Usually, when we want to send photos to someone from our computer or phone, we use text messages, email, or a social media messenger. However, if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, sending files, photos, or videos to someone is much easier. Instead of sending a text or email, you can use AirDrop. Here’s how to turn on AirDrop, how to turn it off, how to AirDrop from an iPhone to a Mac, and the other way around.
What is AirDrop?
When it comes to file management, Apple fans have had it easy. Ever since Apple debuted AirDrop in OS X Lion, way back in July of 2011, moving files around your linked desktop and laptop systems. AirDrop is generally a tap away on iOS, but on the Mac it’s a bit more complicated to get there. IOS offers a quick sharing interface with specific destinations-including devices via AirDrop.
AirDrop is a way for macOS and iOS devices toshare files wirelessly. It uses Bluetooth to create a WiFi connection from oneApple device to another.
No Airdrop On Ipad
How to Turn On Airdrop on iPhone or iPad
- To turn on AirDrop, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen. This will take you to the Control Center.
- Press and hold the WiFi button. This will open a WiFi folder in Control Center.
- Then tap AirDrop.
- Finally, select who can AirDrop to your device. If you select Contacts Only, you will only receive files from people in your Contacts list. If you choose Everyone, anyone can transfer files to you via AirDrop. Once this is set, AirDrop will be turned on in your device. That’s how to turn on AirDrop on your iPhone.
How to Airdrop from an iPhone to a Mac
- Make sure that both iPhone and Mac have their Bluetooth and WiFi turned on.
- Open a file on your iPhone that you want to AirDrop.
- Tap the Share button. This is the icon that looks like a box with an arrow pointing up.
- Then tap AirDrop.
- Choose the Mac device that you want to AirDrop the files to. If the user profile of the recipient Mac is in your Contacts list, you will see an identifying label and photo by the top of the window. If the recipient Mac is not in your Contacts list, you will see a gray circle with the Mac account’s initials under it.
- The files will then be sent to the Mac’s downloads folder.
How to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone
- Open the file in your Mac that you want to AirDrop.
- Click the Share button in Finder. If you don’t see the Share button, hover to the top toolbar of the window until you see the Share button.
- From the sharing options listed, choose AirDrop.
- Finally, double click the iPhone recipient from the AirDrop sheet. If you are sharing a photo or video, it will be sent to the Photos app on the iPhone.
Alternatively, you can also follow the stepsbelow to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone:
- Open Finder. This is the half-blue and half-gray face icon in your Dock.
- From the sidebar, clickon AirDrop. If you don’t see AirDrop, select Finder and hitthe Command + Coma keys on your keyboard at the same time. Then click theSidebar tab and check the box next to AirDrop.
- Drag the files that youwant to AirDrop onto an iPhone recipient.
How to Turn Off Airdrop on your iPhone oriPad
- Swipe up from the bottom bezel of your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap and hold the WiFi icon.
- Then tap AirDrop.
- Select “Receiving Off” to turn off AirDrop.
How to Turn Off Airdrop on your Mac Computer
- Click Finder or thehalf-blue and half-gray app.
- Select AirDrop from the leftsidebar. If you don’t see AirDrop, select Finder and hitthe Command + Coma keys on your keyboard at the same time. Then click theSidebar tab and check the box next to AirDrop.
- Select “No One” from the“Allow me to be discovered by” options.
Now that you know how to turn on AirDrop, it is much simpler to send and receive files with other Apple users near you. If you are running out of space on your smartphone, check out our guide on how to free up space on your iPhone.
Updated on January 27, 2020
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AirDrop is the pre-installed and ad-hoc data transfer service for Mac OS (Mac OS X 10.7 and later) and iOS ( iOS 7 and later) operating systems. In our last page, we have talked about how to use AirDrop on Mac and how to use AirDrop to transfer files between iPhone and Mac. Here, on this page, we will continue discussing how to AirDrop from iPad to Mac or how to AirDrop from Mac to iPad in the vice versa. You can use AirDrop to sync contacts, music, notes, photos, etc. between iPad and Mac simply. Besides, the EaseUS MobiMover Free is offered in the last part to transfer files between iPad and Mac without iTunes or iCloud anymore.
