What is Apple AirDrop and how do I use it? - Airdrop Iphone

How to use AirDrop?

I've long been a fan of Apple's AirDrop feature, which lets you send a photo, file, or website address to anyone nearby, even if you're not connected to the internet. Now Windows users can enjoy the same convenience, with the April 2018 update's Nearby sharing capability.

The feature uses Bluetooth and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, meaning you don't even need to be connected to a Wi-Fi router, let alone to the internet, to transfer files. As you'll see below, Nearby sharing isn't a separate feature but an option on the share panel, just like Apple.

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Setup is easy, so if you have some files you want to share with a nearby PC, do yourself a favor and give Nearby sharing a try. Here's how.

This article originally appeared on pcguides. Tech.

Start the Process- apple airdrop.

Using Airdrop on your Apple device is easy, but the process for turning the feature on and off varies between a Mac and an iOS device.

AirDrop is a neat little trick you can use to quickly and easily share files of all kinds between Apple devices, including photos, videos, contacts, map location, and more. The feature uses Bluetooth technology to locate nearby compatible devices and helps you share data over Wi-Fi. Here's how to use AirDrop on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Activate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

The first thing you need to do is make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both enabled on your device (and your personal hotspot is turned off). You can check the status of these services in the Control Center of your iOS device by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (swipe up from the bottom for older iPhones). Mac users can check both services at the Menu Bar in the upper-right corner of the screen. You don't have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network; AirDrop just uses the signal to transfer data.

Turn on AirDrop on iOS.

Make sure AirDrop is turned on for your device so you can send and receive files with other people. Navigate to Settings > General > AirDrop to turn it on. You can choose to enable the service to work with just your contacts or with everyone who might be nearby.

To use the Contacts Only option, both devices must be registered with iCloud, and each user must be in the other's contacts. The Everyone option may sound insecure. But AirDrop lets you choose whether or not to accept a file from someone, so you can always block the transfer. Receiving Off means no one can send you anything through AirDrop.

Select AirDrop Destination

If you want to share a file via your iPhone or iPad, just open it in the appropriate app and tap the Share icon. You will then see a list of nearby people able to receive the file. Choose the person you want to share with, and he or she receives a notification. Once the file is on that person's device, AirDrop will tell you that it has reached its destination. The sent file then automatically appears in the appropriate app.

Restrict AirDrop on iOS.

You can block AirDrop so a child or someone not authorized to use your device cannot share files. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to on. Then tap Allowed Apps and toggle AirDrop to off.

Turn On AirDrop on the Mac

MacOS lets you interact with AirDrop from any window in Finder. Open Finder and click AirDrop on the side navigation panel. The service will immediately scan for nearby devices, but you can choose who you want to be able to see you. Make sure this option is set to either Contacts Only or Everyone and you're good to go.

To share between a Mac and iOS device, your Mac has to be from 2012 or later (excluding the mid-2012 Mac Pro) and running OS X Yosemite or later. The iOS device needs to be running iOS 7 or later.

How to AirDrop Files on Mac

There are different ways to send files using AirDrop on a Mac. The easiest method is to simply drag and drop the file into the AirDrop window or the name on the navigation bar. You can also right-click and choose Share > AirDrop before selecting the person. Just like on iOS, you can also tap the Share button on a file, select AirDrop, and pick the destination.

Turn Off AirDrop on the Mac

Turn off AirDrop the same way you turned it on. Go to Finder > AirDrop, then select Allow me to be discovered by, and choose No One.