Quickly share a phone number with a friend or send an interesting podcast. With AirDrop, Apple users can quickly and easily share files with each other. In this starter guide, we’ll help you set up and use this feature.
AirDrop: Get started quickly with this getting started guide
Does your household use Apple? Or does your group of friends mainly consist of iPhone owners? Then AirDrop is by far the easiest way to share files with each other. In this starter guide, we consider everything you need to know. Are you short on time? Tap on one of the links below to go directly to the relevant section of this manual.
Index:
- What is it?
- Activate
- How do you share files?
- Personalize AirDrop
1. What is AirDrop?
Sending files super fast and easy: that’s AirDrop in a nutshell. With this function you can effortlessly share apps, contacts, documents, photos, locations, music, podcasts, videos and even entire websites with (other) iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. So AirDrop only works between Apple devices.
There are, however, a number of things that you should take into account. For example, AirDrop only works when the person you want to send something to is nearby, because the file sharing uses bluetooth and wifi. So both you and the recipient must have these options enabled. Also, the recipient must be open to receiving materials, as explained in point 3 of this starter guide.
Also read: 5 file types you can share with AirDrop at lightning speed
2. Activate AirDrop
Using AirDrop is child’s play. Before you can start sharing files, you just need to activate the function. On an iPhone or iPad, the fastest way to do this is via the Control Center:
- Unlock the iPhone / iPad and swipe up from the bottom of the screen;
- Press and hold the block at the top left with the icons for bluetooth and wifi, among other things;
- You should now see AirDrop appear: tap the icon;
- Choose whether you want to enable the function for everyone or only contacts.
Do you want to use AirDrop on an Apple computer? Which can. Follow the directions below to enable AirDrop for Mac:
- Make sure the computer is unlocked and turn on bluetooth and wifi, if not already;
- Open the Finder and click AirDrop in the navigation pane;
- Choose whether you want to enable the function for everyone or only contacts.
Also useful: Tip: Share files even faster with AirDrop in your Mac dock
3. How does AirDrop work?
Do you have a file that you want to share with someone nearby? That is very simple. From the app you are currently using, tap the ‘Share’ button, identified by the square with an arrow pointing to the ceiling.
Depending on which app you are using, you can tap AirDrop directly, or you may have to press ‘Share with’ first. Then you indicate with whom you want to share the photo, song or website in question. Of course you can tick several people.
When someone shares something with you, you will see a warning on your iPad, iPhone or Mac. This notification states what someone wants to send to you. It is then up to you to approve this request, but you can also decline the AirDrop invitation. The material enters the app from which it was sent. You can find photos in the Photos app, for example.
Are you sharing something between your own Apple devices, such as a photo from your Mac to your iPhone? Then of course you do not have to accept this AirDrop request. The picture will be sent immediately. Just make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices. That way, Apple knows that you own both products and therefore no permission is required.
4. Adjust settings
Are you dealing with a prankster who sends unsolicited files via AirDrop? You can do something about this! You can decide for yourself who can send things to your Apple device. On an iPhone, open the Settings app and then tap ‘General’.
Choose ‘AirDrop’ and then specify who can share files with you. You can also turn AirDrop off completely. You can also adjust these settings via the Control Panel, as we already showed in step 2 when activating.
Read more: How to prevent unwanted AirDrops to your Apple device
More about Apple’s way of sharing files
In general, we are enthusiastic about AirDrop, but the file sharing function is of course not completely perfect. So you can sometimes run into problems. File sharing not working? Then read our article on what to do when AirDrop does not work.
In this guide, we’ll consider possible solutions for when you run into problems. Want to read more helpful Apple tips? Sign up for our newsletter, or download the free iPhoned app for your iPhone and iPad!
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