Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you (2024)

FAQs

How do I send files via AirDrop on Mac? ›

To turn on AirDrop on Macs, click on the desktop and use the keyboard shortcut 'Command + Shift + R' Change your visibility setting by clicking on the dropdown arrow next to 'Allow me to be discovered by' and choose between 'Everyone' or 'Contacts Only'

If you're having issues or can't send files with AirDrop, check your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, check your Firewall settings, and make sure that your AirDrop receiving setting is set correctly in the Finder. In Bluetooth settings, turn Bluetooth off and on. In Wi-Fi settings, turn Wi-Fi off and on.

As the name suggests, Nearby Share allows you to share files back and forth between Android devices and PCs. It's similar to Apple's AirDrop, with the key difference being that Nearby Share connects devices from two different companies, rather than iPhones and Macs.

To change these settings, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click AirDrop & Handoff on the right. (You may need to scroll down.) If your Mac supports Handoff, turn on Handoff between your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. See Pick up where you left off with Handoff.

Files sent using AirDrop are placed in the Downloads folder.

If you're having issues or can't send files with AirDrop, adjust your AirDrop receiving settings in Control Center. Make sure that your devices have the latest operating system version, you have turned Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on, or you have restarted your devices.

The only "requirement" is that both devices are within 30 feet of each other and have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. So far as I can tell, there isn't a limit to the size of the file you AirDrop. Just know that the bigger the file, the longer it will take to transfer.

How do you transfer files from Mac to Mac? ›

Transfer data from another Mac

On both Macs, open a Finder window, go to Applications, open the Utilities folder, then double-click Migration Assistant and follow the onscreen instructions. If you are transferring wirelessly, keep the computers near each other throughout the migration process.

You don't need WiFi to use AirDrop, but it's recommended. AirDrop works best when both devices are connected to the same WiFi network. If WiFi is unavailable, AirDrop can use Bluetooth to establish a peer-to-peer connection between devices, but these will be noticeably slower than sharing over WiFi.

If the person you're sharing with also has an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 model, you can simply point your iPhone in the direction of their device. From there, you should see the other user's profile picture appear on-screen. If there are multiple devices nearby, you may see a red numbered badge on the AirDrop button.

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.

Proximity and Signal Strength: AirDrop works best when devices are close and have a strong Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal. Being too far from the target device can lead to this error. Software Updates:Outdated iOS firmware on your Apple devices can sometimes cause AirDrop problems.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Control Nearby Devices, then tap Control Nearby Devices. The device you want to control must be signed in with the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Choose the device you want to control, then tap a button.