How to use AirDrop on Mac

It was a nice afternoon. My mom and I were sitting quietly having a cup of tea when she squeaked up from her seat and began digging through a drawer like a movie detective. "Where's the cable?" she sighed in complete frustration, trying to figure out just how to get those holiday snaps on her Mac. I smiled and said, "Mom, you do not have to search for cables, I'll teach you how to use AirDrop to send items." We spent some time on this interesting feature, and yes, I can really tell you that there was a light bulb above her head.

That's how this article was born. 

Good news! I've organized the solutions in this article to help you find the best tools quickly and easily:

How does AirDrop work?

Let's first understand how this magic works and whether all Mac, iPhone, and iPad users can take advantage of it.

AirDrop uses Bluetooth for creating a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network between devices, ensuring your files travel securely and swiftly. No internet connection needed — everything happens offline. 

If you want to know how to AirDrop efficiently, keep these things in mind: 

• Device and functions. You must have a Mac, iPhone, or iPad with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• OS version. Anything later than iOS 7, iPadOS 13, or OS X 10.7 Lion will work.
• Distance. AirDrop allows you to share files easily, but be sure you're close to the person you're sending to. It won't work if you're too far apart, like trying to send a file to someone across the street. Stay within 30 feet, and you'll be good to go.

Now, let's finally move to the instructions on how to activate AirDrop on various Apple devices.

How to turn on AirDrop on Mac

Before you start, pop into the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to double-check both are on — kind of like checking for shoes before leaving the house.

Here's how to turn on AirDrop on Mac:

1. Open Finder (you know, that friendly face in your Dock).
2. Click Go in the menu bar > AirDrop.
3. In the open window, adjust the Allow me to be discovered by setting to Everyone or Contacts Only.

   

That's how you start AirDrop!

How to turn on AirDrop on iPhone/iPad

Are you using an iPhone or iPad? 

Here is how to turn on AirDrop on iPhone/iPad:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X or later) or up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to open Control Center.
2. Hard press or long-press the network settings box, then tap AirDrop.
3. Pick Contacts Only or Everyone. If you picked Everyone, remember — you might receive unexpected interpretive dance videos.

   

That's how you find AirDrop on iPhone and enable it. You're finally ready to share your first file using AirDrop.

How to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone

You can use just one way to airdrop from Mac to iPhone, but I'll show you a few. Choose the most convenient for you.

Using right-click in Finder:

1. On your Mac, select your file in Finder.
2. Right-click and click Share > AirDrop.
3. Choose your iPhone from the options. Voilà!

   

Using the sidebar:

1. With a file open on your Mac, drag it over to the Finder sidebar.
2. Hover over AirDrop.
3. Drop it once your iPhone appears.

   

Adding AirDrop to the Finder's toolbar:

1. In Finder, click View.
2. Click Customize Toolbar.
3. Drag the AirDrop icon into the toolbar area of Finder.

Now, it's just a click away, like magic.

iBoysoft® MagicMenu's extension:

My favorite method. Ready? If you want to save time and realize one click for airdropping documents, photos, videos, links, and other content from your Mac to a nearby iPhone, iPad, another Mac, and iPod touch, get iBoysoft® MagicMenu.

It eliminates the need to open the Finder, then drag and drop the target item onto the AirDrop window, or right-click and choose Share > AirDrop. To transfer files, just right-click the target file or folder on your Mac and choose AirDrop from the shortcut menu.

Here's how to use the app:

1. Download, install, and open iBoysoft MagicMenu.
2. Click Extension on the left sidebar of the main application interface.
3. Find AirDrop in the extension list, then click the Download button next to AirDrop to quickly download and install AirDrop from your shortcut menu.

   

Done! After enabling iBoysoft AirDrop to your right-click menu, you can finally enjoy the one-click file airdropping on your Mac.

Using Dropzone app:

Another super fast way to airdrop from Mac to iPhone is to use the Dropzone app. I simply start dragging an image or a set of images on my Mac. When I see the Dropzone icon, I drop my image(s) to this icon. 

AirDrop a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file

Sometimes, when you're working in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you want to use AirDrop to transfer your file right from the application, so you don't have to waste time searching for it in the Finder. It's easy to do. Here's how:  

1. Find the Share button in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and click it.
2. You'll be presented with sharing options. Choose Send a Copy.
3. In a new box, click the sharing icon and choose AirDrop.
4. When a window with nearby devices appears, select the device to which you want to AirDrop your file.

   

How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac

Finally, let me show you how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac:

1. Open the Photos or Files app and tap Share.
2. Tap the AirDrop icon. Confirm that AirDrop is enabled.
3. Choose your Mac from the AirDrop list. Easy peasy!

   

Why AirDrop is not working on my Mac

When you can't get AirDrop to turn on, or it doesn't work smoothly, make sure that both of your devices are running the latest software. Restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Sometimes, a little toggle does wonders.

For more detailed fixes, check out this guide on how to fix AirDrop not working.

How to AirDrop faster: Now you know

Throughout this article, I've shared various methods to get the most out of AirDrop. Personally, I find Dropzone and iBoysoft® MagicMenu to be fantastic tools for making the process so much easier. They're fast, save time, and are a breeze to use. Plus, both are available on Setapp, with a 7-day free trial to boot. AnyTrans for iOS and CleanMyMac, as mentioned in this article, are also on Setapp, a multi-app, single-subscription platform with access to 250+ Mac, iOS, and web tools for almost any task you can imagine. Get your free trial today to increase productivity, streamline workflow, and get things done faster.