AirDrop is a means by which you can transfer just about anything from one Apple device to another. Using AirDrop, you can send photos, files, contacts, and more between your Macbook, iPhone, and iPad. But, how to turn on airdrop on mac?
AirDrop uses Bluetooth wireless technology. Sending information wirelessly via Bluetooth is secure and takes very little time or power. And best of all, it’s free! AirDrop is a native iOS app and comes included in all the big Apple devices, such as – Macs, iPads, and iPhones.
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop allows you to “drop” files into the “air” so that anyone can access them. Alternatively, you can drop things into a more private location and allow access to only specified users. Some of the things AirDrop on Mac can be used to share include videos, photos, Passbook passes, contacts, Map location, Memos, and anything that shows up on a Share Sheet.
When using AirDrop on Mac, you are given the option of choosing whether or not you want to enable AirDrop for your contacts or for everyone. Choosing to only let people in your contacts list view AirDrop files takes a little more work.
To share AirDrop files with specific contacts, you and your chosen contacts must be logged into iCloud (the native cloud-sharing service for Apple devices) and you must be listed in each other’s contacts.
Choosing the “Everyone” option requires less work but also allows anyone to AirDrop anything to you.
How to Turn on AirDrop on iPad or iPhone
Instantly sharing files via AirDrop on your iPad or iPhone can be done with ease.
That’s what AirDrop is for – quickly and easily sharing anything under the sun with anyone else who might be interested in seeing the things you want to share.
With one finger, swipe upward from the bottom of the screen (you can do this even if your device is locked). This will bring up the Control Center. Control Center houses the controls for things like your flashlight, timer, calculator, camera, music, screen mirroring, brightness and sound, and wireless capabilities.
The wireless capabilities include Bluetooth, cellular data, airplane mode, and AirDrop. [Note: If you have an iPhone X, you will have to swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access Control Center.]
Note
Once you have Control Center open, you now have to access AirDrop. To do this, press the wireless control box on the upper left side. The wireless control box looks like a small square with four icons in it. The icons are for Bluetooth, cellular data, wireless and airplane mode. To access the other options within the wireless control box, you have to open it. To open the wireless control box, simply press firmly if you’re on an iPhone 6 or newer model or press and hold for iPads and older iPhones.
In the expanded view of the wireless control box, you have now accessed, tap on AirDrop.
Finally, pick who you want to be able to send things to. In order to turn off receiving things through AirDrop, choose “Receiving Off.” This option is for when you want to send things to other people but not receive anything from them in return. To enable sharing with only people in your contacts list, choose “Contacts Only.” To enable sharing with anyone and everyone, select “Everyone.” If you do decide to only share with others in your contacts, make sure you’re logged into iCloud before turning on AirDrop on Mac.
How to Turn on AirDrop on Mac
If you’re on a Mac laptop or desktop, it’s even easier to Turn on AirDrop on Mac. All you have to do is:
Launch your “Finder”. You can do this by clicking the square-shaped white and blue face icon on the lower left of your screen or by typing the word “Finder” into Searchlight (the icon that looks like a magnifying glass in the upper-right of your screen)
In Finder, click on “AirDrop” in the left sidebar. Supposedly, the AirDrop icon is to represent a radio tower emitting radio waves through the air. In reality, it looks more like an upside-down Pac-Man that is grey when turned off and blue in turned on (note that in order to use AirDrop, you must turn on your wi-fi ). If you connect to your home router via Ethernet cable, you will need to enable wireless connectivity before proceeding further. AirDrop will prompt you to do this when trying to turn it on.)
Remember
After selecting the AirDrop icon, choose who you want to be “discovered by.” As with the iPad and iPhone, the easiest option is to choose “Everyone,” which is why Everyone is enabled by default. But if you intend on sharing private files, don’t do this! Click the downward-facing arrow to the right of “Everyone” and choose the contact who you’d like to turn on AirDrop on Mac for. If you don’t see who you’re looking for, it’s probably because they do not log into iCloud.
Note: Both of you must have wi-fi turned on, be logged into iCloud, have each other in both of your contacts’ lists, and have AirDrop turned on in order to AirDrop files to one another.
There you have it. That’s how to turn on AirDrop on Mac. Now all you have to do is use AirDrop on Mac to share content with others. That’s easy, too.
To AirDrop files from your Mac to another Mac, simply:
Turn on AirDrop on Mac. Do this for both devices as described above. When the corresponding user icons appear in the Airdrop drop-down list, drag and drop the files from your computer to the Mac you want to send the file to and then click “Send.”
On the Mac that receives the file, a notice will appear asking the user if they want to save the file or not. Click “Save” to begin the file transfer. The default location for saving files in this manner is the “Downloads” folder.
How to Turn on AirDrop on Mac – Summarized
Now You Know How to turn on AirDrop on Mac. It’s not too difficult how to turn on AirDrop on Mac.
Turning on AirDrop is similar across all Apple devices. It’s only a matter of accessing the AirDrop icon. On mobile, the icon is found in the Control Center. On Mac, the icon is found in Finder.
Once you have located the AirDrop icon on Mac or any other Apple device, all you have to do is choose who you want to be able to share files with.
The easiest option is to choose “Everyone.” By choosing “Everyone,” you won’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to someone else seeing what it is you’re attempting to share with them. Of course, you will have to worry about receiving “prank drops” from random people, as well as other people being able to see what it is you have shared.
Other Option on How to Turn On Airdrop on Mac
The other option is to select “Contacts” and choose someone in your contacts to share AirDrop files with. When you do this, remember that both of you have to log into iCloud in addition to being in each other’s contact lists. Doing things this way will be a little more difficult but ensures that other users cannot access your AirDrop files.
After you decide which way is best for you, you’re all set on how to turn on airdrop on Mac! You’re ready to begin your AirDrops. Simply drag and drop files into AirDrop and wait to receive them almost instantly. You can turn on AirDrop on Mac in order to send files to another Mac, another iPhone, or another iPad.