If you are wondering how to use airdrop, what are the compatible devices, what type of files allows us to share… you have come to the right place. In this article we are going to solve this and other questions you may have related to this Apple technology.
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is a protocol for sending files between iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac devices apple owner that uses the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection of the devices and without the need for an internet connection.
What kind of files to send with AirDrop
With AirDrop we can share any type of file, regardless of its size, although its main use is of the transfer photos from iphone to mac and vice versa.
AirDrop Requirements
In order to use AirDrop, the iPhone and iPad must be managed by at least iOS 8 or later and be one of the following devices:
- iPhone: iPhone 5 or later
- iPad: iPad 4th generation or later
- iPad Pro: iPad Pro 1st generation or later
- iPad Mini: iPad Mini 1st generation or later
- iPod Touch: iPod Touch 5th generation or later
If we want transfer content between an iPhone and a Mac, this must be managed by OS X Yosemite 10.10 and be one of the following models:
- MacBook Air from mid 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro from mid 2012 or later
- iMac from mid 2012 or later
- Mac Mini from mid 2012 or later
- Mac Pro from mid 2013 or later
If your iPhone or iPad is managed by iOS 7, you can only use AirDrop with other iOS devices, never with a Mac.
AirDrop also available as of OS X 10.7 Lion on the following Mac models but only to transfer files on any two Macs:
- Mac Mini from mid 2010 and later
- Early 2009 Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme Card, Mid 2010 or later.
- All MacBook Pro models after 2008 except the 17-inch MacBook Pro.
- MacBook Air after 2010 and later.
- MacBooks released after 2008 or newer excluding white MacBook
- iMac from early 2009 and later
How to set up AirDrop
Apple allows us to configure AirDrop in 3 ways:
- All. With the All option activated, any user in our environment can send us any type of file.
- Only contacts. With this option activated, you will only be able to receive files from the users that you have stored in your contact list.
- Reception disabled. As this option indicates, absolutely no one will be able to send you any type of file.
To select between the 3 available AirDrop modes, we must perform the steps that I show you below:
- We access the control panel by sliding your finger from the top right of the screen.
- We press and hold down the Wi-Fi icon.
- Then press and hold the AirDrop
- Finally, We select the mode that best suits our needs.
If your device is an iPhone 8 or earlier, to access the control panel, you must swipe from bottom to top and follow the same steps as above.
The first time we share content via AirDrop, the device that will receive the content you will have to accept it.
To consider
Once we know on which devices AirDrop is available and what are the minimum versions of iOS and OS X required on each device, we must take into account following:
- What the person with whom we want to share the content is near or within range of the Wi-Fi network to which we are connected or Bluetooth.
- Both devices must have both connections activated. If your iPhone has Personal Hotspot turned on, AirDrop won't work unless you turn it off first.
- Check that the recipient has the reception of files enabled.
- If you have no interest in sharing your contact details, ask them to activate AirDrop for Everyone.
Where files shared by AirDrop are stored
If we receive or share an image, it it will be automatically stored in the Photos app. If it is a link, it will open automatically in the default browser of our device.
When we receive a file, the device It will ask us with which application we want to open the file, application where the file will be stored.
How to use AirDrop between an iPhone and a Mac
If we want send a photo or video through an iPhone a Mac, we must follow these steps:
- We open the Photos application and we select all the photographs and videos that we want to transfer to the Mac.
- Next, click on the button share, and then in AirDrop and we wait until the name of our Mac is displayed among the options that are displayed.
- To send the content to the Mac, we just have to click on the name of our Mac and sit down to wait, especially if the number of photos and videos is very high.
If it is a file stored in any application, we must previously select it, click on the button Share > AirDrop > Mac Name
How to use AirDrop between a Mac and an iPhone
For send a file from a Mac to an iPhone or iPad, We will carry out the steps that I show you below:
- We place the mouse on the file that we want to share, and click on the right mouse button.
- Next, click on the option Share > AirDrop.
- Finally, we must turn on the screen of the iOS device for the Mac to detect it and select the device to which we want to send it.
Depending on the type of file we send to the iOS device, will be stored in the Photos app (if it is an image or video), sand it will open the browser (if it's a link), or It will ask us with which application we want to open it if it is not a file in a format that iOS recognizes.
How to use AirDrop between two iPhones
- We open the Photos application or select the file that we want to send to another iOS device.
- Next, click on the button share, then in airdop and wait until the name of the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is displayed among the options displayed.
- Finally, we must click on the device to which we want to send the file.
How to use AirDrop between two Macs
- We place the mouse on the file that we want to share, and click on the right mouse button.
- Next, click on the option Share > AirDrop.
- Finally, we must select the name of the Mac with whom we want to share the content.
