AirDrop is Apple’s built-in way to wirelessly share photos, videos, documents, links, contacts, passwords, and other content between nearby Apple devices. It works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac without requiring a messaging app or cloud storage service.
AirDrop uses Bluetooth to discover nearby devices and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to transfer files. The connection is encrypted, and the recipient normally has to accept the transfer before anything is shared.
What Is AirDrop?
AirDrop is a file-sharing feature built into compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac models. It lets you send content directly to another Apple device nearby.
You can access AirDrop from the Share menu in apps such as Photos, Files, Safari, Maps, and Contacts. The available sharing options depend on the app and the type of content.
How Does AirDrop Work?
AirDrop uses Bluetooth Low Energy to discover nearby devices and establish the initial connection. The actual file transfer takes place over a direct peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection.
This means the devices do not normally need a wireless router or internet connection. Once a recipient is selected, AirDrop establishes an encrypted connection and transfers the selected content.
Does AirDrop Need the Internet?
Normally, no. AirDrop can transfer files between nearby Apple devices without an internet connection.
There is one newer exception. On supported software, an AirDrop transfer that has already started can continue over the internet if the devices move out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range. Apple also provides an option to disable cellular data for AirDrop.
What Can You Send With AirDrop?
AirDrop can share many types of content, including:
- Photos and videos
- Documents and PDFs
- Files
- Websites and links
- Contacts
- Locations
- Notes and other app content
- Passwords and passkeys
You can also use AirDrop to transfer content between your own Apple devices.
Can You AirDrop Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac?
Yes. AirDrop works between compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
For example, you can send photos from an iPhone to a Mac, transfer a PDF from a Mac to an iPad, or send a video from an iPad to an iPhone.
When transferring between your own devices signed in to the same Apple Account, the transfer can be automatically accepted and saved.
How Do You Use AirDrop?
On an iPhone or iPad, open the content you want to share, tap the Share button, select AirDrop, and choose the nearby device or person.
On a Mac, select a file, click Share, choose AirDrop, and select the recipient. You can also open AirDrop in Finder and drag a file onto the recipient.
The receiving device will normally show a request that can be accepted or declined.
Who Can Send You AirDrop Files?
AirDrop lets you control who can discover your device.
On iPhone and iPad, you can turn receiving off or choose between Contacts Only and Everyone for 10 Minutes. Mac provides similar controls for AirDrop discovery.
These settings can be changed when needed, such as when sharing with someone who is not saved in your contacts.
What Is the AirDrop Code?
Newer versions of Apple’s software add an extra verification step when sharing with someone who is not in your contacts.
With iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2 or later, the recipient may need to generate an AirDrop code and provide it to the sender before the transfer can continue.
This gives the recipient an additional way to confirm that a transfer from an unknown contact is intentional.
Is AirDrop Secure?
AirDrop is designed to protect transfers using encryption and identity verification.
The recipient normally has to approve an incoming transfer, while AirDrop’s discovery process helps determine who is allowed to see and connect to the device.
Your receiving settings also control who can send AirDrop requests, so the feature does not make your files openly accessible to nearby devices.
How Far Away Does AirDrop Work?
Apple recommends keeping AirDrop devices within about 30 feet, or 10 meters, of each other.
Physical obstacles, wireless interference, and the surrounding environment can affect the connection. Keeping the devices close together generally provides a more reliable transfer.
If the devices move out of range during a supported transfer, the newer internet-based continuation feature can allow the transfer to finish.
Where Do AirDrop Files Go?
AirDrop does not send every type of content to the same location.
Photos and videos normally appear in the Photos app. Documents and other files may be saved to Files or opened in the appropriate app.
On Mac, many AirDrop files are saved in the Downloads folder.
Does AirDrop Reduce Photo or Video Quality?
AirDrop is designed to transfer original files rather than compressing them in the same way some messaging services do.
That makes it useful for moving high-resolution photos, large videos, and other files where preserving the original quality matters.
Can You AirDrop Large Files?
Yes. AirDrop can transfer large videos, high-resolution photos, PDFs, documents, and groups of files.
Transfer time depends on the size and number of files, the devices involved, and wireless conditions. A large collection can take considerably longer than a single photo.
Can You AirDrop to Android or Windows?
No. AirDrop is Apple’s file-sharing system and does not natively work with Android phones or Windows PCs.
For transfers between Apple devices and Android or Windows, you will need another option, such as cloud storage, a USB connection, a messaging service, or another cross-platform file-sharing tool.
Can You AirDrop Passwords and Passkeys?
AirDrop can also be used to share saved passwords and passkeys between compatible Apple devices.
Credential sharing has additional requirements. For example, Apple requires the people involved to be in each other’s contacts and have the relevant Apple Account information saved in their contact cards.
Why Is AirDrop Not Working?
If AirDrop is not working, check the basic connection and receiving settings first.
Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and are close to each other. Check that AirDrop receiving is enabled on the destination device.
If the device still does not appear, try turning AirDrop off and back on, unlocking the receiving device, moving the devices closer together, or restarting them.
Apple also recommends checking that Personal Hotspot is turned off because it can interfere with AirDrop.
Why Can’t I See Someone in AirDrop?
A person may not appear because their AirDrop receiving setting is disabled or restricted to contacts.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth may also be turned off, the devices may be too far apart, or the software may require an AirDrop code because the recipient is not in your contacts.
Checking AirDrop settings on both devices is a good first step when someone does not appear.
AirDrop vs. iCloud Drive
AirDrop is designed for sending content between nearby devices, while iCloud Drive stores files in the cloud so they can be accessed across devices.
Use AirDrop when you want to quickly send a file to a nearby Apple device. Use iCloud Drive when you want the file to remain available across your devices or accessible later.
AirDrop vs. Messages
AirDrop is intended for nearby transfers, while Messages is designed for communicating and sharing content remotely.
AirDrop can be more practical for large files when the recipient is physically nearby because the content can be transferred directly between the devices.
Is AirDrop Available On Every Apple Device?
AirDrop is available on compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac models, but requirements vary depending on the device and feature.
Some newer AirDrop capabilities also require newer versions of Apple’s operating systems. For example, AirDrop code verification requires iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, or macOS 26.2 or later.
