AirDrop is a proprietary ad hoc service in Apple Inc.’s iOS and macOS operating systems, introduced in Mac OS X Lion (Mac OS X 10.7) and iOS 7, which can transfer files among supported Macintosh computers and iOS devices by means of close-range wireless communication. This communication takes place over Apple Wireless Direct Link ‘Action Frames’ and ‘Data Frames’ using generated link-local IPv6 addresses instead of the Wi-Fi chip’s fixed MAC address.
With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send your photos, videos, websites, locations, and more to other nearby devices and Mac computers (iOS 7, iPadOS 13, OS X 10.10, or later required). AirDrop transfers information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—both must be turned on. To use AirDrop, you need to be signed in with your Apple ID. Transfers are encrypted for security.
Send an item using AirDrop
- Open the item, then tap
, Share, AirDrop, 
, or another button that displays the app’s sharing options. - Tap
in the row of share options, then tap the profile picture of a nearby AirDrop user.
, Share, AirDrop, 
, or another button that displays the app’s sharing options.
in the row of share options, then tap the profile picture of a nearby AirDrop user.
If the person doesn’t appear as a nearby AirDrop user, ask them to open Control Center on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and allow AirDrop to receive items. To send to someone on a Mac, ask them to allow themselves to be discovered in AirDrop in the Finder.
To send an item using a method other than AirDrop, choose the method—for example, Messages or Mail—from the row of sharing options (options vary by app). Siri may also suggest ways to share with the people you know by displaying their profile pictures and icons representing sharing methods.
You can also use AirDrop to securely share app and website passwords with someone using an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or a Mac.
Allow others to send items to your iPhone using AirDrop
- Open Control Center, touch and hold the top-left group of controls, then tap .
- Tap Contacts Only or Everyone to choose who you want to receive items from.You can accept or decline each request as it arrives.Note: The Contacts Only option is available on devices with iOS 10, iPadOS, macOS 10.12, or later. If AirDrop is set to Contacts Only on your device with an earlier software version, select the Everyone option in Control Center to receive items by AirDrop. You can choose the Everyone option when using AirDrop and disable it when not in use.
