Need to share photos, videos or files across your Apple devices? AirDrop is the quickest and easiest way to get the job done without using the internet. Here’s our guide for turning on AirDrop and how to use it.

It's a way to instantly send files, photos or videos from one Apple device to another without using your internet or mobile data. It uses Bluetooth to connect your devices to each other and then the WiFi signal between the two devices to move the file quickly and safely without using the internet. 

If you want to share that group selfie with a fellow iPhone user nearby, AirDrop is the perfect way to share it in seconds (as long as you both have AirDrop enabled).  

From photos and videos to locations and voice memos, you can AirDrop almost anything you fancy, giving you the freedom to share and receive almost anything between your Apple devices with ease. 

It works by using both Bluetooth and WiFi to send information from one Apple device to another without using the internet. When you turn on AirDrop, your iPhone, iPad or Mac starts looking for other Apple products that also have AirDrop turned on. Once it finds one nearby, the two products make a secure connection so you can send information between them. 

The whole process might look something like this: 

1. You turn on AirDrop 
First, both people need to turn on AirDrop on their Apple devices and have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled. The devices don’t have to be on the same WiFi network for AirDrop to work, but they do need to be close to each other. 

2. Your device finds the nearby device 
Once AirDrop is on, your device starts looking for other nearby Apple devices that also have AirDrop enabled. If the other person’s device is visible and ready to receive files, it will show up in the list of available devices. 

3. You choose and send the photo, video or file 
Next, you choose what you want to send – like a photo, video or contact – and tap the share button. From the share options, you pick the person’s device. A message will pop up on their screen asking if they want to accept the file. 

4. The recipient accepts and receives the file 
The person receiving the file must tap "Accept" for the transfer to begin. Once accepted, the file is sent quickly over a private WiFi connection. Their device will automatically open in the right app – like Photos for pictures or Files for documents. The whole process is fast, safe and doesn’t use the internet. 

Even though AirDrop uses WiFi, it doesn’t need the internet. It simply uses the WiFi signal between the two devices to move the file quickly and safely. This makes it faster than sending files over email or messaging apps, especially for big files like videos or lots of photos.

The simplest way to turn on AirDrop is from your iPhone, iPad or Mac Settings. Go to the Settings app and tap General and then AirDrop from the list of options. From there, choose Contacts Only or Everyone depending on who you’re sharing the file with. 

You can also turn on AirDrop from the Control Centre if you’re using an iPhone or iPad or from Finder if you’re using Mac. Here's how: 

Turning on AirDrop on iPhone or iPad 

To turn on AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad, you'll first need to open the Control Centre by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen. If your device has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen instead. 

Then follow these steps: 

1. Open the Control Centre by swiping down (top-right) or up (bottom)
   

2. Press and hold the WiFi icon
   

3. Tap the AirDrop icon
   

4. Select Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 minutes

Turning on AirDrop on Mac 

To turn on AirDrop on your Mac, you'll first need to open a Finder window. The Finder icon is the smiley face in the Dock at the bottom of the screen. 

Once you've done that, follow these steps: 

1. Click the Finder icon (the smiling face) in the bottom dock
   

2. Click AirDrop in the sidebar (It’s usually near the top left of the Finder window)
   

3. Choose Everyone or Contacts Only for 10 minutes at the bottom of the window 

Before you turn AirDrop on, make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled on both devices you're sending and receiving from. AirDrop won’t work if either is off, so check that both icons are blue (which means they’re on).

Once AirDrop is turned on, using it to send files is easy: 

1. Select the file you want to send
   

2. Tap the Share button 
   

3. Tap on the AirDrop icon 
   

4. Choose the recipient 
   

5. Wait for the recipient to accept 

If the recipient accepts, the file will be transferred instantly. This can take anywhere from a couple of seconds to a few minutes, depending on the size of the file and the number of files you're transferring.

If you want to accept files on AirDrop, you simply need to enable Bluetooth, WiFi and AirDrop and wait for someone to send you a file: 

1. Make sure AirDrop is turned on 

2. Wait for someone to send you something

3. Tap  'Accept' 

Once you tap Accept, the file will transfer and you’ll see it in the related app. Website links will open in Safari, for example and shared photos will appear within the Photos app.

You have a number of options at your disposal when managing AirDrop settings. 

You can control who sees your device by visiting Settings, then General. Or by revisiting the options in the Control Centre. As mentioned, you can choose to share with Contacts Only, Everyone or you can even switch to Receiving Off.

If you want to block AirDrop altogether, you can do so using Screen Time restrictions. This can be especially useful if you’re keen to add parental controls to your child’s Apple device. To do so: 

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone

2. Scroll down to find Screen Time

3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

4. Select Allowed Apps

5. Tap the AirDrop On/Off slider until the switch is greyed out

You can easily re-enable AirDrop by following the above steps again. 

AirDrop is usually very fast. Most of the time, it only takes a few seconds to send a file, like a photo or a short video, especially if the devices are close together. For small files like contacts or notes, it can feel almost instant. 

The time AirDrop takes depends on a few things. If you’re sending a large file, like a long video or a batch of photos, it might take a little longer – maybe a minute or two.

Speed can vary depending on how far apart the devices are and how strong the WiFi and Bluetooth connections are. Make sure you're in a strong network area and keep your devices next to each other for a smooth and speedy AirDrop.