How to Use AirDrop Between iPhone and Mac

Want to move a photo, video, or document from your iPhone to your Mac without sending yourself an email? AirDrop from iPhone to Mac makes this easy. It sends files wirelessly between nearby Apple devices.

You do not need a cable or a separate app. Once AirDrop is ready on both devices, you can share an item in a few taps and find it on your Mac. The steps below explain how to set it up, send your first file, and fix common problems.

What you’ll need

• An iPhone and a Mac that support AirDrop.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on on both devices.
• Both devices close to each other, ideally within about 30 feet (10 meters).
• Your Apple Account details, if you want to check that both devices are signed in to the same account.

AirDrop is Apple’s wireless sharing feature. It uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to find nearby devices and transfer items.

Step 1: Get your iPhone and Mac ready

Before sending anything, check that both devices are ready to see each other.

1. Place your iPhone near your Mac.
2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on both devices. They do not necessarily need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on both devices.
4. If you are sending files between your own devices, check that both are signed in to the same Apple Account. This can make transfers between your devices simpler because they may be accepted automatically.
5. Keep the devices awake while you set up the transfer.

On your iPhone, you can check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in Settings, or open Control Center and check the controls there. On your Mac, use Control Center in the menu bar to check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Good to know: AirDrop is designed for nearby Apple devices. Keep your iPhone and Mac within about 30 feet (10 meters) while starting the transfer.

Step 2: Make your iPhone discoverable with AirDrop

Your Mac needs permission to find your iPhone. You can choose who is allowed to send items to it.

1. On your iPhone, open Control Center. On most recent iPhones, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. If your iPhone has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.
2. Touch and hold the group of controls in the top-left corner. This group usually contains Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
3. Tap AirDrop.
4. Choose Contacts Only if your Mac is signed in with an Apple Account whose contact details are saved in your iPhone’s contacts. Otherwise, choose Everyone for 10 Minutes while you make the transfer.
5. Leave this setting available until the transfer is complete.

You can also find the setting in Settings > General > AirDrop. The available choices can vary with your iPhone’s software version.

Tip: Choose Everyone for 10 Minutes only when you need it, especially if you are in a public place. You can return to Contacts Only afterward.

Step 3: Make sure AirDrop is available on your Mac

Now check the receiving settings on your Mac.

1. Click Control Center in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
2. Click AirDrop. If you do not see it straight away, look for it in the Control Center options.
3. Make sure AirDrop is turned on. On supported versions, click the arrow or open the AirDrop options to choose who can discover your Mac.
4. Choose Contacts Only if your iPhone is recognized as one of your contacts. If it is not, choose Everyone temporarily.
5. You can also open Finder, then click AirDrop in the sidebar to bring up the AirDrop window.

If you cannot see AirDrop in the Control Center, use the Finder method. Open a Finder window and select AirDrop in the sidebar.

Step 4: Send a photo or file from your iPhone to your Mac

Once both devices are ready, you can send almost any item that has a Share button.

1. On your iPhone, open the app containing the item. For a photo or video, open the Photos app. For a document, open the app or Files where it is stored.
2. Open the photo, video, or document you want to send. You can select more than one item if the app allows it.
3. Tap the Share button. It usually looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.
4. Tap AirDrop in the sharing options. If you do not see it, swipe through the app options or tap More if it is available.
5. Wait for nearby devices to appear. Tap the name or icon for your Mac.
6. Watch your Mac for a notification or an AirDrop request. If the devices use the same Apple Account, the transfer may be accepted automatically.

If a code is requested, follow the on-screen instructions. Your receiving device may show an AirDrop code that you need to enter on the sending device. This is an additional check used by recent software versions in some situations, such as when the sender is not in your contacts.

Careful: Check the device name before tapping it. If other Apple devices are nearby, make sure you select your own Mac.

Step 5: Find the item on your Mac

After the transfer finishes, check where the item was saved.

1. If you sent a photo or video from Photos, open the Photos app on your Mac and look for the new item.
2. If you sent a document or another file, open Finder.
3. Click Downloads in the Finder sidebar. Many files received by AirDrop are saved there.
4. If you sent the item to an app that can open it directly, check that app as well.

The destination can depend on the type of item and the app you used to send it. If you are not sure where it went, use Finder’s search field and enter the file name.

Troubleshooting: Why can’t my iPhone find my Mac?

If your Mac does not appear in the AirDrop list, or the transfer does not finish, try these checks.

Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Both must be turned on on both devices. You do not need to join the same Wi-Fi network, but the wireless features must be available.

Check AirDrop visibility. Set the receiving device to Contacts Only or temporarily to Everyone. If you use Contacts Only, make sure the Apple Account email address or phone number associated with the sender is saved in the recipient’s contact card.

Move the devices closer. Keep them within about 30 feet (10 meters) and try again.

Unlock the devices. Wake your iPhone and Mac, then repeat the transfer. Also check that the Mac’s AirDrop window is open if you are using Finder.

Try a smaller transfer. If you selected many large videos, send one item first to see whether AirDrop is working.

Restart and try again. If the devices still cannot find each other, restart both and repeat the steps.

If the menus on your devices look different, search for AirDrop in Settings on your iPhone or check Control Center and Finder on your Mac. Menu wording and the available receiving options can vary by software version. On some recent versions, a person who is not in your contacts may be asked to use an AirDrop code before the transfer can continue.

Good to know: When you have finished sharing, set your iPhone’s AirDrop receiving option back to Contacts Only if that is your preference.

Enjoy easier sharing between your devices

AirDrop is a simple way to move photos, videos, and documents from your iPhone to your Mac. Once Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the receiving settings are ready, sharing usually takes only a few taps.