How to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone or iPad

Sep 7, 2017 - 16 Comments

AirDrop from Mac to iOS

Did you know you can use AirDrop to send pictures, videos, and files from a Mac to an iPhone or iPad? AirDrop between the Mac and an iOS device is fast and works very well, and it’s quite easy to use for wireless transmission of images, documents, and other data between different devices.

This tutorial will detail how to AirDrop between a Mac and an iPhone or iPad. Of course you can go the other direction as well, as we have previously discussed using AirDrop from an iPhone to a Mac and also how to AirDrop between two Macs to transfer data wirelessly, so you may be interested in reviewing those articles too for a thorough understanding of how this great feature works.

Requirements for using AirDrop from a Mac to iOS device are as follows: all of the devices must be within close proximity to one another, they must support AirDrop (all somewhat modern hardware does), and for best results you’ll probably want to update the iOS versions and Mac OS versions to the latest available. Bluetooth and wi-fi must also be enabled on all involved Mac, iPhone, and iPad too, but when you turn on AirDrop those features are enabled as well.

How to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone or iPad

Using AirDrop to send data between a Mac and an iOS device is a two step process. First you must enable AirDrop on the device that will receive the files or images, in this case that would be an iPhone or iPad. Then, from the Mac, you choose the file(s) or data that you wish to send and access AirDrop to send it over to the receiving iOS device. We’ll split the receiving and sending parts into two different sections for clarity:

Part 1: How to Ready AirDrop to Receive on iPhone or iPad

First, start with the iPhone or iPad that wishes to receive data over AirDrop.

  1. On the iOS device, access Control Center then tap on the AirDrop icon (it looks like a set of concentric circles with the slice cut out of the bottom)
  2. Enable AirDrop

  3. Choose to accept AirDrop Receiving from either “Contacts Only” or “Everyone” depending on who/what Mac you plan to receive AirDrop data from
  4. Enabling AirDrop in iOS

  5. AirDrop icon will turn blue highlighted to indicate the feature is enabled in iOS
  6. AirDrop enabled in iOS

Part 2: How to Send AirDrop Files from Mac to iPhone or iPad

Next, go to the Mac which has the data to send via AirDrop to the target receiving iPad or iPhone.

  1. Go to the Finder in Mac OS and choose “AirDrop” from the sidebar, in a moment the receiving iPhone or iPad will show up in the AirDrop list on the Mac
  2. Access AirDrop on Mac

  3. In a new Finder window, locate the files on the Mac you wish to send over AirDrop
  4. Now drag and drop the file(s) you wish to send from the Mac to the receiving iPhone or iPad as seen in the AirDrop window
  5. Drag and drop files in AirDrop to the iOS device to send AirDrop

Part 3: Receiving and Accessing AirDropped Data in iOS

Back to the iPhone or iPad receiving the AirDropped data, you will find one of a few things happen regarding where the AirDropped files go:

  • If the AirDropped data is a picture, image, video, or movie, it will appear in the Photos app in the Camera Roll, as you can see here with an amazing Windows 95 photo
  • AirDrop picture in iOS Photos app

  • If the AirDropped data is a different file type like a PDF, text document, archive, word doc, pages file, or similar, a pop-up will appear asking what you wish to open the AirDrop data with, or alternatively you can choose “Save to iCloud Drive” to store the AirDropped data in iCloud Drive
  • Receiving AirDrop files from Mac to iPad and iPhone as files

That’s it! As you can see AirDrop is super easy to use and very convenient, it’s one of the easiest ways to get data from Mac to Mac, from a Mac to an iPhone or iPad as described here, as well as AirDropping from iPhone to Mac too.

Once you’re finished using AirDrop, remember to turn off AirDrop again so that you aren’t leaving your AirDrop receiving open to anyone else, and also to prevent any unnecessary battery drain.

* Generally speaking, using AirDrop with “Contacts Only” is safer and recommended, but you must have the sender in your contacts list of the iOS device in order for them to see your AirDrop signal. Using ‘Everyone’ can be more compatible and a bit easier, but note that literally anyone can send you AirDrop data at that point if you leave that enabled, thus it’s best to turn off AirDrop after you are finished using it.

If you’re having any difficulty getting this working, remember to update iOS and Mac OS to new versions, enable BlueTooth and Wi-Fi, and be sure the devices are close together. Beyond that you can follow some AirDrop troubleshooting tips for iPhone and iPad, use AirDrop compatibility mode on the Mac, and be sure AirDrop is enabled in iOS so that it shows up.

Do you have any other AirDrop tips or tricks? Let us know in the comments below!

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Related articles:

Posted by: Paul Horowitz in iPad, iPhone, Mac OS, Tips & Tricks

16 Comments

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  1. VPN must be disconnected!

    It took some time before I remembered that this could be the cause of my failure to use AirDrop between my devices. And also to see to it that they were connected to the same wireless network, and both had got bluetooth turned on.

    I had to disconnect from my Virtual Private Network on both my iPhone X and on my Mac mini 2018, to make it work. But then AirDrop suddenly worked flawlessly.

    After the horrendous VPN-invation on all of our devices in 2019, AirDrop has unfortunately lost some of its conveniency and appeal.

    First we must remember to turn our VPN off on both devices. Then weʼll have to remember to turn it on again.

    It doesnʼt do so by itself; due to the third parties of the multitude of different VPN-providers involved.

