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Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and 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.

You can use AirDrop with an iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Transfers are encrypted for security, and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it arrives.

Note: If you leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range after an AirDrop transfer is initiated, the transfer continues over the internet.

An iPhone Home Screen showing an AirDrop message at the top.

Before you begin

Make sure of the following:

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

  • The devices are within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration doesn’t prevent local networking, as that 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 the items.

Turn on AirDrop

  • On an iPhone or iPad: Open Control Center, touch and hold the top-left group of controls, then tap AirDrop icon. Tap Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes to choose who you want to receive items from.

    Note: The Contacts Only and Everyone for 10 Minutes options are available only on devices with minimum system requirements for AirDrop.

  • On a Mac: Click the Control Center status menu in the menu bar, then click AirDrop icon. When it’s blue, it’s on.

    To choose who can send items to you, click the right arrow next to AirDrop, then click Contacts Only or Everyone.

Send an item using AirDrop

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. If a recipient chooses to only accept items from a contact, you must be in their contacts list and they need to have your Apple Account email address or phone number included in your contact card.

Then do any of the following:

  • On an iPhone or iPad: Open the item, then tap the Share icon, Share, AirDrop icon, or another button (depending on the app). Tap AirDrop icon, then tap the recipient you want to share with. The recipients you see are those who are nearby, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and are able to accept files from your device.

    Tip: If you’re within close range of someone in your contacts, you can initiate an AirDrop transfer by opening the file you want to share, then moving your iPhone close to your contact’s iPhone (on supported models with iOS 17 or later).

  • On a Mac: Open the item on a Mac, click the Share icon in the toolbar, then click AirDrop. Select the recipient you want to share with. The recipients you see are those who are nearby, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and are able to accept files from your device.

    Tip: You can also share items with AirDrop in the Finder. Go to the Finder, click AirDrop in the sidebar, then drag the item you want to share to the recipient you want to send it to.

To use AirDrop to securely share app and website passwords with someone using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, see Share passwords or passkeys with people you trust on iPhone.

Receive items with AirDrop

On your device, tap or click Accept on the AirDrop notification.

Most items are saved in the app that they’re sent from. For example, if someone uses AirDrop to send you a photo from the Photos app, it’s saved in the Photos app on your device.

Depending on the device, you might find your files in other places. On an iPhone or iPad, some items may be saved in the Files app. On a Mac, some items are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. You may also have the option to choose where to save items.

Note: If you opened AirDrop in the Finder on a Mac, the notification to accept or decline appears here, rather than in Notification Center.

If you send items from one of your Apple devices to another (for example, from your Mac to your iPhone), and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices, the item is automatically accepted and saved.

Turn off cellular data for AirDrop

Cellular data charges may apply when you use AirDrop.

If you don’t want to use cellular data when you’re out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range, go to Settings  > General > AirDrop, then turn off Use Cellular Data.

Typically this is a one-time setting, but you might want to change it if, for example, you’re traveling and want to avoid roaming charges.

If AirDrop isn’t working

To quickly share your contact information, see Use NameDrop on iPhone.

AirDrop is best for sharing a small selection of files between devices. If you want to share many files between your Mac and other Apple devices, see Transfer files from iPhone to a storage device, a server, or the cloud.

See alsoUse Continuity to work across Apple devicesCopy and paste between your iPhone and other Apple devicesHand off tasks between your iPhone and your other devicesSync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
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