One of the benefits of owning multiple Apple-branded devices is the shared experience. Photos you take on an iPhone show up on a linked Mac or iPad. you may evensend text messageswithout picking up your phone.
Sharing files between these devices is just as easy, and you don’t need the cloud or an external drive. This guide shows you how to AirDrop from your iPhone to a Mac.
If you’re new to the Apple ecosystem, AirDrop is the company’s proprietary ad-hoc platform for wirelessly transmitting data between supporting devices. you’re able to send any file type at any size.
Here are the requirements:
Enable AirDrop in MacOS
First, you need to make sure AirDrop is ready for business on the Mac. Since it’s on the receiving end, it must be discoverable.
Step 1:OpenFinderand selectAirDroplisted on the left.
Step 2:Click on theAllow me to be discovered byoption located at the bottom in small text.
Step 3:SelectOne of twooptions on the drop-down menu:Contacts OnlyorEveryone.
Note:For theContacts Onlyoption, both devices must be signed in to iCloud. Also, the Mac must have the email address or phone number that’s associated with the sender’s iCloud account stored in the Contacts app.
Generally, if you’re sending files between your iPhone and your Mac, you won’t see a prompt to accept the incoming file(s). However, if friends and family are trying to AirDrop files, you’ll likely see a prompt to approve the transmission. The same goes for when you selectEveryonein the AirDrop settings.
Now let’s make sure the Firewall isn’t blocking incoming connections.
Step 4:OpenSystem Preferences.
Step 5:SelectSecurity & Privacy.
Step 6:Click theFirewalltab.
If the Firewall is off, you can stop here. If it’s on, move to the next step.
Step 7:Click theLockin the bottom left corner and enter your password to unlock the settings.
Step 8:Click theFirewall Optionsbutton.
Step 9:DeselectBlock All Incoming Connections.
Step 10:ClickOKto finish.
Enable AirDrop in iOS 14
If you want to send files from a Mac to your iPhone, the latter device must be discoverable.
Step 1:OpenSettingsand tapGeneral.
Step 2:TapAirDrop.
Step 3:Tap one of two options:Contacts OnlyorEveryone.
Note:For theContacts Onlyoption, both devices must be signed in to iCloud. Also, the iPhone must have the email address or phone number that’s associated with the sender’s iCloud account stored in the Contacts app.
Generally, if you’re sending files between your iPhone and your Mac, you won’t see a prompt to accept the incoming file(s). However, if friends and family are trying to AirDrop files, you’ll likely see a prompt to approve the transmission. The same goes if you selectEveryonein the AirDrop settings.
AirDrop from an iPhone to a Mac
With everything good to go, here’s how to send a file from your iPhone to a Mac.
Step 1:Find the item that you want to send to a Mac.
Step 2:Tap theSharebutton. It resembles a box with an up arrow.
Step 3:Tap theAirDropicon on the following screen. It’s a blue radar-like icon set against a white backdrop. Alternatively, you can just tap on the discovered Mac’s icon displayed on the first row, if available.
Step 4:On the following screen, tap on theReceiving device.
Step 5:TapDonelocated in the top right corner to exit AirDrop.
By default, anything you AirDrop to a Mac goes to theDownloadsfolder.
AirDrop from a Mac to an iPhone Method 1
You can AirDrop files toanynearby iPhone. However, if you selected theContacts Onlyoption when setting up AirDrop, the recipient iPhone must be logged in to iCloud and its associated email address or phone number is stored in the Mac’s Contacts app. TheEveryoneoption lets any Mac send a file to your iPhone. In both cases, the receiver typically must approve the transmission.
Step 1:Find the item that you want to send to an iPhone.
Step 2: Click on theShareicon. It resembles a square with an up arrow.
Step 3:SelectAirDropon the drop-down menu.
Step 4:Select the receiving device in the pop-up window.
AirDrop from a Mac to an iPhone Method 2
Step 2:The discovered iPhone should appear within the window. Drag and drop any file on the iPhone’s icon.
