Airdrop on iPhone and other Apple devices is an inbuilt file-sharing mechanism that allows any Apple user to transfer files to others without any third-party application.
What is AirDrop on iPhone and other Apple devices?
AirDrop is Apple’s built-in file-sharing feature available on all Apple devices, including iPhones, Macs, and iPads. It allows users to easily share photos, videos, and other files with nearby Apple devices. AirDrop is used by Apple users to transfer files between friends and family. Since AirDrop is an Apple-exclusive feature, it can only be used for file transfers between Apple devices.
How do you find the Airdrop and turn on Toogle?
The AirDrop toggle can be found in the Control Center. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to access the Control Center. Next, tap and hold the network icons in the top left corner of the Control Center, including Airplane Mode, Mobile Data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. After holding down, the window will expand, and you will see additional icons, such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
Tap on AirDrop to see options like Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. You can select the option that suits your preference. For example, if you wish to turn off AirDrop, select the Receiving Off option, and the AirDrop feature will be disabled.
The three options mentioned above are explained in more detail later in the article for further clarity.
How Airdrop Transfer Files?
Airdrop uses Bluetooth wireless technology to transfer files wirelessly. Both the devices should turn on the Airdrop and be close to each other. Since the Bluetooth range is shorter, both devices should be within the 30-foot range to get the maximum file transfer speed.
How to turn on and use Airdrop with iPhone?
Follow the steps to turn on Airdrop on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the control center on your iPhone. You can swipe down the screen from the top right corner to do so. It will work only if you are using an iPhone X or a newer version. You can access the control center for older devices by swiping up the screen from the bottom.
Step 2: In the control center option, tap and hold the WiFi icon. Now, you can see the Airdrop icon on the next screen.
Make sure that you turn on both Bluetooth and WiFi on your iPhone. If not, please turn them on before proceeding further.
Step 3: Now, click on the Airdrop Icon; there you will see three options
- Receiving off
- Contact Only
- Everyone
You can click on Contact Only or Everyone to start receiving files.
Receiving off: If you set this option, the device will turn off the receiving option, and no one can send you any files.
Contact Only: Only the person in your contact list can send files using this option.
Everyone: Anyone can send you files if this option is turned on.
Since the file transfer uses Bluetooth connectivity, both Apple devices should be within 30 feet of each other to complete this.
How do I Know If Airdrop is Turned on?
To check if AirDrop is turned on on an iPhone or iPad, swipe to open the Control Center: downwards from the upper-right corner on iPhone X or later and iPad, or upwards from the bottom edge on iPhone 8 or earlier. Long press the network settings card where Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options are, then tap the AirDrop icon to see its status. AirDrop’s settings include “Receiving Off,” “Contacts Only,” or “Everyone,” indicating its current operational mode.
On a Mac, checking AirDrop’s status involves opening a Finder window and selecting “AirDrop” from the sidebar. If AirDrop isn’t visible, ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled or check if your Mac supports AirDrop. The bottom of the AirDrop window reveals whether AirDrop is active and who can discover your device, with options similar to those on iOS: “No One,” “Contacts Only,” or “Everyone.” This simple process lets you quickly ascertain and adjust AirDrop’s functionality as needed.
Is Airdrop automatically turned on?
AirDrop is not automatically turned on because it starts accepting files from everyone without any action on your part. However, the feature is available and ready to use with default settings once you enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your Apple device.
Why can’t I activate Airdrop?
If you’re unable to activate AirDrop, ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled as both are required for AirDrop to work. Check if “Do Not Disturb” or Airplane Mode is active, or if Personal Hotspot is turned on, as these settings can interfere with AirDrop. Verify that both devices are compatible with AirDrop and are running the latest operating system versions.
Adjust your AirDrop visibility to “Everyone” if it’s set to “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off,” and make sure the devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other. If these steps don’t help, restarting both devices or checking firewall settings on a Mac may resolve the issue. If problems persist, consider seeking assistance from Apple Support.
Why Won’t I appear on Airdrop?
If your device isn’t showing up on AirDrop, ensure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled as AirDrop relies on these to function. Check your AirDrop settings to see if it’s set to receive from “Everyone” instead of “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off.” Make sure both devices are compatible with AirDrop, within about 30 feet of each other, and that neither is in “Do Not Disturb” or Airplane Mode.
Also, verify that Personal Hotspot is turned off. If the device’s screen is locked or asleep, it might not appear; ensure it’s awake and unlocked. Lastly, consider updating both devices to the latest operating system for optimal compatibility and resetting network settings if the issue persists. If these steps don’t resolve the problem, it may be time to seek help from Apple Support.
