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How to use AirDrop functionality on Apple devices

November 12, 2021 by Hemant Saxena

AirDrop lets you easily share files, photos, and more with nearby Apple devices without using cellular data. You can set up the feature to instantly share and receive content on your desired device. Here’s how to use AirDrop on Apple devices.

How to use AirDrop in Apple devices to transfer files wirelessly?

Before getting started, make sure the device you are trying to connect has Bluetooth enabled and within the Wi-Fi range. Also, if your Hotspot is on, turn it off. Then, follow this guide. It covers all the essential steps related to our topic of discussion i.e., how to use AirDrop to transfer files wirelessly.

  1. Open an iOS app on your iPhone or go to the location where content is saved.
  2. Choose the files you want to share.
  3. Hit the share option.
  4. Tap the AirDrop option.
  5. Allow the process to complete.
  6. Similarly, on your Mac, select the file/s.
  7. Right-click it and choose Share > AirDrop.
  8. Select your device and send.

How do I transfer files using AirDrop?

Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to share files and photos across devices. For example, with Apple devices, you can use AirDrop to send or receive files (even ones that are considered as sufficiently large for email attachments) from an iPhone or a Mac with just a tap. Let’s see the process for both.

Select Photos App
Select Photos App

On your iPhone, go to the native iOS Photos app or some other app containing files. Select the files you would like to share to your MacBook and hit the Share icon.

iPhone AirDrop Icon
iPhone AirDrop Icon

In the new screen that appears, tap the AirDrop icon.

AirDrop Complete
AirDrop Complete

Allow the feature to search for nearby devices. When found, tap to select it and send the files.

AirDrop Prompt on Mac
AirDrop Prompt on Mac

On your MacBook, hit the drop-down menu next to the Options button.

Open AirDrop Files
Open AirDrop Files

Choose the Show in Finder or Open option to open the files, instantly.

Similarly, if you would like to transfer your files from MacBook to your iPhone, select the file/s and right-click it.

AirDrop Mac
AirDrop Mac

Choose Share > AirDrop option as shown in the image above.

Send to iPhone
Send to iPhone

Select your device to initiate the process.

Is AirDrop safe to use?

Yes! The 2 devices connected to each other invariably create a firewall around the connection. So, the files sent or received are encrypted. In fact, the process is safer than transferring via email. The only prerequisite is that the devices need to be in close proximity to establish a good Wi-Fi connection and make it possible to share files across an area.

How does AirDrop transfer so fast?

AirDrop uses Wi-Fi technology to establish the connection. On the other hand, a large majority of other apps offer similar file sharing capability via Bluetooth or Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. Findings suggest, both, Bluetooth and NFC are relatively slow compared to Wi-Fi. This makes the process of sharing larger files using AirDrop much faster than others, as long as the devices are in range.

Hope that makes sense!

Category: Apple Tags: iOS Last Modified: April 30, 2022

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About Hemant Saxena

Hemant Saxena loves writing about technology full-time. He also enjoys making readers' lives easier by walking them through the most practical ways to use Apple devices, step-by-step.

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