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Part 1. AirDrop Files from iPad to Mac | Turn on AirDrop > Open the Photos app...Full steps |
Part 2. AirDrop Data from Mac to iPad | Switch on AirDrop > Open the Music app...Full steps |
Part 3. Transfer All Files Without AirDrop | Connect the iPad to the Mac > Choose a feature...Full steps |
How to AirDrop from iPad to Mac (photos/videos/contacts/music)
Airdrop For Mac Download
To use AirDrop to transfer files from iPad to Mac, you need to turn on AirDrop on both two devices as well as connect the devices to a stable Wi-Fi network and enable Bluetooth.
How to turn on AirDrop on Mac
- Open your Mac, go to Finder and choose Go in the menu bar.
- Choose AirDrop on the left side of the window.
- Set the Allow Me to be discovered by option as Everyone or Contacts Only.
How to turn on AirDrop on iPad
- In iOS 10 or earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen to open Control Center. Tap on AirDrop and set your iPad to be discovered by Contacts Only or Everyone.
- In iOS 11: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen to open Control Center. Press deeply on the module where Airplane Mode locate in. Tap on AirDrop and set to be discovered by Contacts Only or Everyone.
How to transfer files/photos from iPad to Mac
Here, we show you how to use AirDrop to transfer photos from iPad to Mac. If you need to know how to AirDrop contacts from iPhone/iPad to Mac or how to AirDrop videos from iPad to Mac, you can link to the related pages.
1. Open the Photos App on your iPad.
2. Select the photos you want to AirDrop from iPad to Mac.
3. Click the Share button and tap AirDrop.
4. Choose your Mac, and the AirDrop transfer will begin. When the process finished, go to your Mac screen, and tap Accept to receive the photos from iPad.
How to AirDrop from Mac to iPad with ease
The way to use AirDrop to transfer data from Mac to iPad in the vice versa is similar to that of AirDrop from iPad to Mac. Tips below displays how to transfer music from Mac to iPad with AirDrop. To know more about how to AirDrop photos from Mac to iPhone/iPad, check the corresponding page.
1. Open the Music App on your Mac. Play the song needs to be transferred, then click the built-in Share button.
2. Click the Airdrop and choose your iPad to start the data transfer.
Turn On Airdrop Ipad
3. Next, go to iPad and tap Accept on the pop-up to save the music on your device.
How to transfer files between iPad and Mac with EaseUS MobiMover Free
EaseUS MobiMover Free is the best AirDrop alternative to help you transfer data from iPad to Mac or add content from Mac to iPad. You can use MobiMover to import photos, movies, TV shows, music videos, playlists, music, ringtones, audiobooks, contacts, notes, and Safari bookmarks from Mac to iPad without iTunes for free unlimited. Following guides teach you how to move data from Mac to iPad, if you need to back up and export iPad files to Mac, you can check the link at the beginning of this paragraph. Moreover, EaseUS MobiMover also enables you to transfer data from one iOS device to another in a direct way.
- Notice
- Please makes sure your Mac is running Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), 10.8 (Mountain Lion), 10.9 (Mavericks), or 10.11 (El Capitan).
Airdrop From Macbook To Ipad
Step 1. Connect your iPad to your Mac, and click 'Trust' when a prompt appears on your iPad asking you whether to trust this computer > Run EaseUS MobiMover and choose 'Mac to Phone' to move data from Mac to iPad > Click on the 'Select Files' to move on.
Step 2. Go to browse the files you want to transfer. After choosing the desired files, click 'Open'.
Airdrop From Ipad To Mac Pro
Step 3. You can preview the selected files on the right pane, with their detailed file names and file sizes. To add more items to transfer, you can click 'Add Contents' or directly drag files or folders from your Mac to the appointed area. Finally, click 'Transfer' to start transferring the content from your computer to the iPad. Don't disconnect your iPad while transferring. MobiMover enables you to move lots of data at a time without any quantity and size limitation.