On modern smartphones we can very well exchange files without using any cables, using different apps dedicated to the purpose. If we own an iPhone we probably don't need any additional app, since it is possible to take advantage of AirDrop technology to exchange files, Web pages and documents with other Apple devices (a MacBook, an iMac, an iPad or another iPhone). If we are a beginner with an Apple device, in this guide we will show you how to take advantage of AirDrop on iPhone, so that you can transfer files (and not only) using only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection (for pairing). At the end of the guide we will be able to quickly exchange our files with friends and transfer photos, images, videos and documents from our iPhone to another Apple device (and vice versa).
READ ALSO: Fast ways to transfer files between Windows and Mac computers
Prerequisites to take advantage of AirDrop
Unfortunately, not all Apple devices are compatible with AirDrop technology, but only those that have received iOS 7 or later (on mobile devices) and OS X Yosemite or later (on computers and notebooks).Furthermore, it is necessary to leave both Wi-Fi (even if we are not connected to any wireless network) and Bluetooth turned on, because both technologies are essential in order to associate and exchange files between devices with AirDrop support: Bluetooth is needed to recognize nearby devices, while Wi-Fi will be used for the actual file transfer (via Wi-Fi Direct).
If we have a doubt about the presence of AirDrop on our iMac or MacBook, we can remove it by opening the Go menu in the top bar of the desktop and checking for the presence of the AirDrop item.
If instead the doubt grips us on our iPhone or iPad, simply open the control panel (swipe from the bottom edge to the top or from the right corner to the bottom), hold down on the Wi-Fi button and check the presence of the AirDrop entry.
How to use AirDrop from iPhone to Mac
In order to send a file from iPhone to a Mac (iMac or MacBook) all we have to do is go to the Mac, click on Go at the top and click on AirDrop; the specific Finder window will open, where we will also be asked to activate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (if they were not already active).Once the Mac is ready, let's go to our iPhone, activate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth then go to the control center, hold down the Wi-Fi button and enable the AirDrop item.
A window will open where we can configure AirDrop sharing, choosing between All or Contacts only.
Once AirDrop is configured, we are ready to transfer any content from the iPhone to the Mac: all we have to do is press the Share button (present on Safari but also on the File app, on the document management apps and on the media management apps ) and choose the Mac in the AirDrop section in the sharing menu (at the top).
Once the sharing has started, we will see a warning appear on the Mac with a preview of the content sent; we will only have to accept to start the transfer. All files transferred with AirDrop to Mac will be displayed in the Downloads folder.
How to use AirDrop from Mac to iPhone
If instead we wanted to transfer a file from Mac to iPhone, all we have to do is prepare the two devices as seen at the beginning of the guide, then right click on the file to share and use the Share -> AirDrop item in the context menu.
The file will be copied to the AirDrop folder, we will only have to confirm by pressing Send, choose the iPhone as the recipient and wait for the transfer. Obviously we can move the file directly into the Finder AirDrop folder, so we can organize all the files to be sent to our iPhone. Based on the content, the files received from the iPhone will be moved to a specific folder or opened with a specific program: for example, websites will open in Safari, images will end up in Photos and generic files will end up in the Downloads folder of the Files app.
AirDrop is also present in the Safari app and in many it opens Apple signed apps on the Mac: we will only have to access the sharing menu in order to take advantage of this powerful sharing tool.
How to use AirDrop from iPhone to iPhone
To conclude, we will show you here how to use AirDrop to quickly share files between two iPhones. If the other iPhone is already part of our Apple account, all we have to do is activate the functionality on both, share any file and choose the name of the other iPhone in the list of shares.If, on the other hand, the receiving iPhone was a friend of ours (in the address book), we open the Settings app, go to General -> AirDrop then configure AirDrop sharing on Contacts only .
After this configuration we share the file or site as previously seen (using the Share button). If the receiving iPhone is from a recently known person to whom we want to send the file, we configure AirDrop in Everyone mode, so that we can view any nearby Apple device (with AirDrop active). Let's be very careful when we set this mode, since we can send important files to an Apple device that has nothing to do with it (after the transfer, better disable this mode and go back to Contacts only, for greater security).
Conclusions
AirDrop is probably one of the least used tools on the iPhone, despite its great potential: by configuring it properly we can quickly share any type of content (video, audio, photos, websites etc.) between our Apple wireless devices, with the possibility of also send content to our friends, colleagues and relatives.If we want to get the same functionality on Android and on a PC with Windows or we are looking for valid alternatives to AirDrop on iPhone, we recommend you read our guide guides on how to transfer files between Android phones (via bluetooth or wifi) and on how to send files between PC and Android (mobile or tablet) in wireless wifi .
