Jun 27, 2020 AirDrop needs Bluetooth and WiFi to function properly. The files that are shared are encrypted and protected from prying eyes. However, since it needs WiFi and Bluetooth to function, AirDrop can only share files with nearby devices. How to Turn on AirDrop on Mac? Here are full steps to turn on and use Airdrop on Macbook. Oct 10, 2019 Search for an Older Mac. Older Macs use a legacy implementation of AirDrop that isn’t compatible with the latest iOS devices. You can use a modern Mac to send files to an older Mac, but you first have to tell AirDrop to search for the older Mac. If your Mac was manufactured pre-2012, this method might work for you. May 26, 2020 Methods to activate (and off) AirDrop on Mac. AirDrop isn’t particular to iPhones and iPads – you too can use the tech to ship recordsdata to close by Mac customers, negating the necessity to hook the system up by way of Lightning cable and entry them by way of iTunes as you’ll have a couple of years in the past.
- Airdrop Mac To Iphone
- How To Find Airdrop On Mac
- What Mac Apps Use Airdrop Free
- Airdrop For Mac Download
Transferring files between computers or even between your Mac and an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad is easy. There are lots of different options, including Dropbox, OneDrive, email, and Apple’s own iCloud Drive.
However, perhaps the simplest method of all is AirDrop. This feature of macOS and iOS allows you to send files directly from a Mac or iOS device to another one, without having to place it on an intermediate server first.
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop was first introduced with Mac OS X Lion and allowed Mac users to share files with other from the Finder, and without copying them to a server or cloud storage service first, as long as they were physically close to each other. Since iOS 7, it has also been possible to share files between Macs and iOS devices using AirDrop.
Can I use AirDrop on my MacBook?
As long as your Mac is running at least Mac OS X Lion, you can use AirDrop to share files with other Macs, whether it’s a MacBook or any other Mac. If it’s running Yosemite or later, you’ll be able to share with iOS devices too. One easy way to check if your Mac can use AirDrop is to click on the Finder icon in the menu and choose the Go menu. If you see AirDrop listed as an option, you’re good to go.
How to use AirDrop
There are a couple of things you should do before you start:
- Make sure the devices you want to share files between are within 30 feet of each other.
- Check the Firewall settings on both Macs (if you’re sharing files with another Mac).
Here's how to do that:
- Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Choose the Security & Privacy tab.
- Click the Firewall tab, then the padlock, then type in your password.
- Press Firewall Options and on the next screen, make sure Block all incoming connections at the top of the window is not checked.
It’s not essential for both devices to be connected to the same iCloud account — AirDrop is designed to allow you to share files with other users as well as other devices you own. However, if the device you want to share files with is connected to a different iCloud account, the owner of the device will have to accept the incoming connection before the file can be transferred.
Now that you’ve set it up, the next step is to make sure both devices are connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is switched on.
- On your Mac, go to the menu bar and, if Wi-Fi is off or not connected, click on the Wi-Fi icon and choose a network.
- Go to System Preferences, choose the Bluetooth pane and, if Bluetooth is off, press Turn Bluetooth On.
- If you want to share files with an iOS device, go to the Settings app on that device and make sure Wi-Fi is connected and Bluetooth is switched on.
With that done, it’s time to configure AirDrop.
How to turn on AirDrop on Mac and iOS
- On your Mac, click on the Finder icon in the Dock and go to the Go menu, then click AirDrop.
- At the bottom of the window that opens, click on “Allow me to be discovered by:” and choose Contacts only or Everyone.
- On the iPhone or iPad you want to share files with, go to Settings>General>AirDrop and choose Contacts only or Everyone.
You’re now ready to share your first file using AirDrop!
How to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone
- Go to the Finder and open a new window.
- Click on AirDrop in the sidebar of the window.
- You should see your iPhone in the window — it’s displayed using the name of the AppleID it’s connected to. If there is more than one device with AirDrop turned on, you’ll see them all.
- Open another Finder window and drag the file you want to transfer from its folder onto the icon of the iPhone you want to share it with.
- Drop it onto the icon.
- On the iPhone, you should see a menu appear asking which app you want to use to open the file. Tap the app you want to use.
- The files will now open in that app.
You can also share files using AirDrop via the Share menu in any macOS app that support it. Just click on the Share button, choose AirDrop, then select your iPhone.
