How To Use AirDrop, What To Do If It Doesn't Work Or Can't See IPhone, IPad, IPod Touch

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

AirDrop or how to transfer files between Apple devices over the air

AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is designed to instantly share files between nearby Apple devices. Let's consider which devices support this function, how to use it, and also get acquainted with solutions to common problems when using this service.

AirDrop function and devices that support it

AirDrop is a wireless file transfer function between neighboring Mac OS devices, iPhone, iPad and iPod. The service does not need to be downloaded and installed, it does not require a network connection, as well as registration and additional settings.

AirDrop first appeared in OS X Lion and iOS 7 and is currently supported on the following devices:

• Phones: iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X;
• tablets: iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini 2/3/4, iPad Pro 9.7 / 10.5 / 12.9;
• computers: desktop computers running Mac OS Lion or higher;
• MacBooks: MacBook Pro (Late 2008 and newer), MacBook Air (Late 2010 and newer), MacBook (Late 2008 and newer), iMac (Early 2009 and newer), iMac (Early 2009) and later), Mac mini (Mid 2010 and later);
• Player: iPod touch 5th generation, iPod touch 6th generation.

How to know if AirDrop is available on your device

To check if AirDrop is available on your device, do the following:

• on iOS devices. AirDrop will appear in Control Center after you swipe up from the bottom of the screen;

• on Mac computers. Select Go from the Finder bar.

  

  Make sure your device has this feature before trying to enable AirDrop

How to enable and configure the feature

Instructions for enabling and configuring AirDrop on Mac and iOS devices are different.

How to enable and configure AirDrop on Mac computers

To enable and configure the feature on Mac computers, proceed as follows:

1. In the Finder menu bar, find Go and choose AirDrop.
2. We connect Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If one of the options is already on, AirDrop will connect automatically.

3. Selecting "Allow My Discovery" at the bottom of the AirDrop window.

   

   Don't forget to select "Allow My Discovery" at the bottom of the AirDrop window

How to enable and configure AirDrop on iOS devices

On iOS devices, setup is as follows:

1. Go to the "Control Center".

   

   To enable AirDrop on iOS devices, go to the "Control Center"

2. Turn on AirDrop.

3. Specify the type of detection in the program.

   

   Specify Discovery Type in AirDrop on iOS

How to send and receive files

The instructions for sending and receiving files on Mac computers and iOS devices are also different.

How to send and receive files on Mac computers

After enabling the function, the nearest connected users will appear in the window. Drag the files you want to the image of the recipient in the window and click on "Send".

Drag the files you want to the recipient's image in the window and click on "Send"

If the program has a “Share” button, click on it:

1. In Finder, Control-click the file you want and choose Share from the context menu.
2. From the Share menu, choose AirDrop.

3. Specify a recipient from the list.

   

   Specify a recipient from the list in AirDrop

4. Click on the "Finish" button.

If you need to get the file:

1. Sign in to your iCloud account.
2. The file will automatically go to the Downloads folder.
3. Otherwise, confirm acceptance of the file.

How to send and receive files on iOS devices

To send a file using AirDrop on iOS devices:

1. Select the desired file or program.
2. Click Share.

3. Tap on the desired recipient with AirDrop enabled.

   

   Click "Share" and select the desired recipient with AirDrop enabled

To get a file using AirDrop on iOS devices:

1. Click the "Accept" button on the received file notification.

2. The files will automatically appear in the appropriate folders on your device. For example, images will go to Photos, and websites will open in Safari.

   

   After clicking "Accept", the files automatically appear in the corresponding folders on the device

Video: how to use AirDrop

How to disable the function

To turn off AirDrop:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and open Control Center.
2. Click on AirDrop.
3. Select "Receive Off".

Possible issues when using AirDrop

If you don't see the recipient in the AirDrop window or list:

• make sure both devices support and enable this feature. On an iOS device, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled, and tethering disabled;
• devices should be located no more than 9 meters from each other;
• If you selected Contacts Only when connecting, make sure you are in the recipient's contact list. If not, ask the recipient to select the "For all" option.

If content is not transferred between iPhone and Mac, create a Bluetooth pair between the required devices:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
2. On your computer, go to System Preferences, then Bluetooth and find iPhone.

3. Click Create Pair.

   

   Find iPhone and click "Pair"

4. A window with a code and a proposal to create a pair will appear on the screens of the computer and phone.

5. Confirm the action.

   

   Confirm iPhone-Mac pairing

6. Check that the devices from the pair appear in the list of Bluetooth devices on your devices.

   

   Check that the devices from the pair appear in the Bluetooth list

Video: solving the problem with AirDrop

AirDrop is a simple and practical service for quickly transferring various kinds of content between Apple devices. Make sure your device supports the feature and send the files you need without additional software or settings.