AirDrop is by far the best way for Apple users to share files. If you are not yet familiar with it or are encountering problems, check out our iPhone tips this week!
Here’s how to use AirDrop and troubleshoot problems with it
Sharing photos or files between Apple devices is definitely best done with AirDrop. Provided it works of course. That’s why in this week’s iPhone tips we’ll show you exactly how to use AirDrop and what you can do if it doesn’t work.
Do you always want to stay informed of the latest tips for your iPhone? Then sign up for our newsletter so you discover new features every week!
1. How do you AirDrop a photo?
Airdropping a photo from your iPhone to another Apple device is the fastest sharing option available. The condition is that Bluetooth and WiFi are turned on and that both Apple devices are close to each other (maximum about 10 meters apart). Number one of these iPhone tips shows how to proceed:
- Open the photo, or select the photos, that you want to share;
- Tap the ‘Share’ icon;
- Tap the ‘AirDrop’ icon;
- Tap the Apple device you want to AirDrop the photo to.
A notification will now appear on the recipient’s Apple device asking them to ‘accept’ or ‘decline’ the AirDrop. If you are the recipient yourself (on another device where you are logged in with your Apple ID), this message will not appear.
2. This way a stranger can AirDrop to you
Number two of these iPhone tips will help you when a stranger wants to AirDrop a photo to your iPhone. By unknown we mean someone who is not in your contact list. You will notice that this is not easy. This is because AirDrop is set to ‘Contacts Only’ by default. You change this as follows:
- Open the Settings app;
- Tap ‘General’ and then ‘AirDrop’;
- Tap ‘Everyone for 10 minutes’.
3. This is how you disable AirDrop
There are all kinds of reasons why it’s a good idea to disable AirDrop altogether. For example, when you go to busy public places. It often happens that people who have enabled AirDrop are sent all kinds of unwanted photos.
And even if you have to be careful with your battery life, turning off AirDrop is a good idea. Your iPhone will then not constantly search for nearby Apple devices, which will certainly benefit your battery life. That’s why in number three of these iPhone tips, we’ll show you how to turn off AirDrop:
- Open the Control Center (swipe down from the top right);
- Long press the large block at the top left;
- Tap AirDrop and choose Receive from.
4. Here’s what you can do when AirDrop isn’t working
When AirDrop doesn’t work, there can be many reasons. And it is not at all certain that it is due to the settings of your iPhone. But there are a number of things you can try to solve the problem.
- Latest iOS version: Software updates also fix problems. Therefore, always check whether you have installed the latest version on your iPhone. You do this via ‘Settings>General>Software update’.
- Bluetooth and WiFi: AirDrop works via Bluetooth and WiFi. It is therefore important that both Apple devices are connected to the same wireless connection. You also need to make sure that Bluetooth is turned on. You can try turning off Bluetooth and WiFi for a while and then turning them back on.
- Personal hotspot: It is important that your personal hotspot is turned off. This can interrupt the WiFi network.
- Restart Apple devices: If the problem is with your iPhone, a restart often works wonders. The same actually applies to all Apple devices that you want to use AirDrop on.
- Turn on AirDrop in Finder on your Mac: Trying to send files to a Mac and having trouble? Manually turning on AirDrop is a possible solution. To do this, open the Finder on your Mac and click ‘AirDrop’. Your Mac is then actively discoverable by other devices.
More iPhone tips?
Did you like these iPhone tips and want more? On iPhoned you can read useful tips and tricks for your iPhone every week. Check out the most recent tips below!
-
iPhone tips: How to use and troubleshoot AirDrop
-
7 tips if you want to use social media less
-
Print screen Mac: this is how you take a screenshot or print screen
-
This way you prevent the iPhone from blinding you at night
-
WhatsApp guide: these are the best tips for your iPhone