing files between Apple devices:

Dropbox is a cloud-based file-sharing programme that enables file sharing between many platforms and devices.
Google Drive is a cloud-based file-sharing service that, like Dropbox, enables you to share files among many platforms and devices.
You can send huge files up to 2GB for free with the web-based file transfer service WeTransfer.
Pushbullet is a cross-platform application that lets you communicate messages, links, and data between gadgets.

Conclusion

Once you understand how to activate and use it, AirDrop is a helpful tool for instantly transferring data between Apple devices. Just keep in mind to use AirDrop in accordance with best practises to keep your files safe.

FAQs

Is Air Drop safe to use?
Yes, file transfers between Apple devices using AirDrop are secure. However, in order to prevent unauthorised transfers, it’s crucial to set AirDrop to Contacts Only.

Can I send files from my iPhone to my Windows computer using AirDrop?
No, AirDrop is only supported by Apple products.

How can I tell if my device supports AirDrop?

All iPhone models starting with the iPhone 5 and all Mac models starting with the 2012 model year support AirDrop.

How can I determine whether a file transfer was successful?
You should receive a confirmation message on both devices if the receiving device accepts the inbound file.

Can I use AirDrop to move files across various Apple IDs?
If both devices are AirDrop enabled and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, you can use AirDrop to transmit files between different Apple IDs.