How to turn on AirDrop [with pictures]

Want to share a photo with another iOS device? Why not try AirDrop! AirDrop enables iOS devices and Macs to flawlessly transfer data wirelessly. And you’ll learn how to turn on AirDrop in your iPhone and Mac in this post.

What is AirDrop
How to turn on AirDrop on iPhone/iPhone/iPod touch
How to turn on AirDrop on Mac
Sending or receiving content via AirDrop

What is AirDrop

Apple has introduced AirDrop in iOS 7 and Mac OS X 10.7. AirDrop is an ad-hoc service that allows you to transfer data, such as photos, videos and files, between Macs and iOS devices using Bluetooth and WiFi.

AirDrop is supported on iPad 4 and later, iPad Mini 1 and later, iPhone 5 and later, iPod 5 and later, and Macs. So any of the supported devices can transfer files to each other using AirDrop. But if you want to transfer between a Mac and an iOS device, it has to be Mac OS X 10.10 or later and iOS 8 or later.

Note that before starting AirDrop, you should check the following:

Make sure the device you’re sending is nearby and whthin the Bluetooth and WiFi range.
Make sure to turn off Personal Hotspot if it’s turned on.

How to turn on AirDrop on iPhone/iPad/iPod touch

For iOS devices, there are several methods to turn on AirDrop quickly and easily.

Method 1: Turn on AirDrop in the Control Center

The AirDrop feature can be found in the Control Center in your iOS device.

Note: the screenshots below come from iOS 12.

1) Open Control Center on your iPhone.

If you’re using iPhone X or later, swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.

If you’re using iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center.

2) Tap and firmly press the network settings area on the upper left.

3) Tap AirDrop.

4) Choose the option to turn on AirDrop:

Receiving Off: You won’t receive AirDrop requests.
Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
Everyone: All nearby iOS devices using AirDrop will see your device.

You can choose Contacts Only or Everyone depending on yourself.

5) Then AirDrop has been turned on in your iOS device.

Method 2: Turn on AirDrop in Settings

You can find the AirDrop settings and turn it on in the Settings app.

To do so:

1) Open the Settings app in your iOS device.

2) Go to General > AirDrop.

3) Choose the option to turn on AirDrop:

Receiving Off: You won’t receive AirDrop requests.
Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
Everyone: All nearby iOS devices using AirDrop will see your device.

You can choose Contacts Only or Everyone depending on yourself.

4) Then AirDrop has turned on.

After enabling AirDrop, you can transfer content via AirDrop.

If you want to turn off AirDrop, just follow the same steps and choose “Receiving Off” and AirDrop will be turned off.

How to turn on AirDrop on Mac

For Macs, you can turn on AirDrop following these steps:

1) On your Mac dock, click Go on the top, then click AirDrop.

2) If you didn’t turn on Bluetooth or WiFi in your Mac, you’ll need to click Turn on Bluetooth or Turn on WiFi first.

3) The AirDrop window will open and it will search for the nearby iOS devices and Macs in which AirDrop is turned on.

4) At the bottom of the window, choose the option for Allow me to be discovered by:

Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
Everyone: All nearby iOS devices using AirDrop will see your device.

Then you can drag and drop the content you want to transfer to the AirDrop device in the window.

Sending or receiving content via AirDrop

Once turn on AirDrop, you can directly transfer anything that can be transferred.

If you want to transfer a photo on your iPhone:

2) Make sure both devices has turned on AirDrop.

2) Open the Photos app and find the photo you want to share.

3) Tap the Share button.

4) Tap the recipient device listed under Tap to share with AirDrop.

5) Then the other device will receive a notification, and tap Accept to accept the photo.

If you want to transfer a photo on your Mac:

You can directly drag and drop the content to the device name you want to transfer to. Or you can transfer via the Share feature:

1) Open the content you want to share, and click the Share button.

2) You’ll see several options to share, then choose AirDrop.

3) Choose a recipient from the AirDrop list, then click Done.

4) The recipient will receive the content with a notification. Click Accept to accept the content.

So that’s it. Hope this post helps when it comes to AirDrop. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave us a comment below.

By Lillian Lai

Lillian, a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), is a technology enthusiast, longing to share the technical tips and solutions to computer problems. Also as a person who enjoys writing, she’s found the perfect match for writing and technology. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her either reading or playing mobile games.

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