How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac
- Open an app on your iPhone that supports the Share feature.
- Open the document you want to send to your Mac.
- Tap the Share button.
- You’ll see a list of options, and above them, AirDrop with your Mac and any other devices in the vicinity.
- Tap your Mac.
- The file will be sent to your Mac.
- On your Mac, when the notification is displayed, click Open it to open the file.
If you don’t want to open the file, it will be saved to your Downloads folder.
What to do if AirDrop doesn’t work on your Mac
If AirDrop doesn’t work, try switching Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and then on again. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your Mac. If you still can’t get AirDrop to work, we recommend trying CleanMyMac X maintenance scripts. They may fix the problem.
- Download CleanMyMac for free here.
- Launch the app.
- Click on Maintenance in the Utilities section.
- Check the boxes next to Run Maintenance Scripts and Verify Disk Permissions.
- Press Run.
Once CleanMyMac has finished, try AirDrop again.
Using AirDrop to transfer files between Macs or from Mac to iOS device is very convenient and very easy. The only thing to remember is that the devices both need to be connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and need to be within around 30 feet of each other. You can then send files back and forth whenever you need to.
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AirDrop is a very useful feature that makes it really easy to transfer Photos, Files and other data between AirDrop compatible devices. You will find below the steps to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac.
AirDrop From iPhone to Mac
The procedure to setup your Mac and iPhone to use the AirDrop feature involves the following steps.
- Enable WiFi & Bluetooth on iPhone and Mac
- Setup iPhone to use AirDrop
- Setup Mac to Use AirDrop
Enable WiFi/Bluetooth on iPhone and Mac
AirDrop makes use of Bluetooth technology to identify nearby device and WiFi to transfer data wirelessly between Apple devices. Hence, follow the steps below to enable both WiFi and Bluetooth on your iPhone and Mac.
1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping up on the screen of your iPhone. On the Control Center, tap on WiFi and Bluetooth icons to enable them (See image below)
2. Now, click on the Finder icon on your Mac.
3. Next, click on the Go option from the top menu bar on your Mac and then click on AirDrop in the drop-down menu that appears (See image below).
4. On the next screen, click on Turn On WiFi and Bluetooth button
In case WiFi is already enabled on your Mac, you will see Turn on Bluetooth button. Similarly, in case Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac, you will see Turn ON WiFi button.
In case both WiFi and Bluetooth have been enabled on your Mac, you will not see Turn ON WiFi or Turn ON Bluetooth buttons.
Setup iPhone to Use AirDrop
After enabling WiFi and Bluetooth Networks on your iPhone and Mac, follow the steps below to setup your iPhone to receive Data from Mac using the AirDrop feature.
1. On your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen in order to open Control Center.
2. On the Control Center screen, Tap and Hold on the Networks widget in order to expand it.
3. In the expanded Networks Widget, tap on the AirDrop icon.
4. On the next menu, tap on Everyone (See image below).
Related: How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone
Setup Mac to Use AirDrop
Airdrop Mac To Iphone
Follow the steps below to Setup Mac to transfer data to your iPhone using the AirDrop feature
1. Click on the Finder icon located in the Dock on your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Go option in the top menu bar and then click on AirDrop in the Menu that appears (See image below).
3. On the AirDrop screen, you should be able to see your iPhone, iPad or iPod listed (See image below)
Note: In case your device is not listed, try unlocking your iPhone and see if it is now listed.
Related:How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on Mac
How To Find Airdrop On Mac
AirDrop From iPhone to Mac
The AirDrop feature is in-built and readily available on many popular apps like Photos. This makes it really easy to transfer Photos and other Data from iPhone to Mac using the AirDrop feature.
What Mac Apps Use Airdrop Free
1. Open the Photos App on your iPhone (similarly, you can use any other App that contains the data you want to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac)
2. Once the app is open, select the Photo or Photos that you want to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac.
3. After selecting the Photos, tap on the Share icon located in the bottom-left corner of the Photos app (See image below).
4. After tapping on the Share icon, wait for your Mac to show up in the AirDrop section (May take around 5-10 seconds)
5. After the Mac shows up in the AirDrop section, tap on your Mac in order to AirDrop the photo
Airdrop For Mac Download
That’s it! you will see that the selected photo has been transferred to Mac.
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