Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby Apple devices (2024)

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Copyright

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and more to other nearby devices and Mac computers.

Transfers are encrypted for security, and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it arrives.

Note: If you leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range after an AirDrop transfer is initiated, the transfer continues over the internet.

Before you begin

Make sure that the recipient you’re sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth range and that you both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
Check that the recipient you’re sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Everyone or Contacts Only.
See Also
AirDrop Not Working? Learn How to Fix!
If you’re not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.
If you’re in their Contacts and they set AirDrop to receive from Contacts Only, they need to have your Apple ID email address or phone number included in your contact card for AirDrop to work.

Send an item using AirDrop

Open the item on your iPhone, then tap , Share, AirDrop, , or another button that displays the app’s sharing options.
Tap , then tap the AirDrop user you want to share with. (You can also use AirDrop to share between your own devices.)
Tip: If you’re within close range of someone in your contacts, you can initiate a transfer by opening the file you want to share, then moving your iPhone close to your contact’s iPhone (on supported models with iOS17 or later).

To use AirDrop to securely share app and website passwords with someone using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, see Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop on iPhone.

Allow others to send items to your iPhone using AirDrop

Open Control Center, touch and hold the top-left group of controls, then tap .
Tap Contacts Only or Everyonefor10Minutes to choose who you want to receive items from.
Note: The Contacts Only and Everyone for 10 Minutes options are available only on devices with minimum system requirements.

Turn off cellular data for AirDrop

Cellular data charges may apply when you use AirDrop.

If you don’t want to use cellular data when you’re out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range, go to Settings> General> AirDrop, then turn off Use Cellular Data.

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.

To quickly share your contact information, see Use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact information.

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Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby Apple devices (2024)

FAQs

How does AirDrop work on Apple devices? ›

AirDrop uses Bluetooth to discover nearby devices and Wi-Fi to transfer data between devices. If the devices leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range of each other after you initiate an AirDrop transfer, the transfer can continue over the internet. Place the iPhone devices near one another.

Read On ›

Can I turn off AirDrop sending? ›

Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar to open Control Center. Click AirDrop. Slide the switch to turn off AirDrop (it will turn from blue to grey).

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When you AirDrop something to someone where does it go? ›

For most apps, if you tap Accept, the AirDrop will come through within the same app it was sent from. For example, photos appear in the Photos app and websites open in Safari.

Is Nearby Share as good as AirDrop? ›

When compared to the Nearby Share method, AirDrop has many advantages and reliable way to transfer files between gadgets without any data loss. You can observe its impact while handling large-sized file transfers between Android devices.

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How do I share with nearby devices? ›

Open the content, like a photo or webpage from any app. ...
Tap Share. ...
Make sure the device you want to share with is nearby.
Tap the device you want to share with. ...
Wait for the other device to accept your sharing request. ...
During the transfer: ...
To select multiple receivers, you can tap more than one device.

Find Out More ›

Is it safe to use AirDrop on iPhone? ›

When considering the safety of sharing files via AirDrop, several factors prove that Apple has put substantial effort into safeguarding the process. End-to-end Encryption: AirDrop encrypts files with TLS from the moment they're shared until received, providing robust transport security.

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Can someone access my iPhone through AirDrop? ›

An attacker interested to exploit one of the devices in its vicinity can access another device through it, or send an AirDrop message to any other device in its vicinity.

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Does AirDrop send everything? ›

The beauty of AirDrop is how it works seamlessly across many different types of content. You can share photos, documents, videos, audio recordings, contact cards, web links and notes (among other things) quickly and painlessly between Apple devices.

Explore More ›

Why is AirDrop saying no one nearby? ›

Sometimes, the issue can be in the network settings of your iPhone. So, if you're still facing the AirDrop no people found the issue, try resetting the network settings. Doing so will remove the Wi-Fi networks, passwords, Bluetooth connections, cellular network preferences, and VPN settings.

Can I AirDrop between my own devices? ›

AirDrop is limited to iOS and MacOS (Sorry, Android and PC users). When it debuted in 2012, it was one of the features that separated the iPhone from Android phones.

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How do I set up nearby devices on my iPhone? ›

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Control Nearby Devices, then tap Control Nearby Devices. The device you want to control must be signed in with the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Choose the device you want to control, then tap a button.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is my AirDrop not picking up other devices? ›

Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on

AirDrop relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® to transfer files. Make sure both are turned on by going to your phone settings. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open your Control Center. They're off if the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons are not illuminated blue.

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