  2. Ndriana says:

    FORGET AIRDROP! they advertise it as a super simple Apple device to Apple device solution but it never works.

    My iPad Pro doesn’t show in my 2012 iMac, that “search for old macs” thingy doesn’t show neither so there’s no way to Airdrop anything.
    I have a 2017 MBP which detects the iPad Pro. You’d think I could send the 2012 iMac’s file to it so I could then send the file from the MBP to the iPad Pro. Well, that sound a lot like a Microsoft experience to me. Please remind me why we buy these expensive Apple stuffs again?
    Anyway, that didn’t work neither because the 2012 iMac can’t find the 2017 MBP.

    Sure, fanboys will tell me that I should go there in the Pref Sys, check this button, download that, whatever. Again: that would be a total Microsoft kind of experience!!

    UX expected is —> I open Airdrop in Finder and I see all my macs and iDevices. I open Files in my iPad Pro and I see all my Macs Airdrops. Security? well there’s that ‘Contact only’ etc option.

    That used to be the kinda experience we had on Apple products. That’s why we were ready to pay more. But of course it doesn’t matters, fanboys are sooooo happy to send speaking poo emoji messages.

  3. christopher says:

    I have a MacBook Pro early 2011 and a new iPad Pro, and nowhere in this piece does it tell me that I can’t AirDrop from the laptop to the iPad. Had to find this out from a geek friend that only 2012 and later works…thanks Apple. Hours of frustration. Get it together.

    • Hi, Christopher!

      I am really wondering about your command of «getting it together»; because they already did so in 2012!

      Do you have a time machine available; or know of any, for Apple to use to be able to fix the computer that you bought in 2011?

      I do understand your frustration of owning an obsolete computer.

      Iʼm just extremely curious in relation to your logic:

      How can you blame Apple for your failure to buy an updated computer where AirDrop can be enabled?

      It wasnʼt introduced until the 2012-models. None of us has ever read any ads for it before it was released for sale.

      How can you blame Apple for not implementing a warning about missing future features in your old comuter? When you bought it; they werenʼt invented yet.

      When you know the turnover of the MacOS in relation to hardware; that you wonʼt be able to install the newest MacOS on their oldest computers; simply because they werenʼt built powerful enough. When they were new, MacOS was still light and fast enough for them to run.

      Why do you think that they continuously improve, to make you buy more stuff; and donʼt take a break to wait for you to save enough money to afford a usable computer?

      Is that what you mean by getting it together?

      If so, Iʼm afraid that you will get disappointed.

    • If you have updated your MacOS to the latest version available to your computer, have you ever tried using a bluetooth USB dongle to help AirDrop work?

      Like for expample this one, if you canʼt find any newer or cheaper:

      https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Accessory-Multifunctional-Hideez-Key/dp/B0792NSF7M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=%22bluetooth+usb+adapter+for+mac%22&qid=1581903611&sr=8-1-fkmr1&linkCode=sl1&tag=oxd-20&linkId=6f82e9c891601d4d53f1d220b6dac1b8&language=en_US

  4. no way says:

    I have tried unsuccessfully on multiple Macs and iDevices and have never got this to work. Another worthless OSX feature.

    From Mac to Mac, I just log into one from the other on the same network, works EVERY TIME, and sharing files couldn’t be simpler.

  5. Panduan says:

    I have tried above tutorial,
    when i activated my Wi-FI on my iPhone and MacBook.
    I didn’t see iPhone on AirDrop MacBook.

    MacBook Pro Early 2011 and iPhone 5S.

    There’s any solutin?
    Thank’s

  6. Jim Roberts says:

    Keep getting a message on my iPhone 7 “Connection unsuccessful. “MacBook Pro” is not supported? Say what??? Tried and starting over several times, same result.

  7. Humphrey says:

    Airdrop is really effective…… ONLY WHEN IT WORKS!

  8. Ogles of Kansas says:

    I use airdrop often when it works but sometimes it doesn’t which is annoying

  9. Larry Kaplan says:

    if you are on a connected network, drop the file into your iCloud drive??

  10. BuffyzDead says:

    Airdrop works perfectly on my iMac Late 2012 running macOS High Sierra Beta v 17A360a.

    In fact, I do not need to turn on Wifi or Bluetooth on my iPhone 7 (also running the latest OS11 beta), Only Airdrop.

    Wifi is on, on the iMac, though.

  11. Michael says:

    Airdrop never works for me and hasn’t for about 12 months. Im currently using beta which I imagine is the problem. My icon also looks different and is green when selected not blue. Does anyone else using the beta software have any more luck?

  12. Lynn says:

    I LOVE Airdrop and use it frequently… but I have found times when photos airdropped between iPhones and/or iPads do not all arrive!

    I have only ever airdropped photos so I can’t speak for documents or other files. But at least with photos – between mobile devices – I feel that it is important to check and double check that you got all that was sent.

    And if anyone has any tips or trouble-shooting info to help prevent this, I would love to hear it. Thanks!

  13. Steve Steele says:

    Does anyone know of a good USB Bluetooth dongle that would work in a 2010 Mac Pro (current OS), that supports modern Bluetooth LE, and hence AirDrop?

    I could just swap out the Bluetooth card (might as well, I’ve swapped out everything else), but I’d like to try a USB dongle first.

    Thanks

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