If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration does not prevent local networking as that may interfere with some Continuity features. While AirDrop can be used to download photos from your iPhone to your Mac, there are better ways to do it. Check out How To Download Photos From An iPhone To A Mac to find out how. Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Fast Share, Google’s Answer To AirDrop.

Instead of trying to clumsily share files using Dropbox, Google Drive, or some other cloud storage, it’s an immediate transfer from one device to another that (in most cases) takes only seconds. To send an item to someone with AirDrop, both you and your recipient must have turned on AirDrop and chosen to accept items from either Contacts or Everyone. Often when you want to share photos with someone, you’ll either text it or email it. While that will work, it can be much faster to just use AirDrop to send the picture(s) to them. The only requirements are that both devices are from Apple and the devices are in close proximity to one another.

How can I troubleshoot AirDrop issues on my Mac?

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. If you are team Android, you can use a feature called Quick Share, which does something similar. As is typical of Apple’s what is ethereum a beginners guide ecosystem, it’s a very easy – and incredibly useful – tool to take advantage of. Below, we’ll walk you through how to enable AirDrop on your Apple devices – from iPhones old and new to MacBooks.

Then, it’s wise to check whether the device you’re sending to has its AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. AirDrop is a sharing option whenever you see the Share icon (a rectangle with an arrow pointing up). You’ll also find it in some apps, like Contacts, under a specific share menu option. Use AirDrop to share and receive photos, documents and more with other Apple devices that are nearby. You’ll then need to choose AirDrop from the sharing options and select the AirDrop recipient from the AirDrop box. You can also launch the Finder and open the AirDrop from the left-hand bar.

Users can also transfer data from an iOS device to a Mac computer and vice versa. As far back as iOS 7, users could only use AirDrop to transfer data across like devices. A user could only move data from one iOS device to another iOS device, for example.

Remember to be cautious when accepting files from unknown senders, even with these protections in place. If you need the firewall on, add AirDrop to the security specialist job description allowed apps list. This lets it receive incoming connections while maintaining overall security.

• If you AirDrop something to yourself, like a photo from your iPhone to your Mac, you won’t see an option to Accept or Decline—it’ll automatically get sent to your device.
• You can also select the share icon from the bottom navigation bar when viewing individual photos and videos in the Photos app.
• For example, in iCloud Drive, you can tap on a document, then tap the Share icon and follow the steps.
• You can set it up so that everyone near you can share, only your contacts can share or no one can share.
• If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration does not prevent local networking as that may interfere with some Continuity features.

If you’re not in their Contacts, have them change their AirDrop preference to Everyone to receive your file. First, open an app and identify the piece of content you want to share. Then, tap the Share button, which is often iconized by a square box with an arrow protruding upwards out of it. If you share a photo from the Photos app, you can swipe left or right and select multiple photos.

Apple ID Not Active? Here’s the Fix!

You can share between different operating systems (iOS to macOS, for example) or between devices using the same operating system (iOS to iOS, for instance). Instructions apply to devices running iOS 7 and later, iPadOS, and OS X Mountain Lion (10.7) and up. If you’re not signed in with your Apple ID on your device, this setting reverts to Receiving Off after 10 minutes. If they’re not in your Contacts, you’ll see just their name without an image.

How to accept an AirDrop

Apple AirDrop is a native feature in iOS and macOS that lets users share data from one device to another on the same Wi-Fi network. For Contacts Only, the Apple device you are sharing content with will need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work. If you or they don’t have that information, make sure both devices have their AirDrop settings set to Everyone.

You can change your AirDrop receiving setting to Contacts Only or Receiving Off at any time to control who can see your device and send you content through AirDrop. If you send the items to a device you own, they’ll automatically download and save to your device. If you’re AirDropping files or media to someone else, the recipient will get a notification that you’re trying to AirDrop them something. Anytime you start to Share something (document, picture, etc.) on your iPhone, you’ll see the option to AirDrop it at the top of the Share menu. You can share files from your iCloud Drive, pictures from the Photos app, songs you’ve found on Apple Music, recordings from Voice Memos, and much more.

Otherwise, in Contacts, open the contact you want to share, then scroll down and select Share Contact. This option will only be available if both you and your contact how to buy on blockfi are using an iPhone that’s running iOS 17. YouTube Premium has many features you might not even know about. AirDrop works with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Mac. Each iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch needs to be running iOS 7 or later and each Mac needs to have been introduced in 2012 or later (excluding the 2012 Mac Pro) and running OS X Yosemite or later. By Chris Welch, a reviewer specializing in personal audio and home theater.