#AirdropStepByStep

Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

With AirDrop, you can use a wireless connection to send photos, videos, documents, and much more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can use AirDrop to send files to your own devices or to share files with others.

It is possible to use AirDrop with an iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

For security, transfers are encrypted and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it is received.

Note: if you move out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range after starting a transfer via AirDrop, it will continue over the internet.



Before you begin

Make sure that:

Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® turned on.

The devices are within a 10-meter range of each other.

If you are using a VPN, make sure that the settings do not prevent connections to the local network, as this may interfere with some Continuity features.

If you want to use AirDrop to send items between your Apple devices, sign in to your Apple Account to automatically accept and save items.

Activate AirDrop

On an iPhone or iPad: open the Control Center, press and hold the group of controls in the top left corner, and tap on . Tap on Contacts Only or “Everyone for 10 Minutes” to choose who you want to receive items from.

Note: the options Contacts Only or “Everyone for 10 Minutes” are only available on devices that meet the minimum system requirements for AirDrop.

On a Mac: click on  in the menu bar and click on . When it turns blue, it will be activated.