In this article, we will show you how to turn on AirDrop on Mac, iPhone, iPad via finder and control center to share files wirelessly and securely.

AirDrop is one of Apple’s most convenient features, making it easy to share photos, videos, documents, and other files between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Whether you’re transferring files between devices in a matter of seconds or sending documents to a nearby friend, AirDrop ensures a smooth and wireless experience.

In this article, we will walk you through how to turn on AirDrop on your MacBook, iPhone, and iPad.

See Also: 5 Methods to Transfer Photos from iPhone to computer

What Is AirDrop?

AirDrop is a feature that allows Apple devices to wirelessly send and receive files with ease. It uses Bluetooth to establish a connection between devices and Wi-Fi to transfer data quickly and securely. AirDrop works with Macs running macOS X Lion or later and iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch models with iOS 7 or later.

How to Turn on AirDrop on a Mac

Turning on AirDrop on your Mac is straightforward. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Finder
   First, click on the Finder icon in the Dock. This opens the file explorer on your Mac.

2. Go to AirDrop
   In the Finder sidebar, you’ll see an option labeled AirDrop. Click on it. If you don’t see it, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + R.

3. Enable AirDrop
   If AirDrop is turned off, you will see an option to enable it. A window will pop up with different AirDrop settings. You can choose who can discover your Mac—Everyone, Contacts Only, or No One. Select Everyone to make sure that all nearby Apple devices can see your Mac, or choose Contacts Only to limit visibility to those in your contacts.

4. Allow Discoverability
   Make sure your Mac is set to be discoverable by other devices. This is usually enabled by default, but you can double-check by ensuring the “Allow me to be discovered by” option is turned on.

Now your Mac is ready to receive and send files via AirDrop!

See Also: 5 Ways to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC

How to Turn on AirDrop on an iPhone or iPad

Enabling AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad is quick and easy. Here’s how:

1. Open Control Center
   On an iPhone X or later or an iPad with iOS 12 or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access the Control Center. On older models (iPhone 8 and earlier), swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

2. Press and Hold the Network Settings Box
   In the Control Center, you’ll see a small box with your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. Press and hold this box to expand it.

3. Enable AirDrop
   Tap on the AirDrop icon. You’ll have three options:

   • Receiving Off: No one can send you files via AirDrop.

   • Contacts Only: Only people in your contacts can send you files.

   • Everyone: Anyone nearby can send you files.

4. Choose Your Option
   Select the desired setting depending on how open you want your device to be for AirDrop. If you want to send files to anyone around you, choose Everyone.

5. Receive Files
   Once AirDrop is enabled, you can send files from your device to other Apple devices, or receive files from others!

See Also: 5 Ways to transfer iPhone to iPhone

Airdrop Not working! Reasons and How to Fix

If you encounter issues with AirDrop, here are some tips to resolve common problems:

1. Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
   AirDrop requires both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be turned on. Make sure these are active on both devices (Mac and iOS devices).

2. Make Sure Devices Are Close
   AirDrop works best when devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other. Ensure that both devices are within this range.

3. Check Privacy Settings
   Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is not set to Do Not Disturb mode, as this can prevent AirDrop from working.

4. Restart Your Devices
   If AirDrop is still not working, try restarting both devices to refresh the connection and clear any temporary glitches.

Why Use AirDrop?

• Fast and Wireless: AirDrop offers lightning-fast file transfers without the need for cables or the internet. It’s the perfect solution for quickly sharing documents, photos, and videos with people nearby.

• Secure: AirDrop uses encryption to ensure that your files are sent securely.

• Easy to Use: AirDrop is incredibly simple to use—just a couple of taps or clicks, and your files are on their way.

See Also: 7 Steps to Share Location on Android

Final Thoughts

AirDrop is an incredibly useful feature for Apple users. Whether you’re transferring photos to a friend, sending work documents to a colleague, or sharing a video with a family member, AirDrop provides a fast, secure, and convenient way to share files between devices. With the easy steps outlined above, you can start using AirDrop on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad in no time.

If you’re still having trouble, make sure both devices are updated to the latest version of macOS or iOS, and check that your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings are functioning correctly.

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