Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (2024)

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (1)

AirDrop lets you wirelessly send documents, photos, map locations, web pages and more to a nearby Mac, iPhone or iPad.

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (2)

Send items using AirDrop

With AirDrop on your Mac, you can send items from the Finder, the desktop or from within apps such as Safari or Maps.

Receive items using AirDrop

When someone uses AirDrop to send an item to you on your Mac, you can choose whether to accept and save it.

If you send an item from one device to another (for example, from your iPhone to your Mac) and you’re signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID on both devices, the item is automatically accepted and saved.

  1. In the AirDrop notification on your Mac, click the Accept pop-up menu, then choose an option.

  2. Look for the item in your Downloads folder or the app you saved the item to.

If someone who wants to send you a file can’t see your Mac, make sure you’ve set it up to allow others to send items to you using AirDrop.

Allow others to send items to your Mac using AirDrop

  1. On your Mac, click the Finder icon Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (4) in the Dock to open a Finder window.

  2. In the Finder sidebar, click AirDrop.

  3. In the AirDrop window, click the “Allow me to be discovered by” pop-up menu, then choose an option.

Use Control Centre to manage AirDrop

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (5)

You can use Control Centre to quickly turn AirDrop on or off and choose who can send items to you using AirDrop.

On your Mac, click Control Centre Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (6) in the menu bar, then do any of the following:

  • Turn AirDrop on or off: Click the AirDrop icon Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (7).

  • Choose who can send items to you: Click the arrow Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (8) next to AirDrop, then click Contacts Only or Everyone.

AirDrop uses Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi to transfer items between devices. Most likely, you’ve already got Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled on your Mac. If you don’t, you’re asked to turn them on when you try to send an item.

Note: The Contacts Only option is available on devices with iOS 10 or later, iPadOS 13 or later, or macOS 10.12 or later. If your device has an earlier software version, select the Everyone option to receive items by AirDrop. (You can disable the Everyone option after you receive the items.)

To see if your Mac and the device you’re sending files to support AirDrop, see the Apple Support article Use AirDrop on your Mac.

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (2024)

FAQs

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you? ›

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.

Can you AirDrop to anyone near you? ›

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.

Can you use AirDrop from far away? ›

Range: The maximum range for AirDrop transfers is about 30 feet (10 meters). Speed: The transfer speed will vary depending on the size of the file and the capabilities of the devices involved. Apple-Exclusive: AirDrop is only available on Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and iPod touches.

How do I change the location of AirDrop files? ›

Step 1: Navigate to the "Settings" on your iPhone and tap on "General." Step 2: From the General menu, tap on the “AirDrop" feature. Now select where you want to transfer the files.

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.

What is the difference between AirDrop and Nearby Share? ›

As the name suggests, Nearby Share allows you to share files back and forth between Android devices and PCs. It's similar to Apple's AirDrop, with the key difference being that Nearby Share connects devices from two different companies, rather than iPhones and Macs.

How do I share with nearby devices? ›

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

Can Nearby Share work with Mac? ›

Since macOS does not support Wi-Fi Direct, your Mac and Android phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network for NearDrop and Nearby Share to work. Navigate to the file you want to send to your Mac from your phone. Tap the Share button followed by Nearby Share.

Do you have to be within a certain distance to AirDrop? ›

Make sure that both devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder, then check the ”Allow me to be discovered by” setting in the AirDrop window.

How does AirDrop work on a Mac? ›

Use AirDrop on your Mac
  1. Open the file that you want to send, then click the Share button. in the app window. For files in the Finder, you can also Control-click the file, then choose Share from the shortcut menu.
  2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing options listed.
  3. Choose a recipient from the AirDrop sheet:
Feb 7, 2024

Is leaving AirDrop on safe? ›

The safety of AirDrop depends mainly on user awareness and implementing good practices. While inherent risks exist, as with any technology, the ability to control discoverability, combined with the robust encryption provided, makes AirDrop a generally secure option for file sharing.

Where do AirDrop files go on a Mac? ›

Files sent using AirDrop are placed in the Downloads folder.

Can you AirDrop from anywhere? ›

Also, AirDrop only works with devices that are within about 10 meters, or 30 feet, because it uses Bluetooth to create a connection (that's the distance limit for Bluetooth connectivity), then creates the peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network.

Where are AirDrop settings located? ›

How to adjust AirDrop settings. To choose who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop: Go to Settings, then tap General. Tap AirDrop, then choose an option.

Can you AirDrop to a random person? ›

If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

How close to someone do you have to be to AirDrop? ›

Also, AirDrop only works with devices that are within about 10 meters, or 30 feet, because it uses Bluetooth to create a connection (that's the distance limit for Bluetooth connectivity), then creates the peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network.

Does AirDrop only work locally? ›

AirDrop will automatically detect nearby supported devices, and the devices only need to be close enough to establish a good Wi-Fi connection, making it possible to share files across several rooms.

Can I find out who airdropped me? ›

Unfortunately, no, there is not currently a feature for seeing the history of items sent and received. However, you can view the files that have been sent to you.

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