Mac Tutorials
How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac and Vice Versa: A Comprehensive Guide 👥💻📲
Discover the convenience and ease of file sharing between iOS devices with our comprehensive guide. Learn in few simple steps how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac and vice versa. Whether you’re new to AirDrop or just need a quick refresher, this guide has you covered! 😊
Configure Your iPhone and Mac Settings for AirDrop
Before exploring the AirDrop functionalities, certain settings need to be in place to ensure a seamless file-sharing experience. Firstly, ensure WiFi and Bluetooth are switched on both devices. It’s time to dive into the settings:
- For iPhone: Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and select either ‘Contacts only‘ or ‘Everyone‘. If ‘Receiving off‘ is selected, your iPhone will not be able to receive anything through AirDrop. 🚫📲
- For Mac: Navigate to ‘Go’ in the top menu bar, select ‘AirDrop’ at the bottom and ensure your ‘Allow me to be discovered by’ setting is set to ‘Everyone‘ or ‘Contacts Only‘. Selecting ‘No One‘ means your Mac will not be able to receive anything through AirDrop. 🚫💻
Bear in mind your devices must also be within 30 feet of each other to use AirDrop.
AirDrop from iPhone to Mac
Now that your devices are well-prepared, here’s how you can AirDrop from iPhone to Mac:
- Open the file, photo, note, or other item you want to send on your iPhone.
- Tap the Share icon 🔄.
- Select AirDrop, then tap the name of your Mac.
On your Mac, a notification will appear. Click ‘Accept’ to receive the dropped file, and if needed, specify where you want to save the file. 🎁💽
AirDrop from Mac to iPhone
Moving on, if you wish to AirDrop from your Mac to your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the file, photo, note, or other item you wish to send.
- At the top, click ‘File‘, select ‘Share‘, then click ‘AirDrop‘.
- In the menu that pops up, select your iPhone. (Ensure your iPhone is unlocked, otherwise it won’t appear in this list).
On your iPhone, another notification will pop up. Accept the airdrop by hitting ‘Accept’. 😊✅
Drag-and-Drop Files from Mac
Aside from the usual method, there’s another quick and easy way to AirDrop from your Mac.
- Click ‘Go‘, then ‘AirDrop‘ in your Mac’s menu.
- You can now drag-and-drop files to the device or contact you want to send to. Drag, drop, and you’re done! ✅💨
Final Words
There you have it! A comprehensive guide on how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac and Mac to iPhone. Follow these simple instructions and you’ll be an expert in no time! 😎🎓 Remember — practice makes perfect!
Conclusion: 🏁
Congratulations on mastering one of the fundamental features of your Apple devices! 🏆 Remember, these steps ensure a quick and easy file sharing experience between your iPhone and Mac. So, let’s AirDrop one more time: open a file, tap the share icon, select AirDrop, and choose the device you want to share with. 🔄🚀 With continued practice, you’ll soon become a pro at using AirDrop! 💻📲 Keep going, and happy AirDropping! 😊🎉
FAQ
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is a feature available on Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which allows you to share files quickly and easily over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
How do I turn on AirDrop on my iPhone?
Go to Settings -> General -> AirDrop. Choose between Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone based on your preference.
How do I turn on AirDrop on my Mac?
Go to Finder -> Go -> AirDrop. Click on ‘Allow me to be discovered by’ and choose between ‘No one’, ‘Contacts Only’, and ‘Everyone’.
How do I use AirDrop from iPhone to Mac?
Choose the file you wish to share on your iPhone, then tap the share button. In the AirDrop section, select your Mac’s name. Accept the file on your Mac.
How do I use AirDrop from Mac to iPhone?
Choose the file you wish to share on your Mac, right click and then choose Share > AirDrop. In the AirDrop window, select your iPhone’s name. Accept the file on your iPhone.
What types of files can I share over AirDrop?
You can share photos, videos, documents, locations, and more over AirDrop.
Why doesn’t my iPhone show up in AirDrop on my Mac?
This could be due to both devices not being within appropriate distance, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues, or set parameters not allowing your devices to find each other.
Can I use AirDrop if I do not have an iPhone or a Mac?
No, AirDrop only works between Apple devices.
Why does AirDrop fail?
There could be a range of reasons including weak Wi-Fi, inactive Bluetooth, distance between devices, heavy network traffic, etc.
Is AirDrop safe?
Yes, since AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for file transfer, it is generally considered safe.
How close do devices need to be for AirDrop?
Both devices need to be within 30 feet of each other for AirDrop to work.
How do I reject an AirDrop request?
When you receive an AirDrop notice, you can tap the ‘Decline’ button to reject the request.
Why can’t I see the other person’s device in my AirDrop?
This could be because their device isn’t discoverable. Ask them to check their AirDrop settings and make sure they’re within the required range.
Can I AirDrop to multiple devices at once?
Yes, you can select multiple people to AirDrop something to them at the same time.
Do both devices need to be connected to the internet for AirDrop to work?
No, AirDrop works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and doesn’t need an internet connection.
Can I AirDrop a call?
No, AirDrop is meant for transferring files and not calls.
Is there a size limit to files sent via AirDrop?
No, there isn’t a size limit but larger files may take more time to transfer.
Why can’t I AirDrop contacts?
You can AirDrop contacts. Just navigate to the contact, tap on ‘Share Contact’ and select AirDrop.
Does AirDrop compress files?
No, AirDrop doesn’t compress files. It sends them in their original quality.
Where do AirDrop files go on Mac?
Files received via airdrop go into your Downloads folder.
Where do AirDrop files go on iPhone?
Files received via AirDrop appear in the app designed to open them. For example, photos appear in Photos app.
Can I cancel an AirDrop transfer?
Yes, you can cancel an AirDrop transfer from the control center by tapping on the AirDrop activity and choosing ‘Cancel’.
How do I know if my AirDrop was successful?
You get a notification with the option to ‘Open’ the file once AirDrop successfully transfers a file.
Can I use AirDrop on my iPhone without Wi-Fi?
No, you need both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be enabled for AirDrop to work.
Can I use AirDrop on an older version of iOS or macOS?
AirDrop is available on devices running iOS 7 or later, and Mac computers running OS X Yosemite or later.
Why doesn’t AirDrop work on my older Apple device?
Your device may not support AirDrop, or it may be running an older version of iOS or macOS. Check the system requirements for AirDrop.
Is my file lost if I decline an AirDrop?
No, the file remains on the sender’s device until they delete it.
Is there a faster way to AirDrop than going through the sharing options?
For iPhones and iPads, you can use the ‘Quick Action’ menu by pressing and holding the file, then selecting AirDrop.
Can I AirDrop files to myself?
Yes, if you’re logged into the same iCloud account on multiple devices, you can AirDrop files between these devices.
Can I choose where my AirDrop files go on my device?
No, AirDrop files automatically go to specific apps based on their format and can’t be redirected.