How to Turn On AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

AirDrop is the easiest and fastest way to share files between Apple devices. You can easily transfer photos, contacts, links, documents, notes, Apple Maps locations, and more between nearby Apple devices. Before you send or receive items, you have to turn on AirDrop. If you’re new to the Apple ecosystem, you must be thinking about how to turn on AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Thankfully, it’s a super easy process that even beginners can master in seconds. This quick guide will tell you how to get AirDrop to work on your Apple devices. Without any ado, let’s begin!

How Does AirDrop Work?

Apple’s AirDrop uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to identify nearby Apple devices and transfer items between them. You can choose to accept files from everyone, or just from people who are in your contacts list. Also, you can choose to block all incoming AirDrop requests, so your Apple device can’t receive or send files over AirDrop.

Apple AirDrop offers three levels to control the visibility of your device:

• Receiving Off: You can’t receive files from anyone.
• Contacts Only: Only your contacts can discover you.
• Everyone for 10 Minutes: All nearby Apple devices can see you.

If you select Receiving Off, AirDrop won’t receive files on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. So, you must choose Contact or Everyone for 10 Minutes to exchange files using AirDrop.

Turn AirDrop On or Off on iPhone & iPad

It’s super easy to turn on and use AirDrop on your iPhone and iPad. You can do it right from the Control Center or head to the Settings app. We’ve mentioned both ways below:

Method 1: Using Control Center

The Control Center offers the quickest way to turn on or off AirDrop on iPhone and choose who can send files to you over AirDrop. Here’s how to turn on AirDrop in Control Center:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner on your iPhone screen to bring up the Control Center.
2. Now, long-press anywhere in the network block that contains Airplane mode, Mobile Data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth icons.
3. Now, tap on the AirDrop icon and select either Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
4. The AirDrop button should now turn Blue, indicating that it’s enabled.

Method 2: Using Settings app

Another way to turn AirDrop on iOS devices is using the Settings app. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the General section.
2. Here, tap on AirDrop and choose the discoverability type that’s suitable for you.

Turn On AirDrop on Mac

Just like iPhone and iPad, it’s super easy to turn on AirDrop on your Mac. Since AirDrop uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to exchange items, you must enable them on your device. Otherwise, you’ll be asked to turn them on when you try to send a photo, file, or any other item.

There are three ways to turn on AirDrop on a Mac. Let check them out at a time.

Method 1: Using Control Center

The latest macOS versions also feature a Control Center, allowing you to quickly enable and adjust AirDrop settings on Mac.

1. On your Mac, click on the Control Center icon from the Menu Bar.
2. Here, click on the AirDrop icon to turn it on or off. If the icon is blue, it means AirDrop is enabled.

3. To choose your AirDrop setting, click on the small arrow icon next to AirDrop and then choose Contacts or Everyone depending on your preference.

Method 2: Using System Settings

The older versions of macOS do not feature a Control Center. In such cases, you can use the System Settings app or Finder to enable AirDrop on Mac.

1. Open System Settings from the Dock and visit the General section from the left sidebar.
2. Click on AirDrop & Handoff.

3. Now, click on the drop-down menu next to the “AirDrop” option and choose Contacts or Everyone.

Method 3: Using Finder

1. Open Finder from the macOS Dock and click on the AirDrop tab from the left sidebar.
2. Here, click on the drop-down menu next to Allow me to be discovered by.
3. Select Contacts Only or Everyone.

That’s how you can turn on or off AirDrop on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Whether you activate it using Control Center, Settings app, or Finder (Mac only), you should be able to send and receive files. In case you can’t exchange files, visit our dedicated guide on how to fix AirDrop not working problems.