This FAQ covers everything you need to know about turning on AirDrop on your Apple devices, including step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting, and common questions. Whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you'll find clear answers to get AirDrop working quickly.

What is AirDrop and how does it work?

AirDrop is a built-in feature on Apple devices that allows you to wirelessly share photos, documents, and more with nearby Apple devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It creates a peer-to-peer connection that is encrypted and does not require an internet connection.

To use AirDrop, both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and they need to be within about 30 feet of each other. AirDrop uses Apple's Continuity feature to automatically detect nearby devices, and you can choose who can see your device and send you files.

How do I turn on AirDrop on my iPhone or iPad?

To turn on AirDrop on an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (on models with Face ID) or swiping up from the bottom (on models with a Home button). Then, press and hold the network settings card (the one with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons) and tap the AirDrop button.

You will see three options: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone for 10 Minutes. Choose Contacts Only for privacy or Everyone for a short time to allow anyone nearby to send you files. After selecting, AirDrop is enabled.

How do I turn on AirDrop on my Mac?

To turn on AirDrop on a Mac, open Finder and click AirDrop in the sidebar. If you don't see it, go to the menu bar and select Go > AirDrop. Then, at the bottom of the AirDrop window, set Allow me to be discovered by to either Contacts Only or Everyone.

Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your Mac. If AirDrop isn't working, check that your Mac's firewall is not blocking incoming connections, and that your Mac is not too old to support AirDrop (Macs from 2012 or later generally support it).

Why is AirDrop not showing up or turning on?

If AirDrop is not showing up or won't turn on, it's usually because Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is disabled, or because your device doesn't support AirDrop. First, check that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on in Settings (or System Preferences on Mac).

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and ensure it is set to Contacts Only or Everyone. If AirDrop is still not working, restart your device, turn off Personal Hotspot (if on), and make sure Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is not blocking it. For Macs, check that your firewall is not set to block incoming connections.

What are the differences between 'Contacts Only' and 'Everyone'?

Contacts Only limits AirDrop visibility to people in your Contacts app who are signed into iCloud, while Everyone allows any nearby Apple device to see and send you files. 'Everyone' is more convenient for file sharing with strangers, but it poses a privacy risk because anyone can send you unsolicited files.

For privacy, use Contacts Only. If you need to receive a file from someone not in your contacts, you can temporarily select Everyone for 10 Minutes (on iOS 16.2 and later) to limit exposure. After the time expires, it reverts to Contacts Only.

Can I turn on AirDrop without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

No, AirDrop requires both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be enabled on both devices because it uses Bluetooth for discovery and Wi-Fi for the actual file transfer. You don't need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, but the radios must be on.

If you turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, AirDrop will not work. However, you can use AirDrop over a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection even if you're not on an internet network, as long as both devices have the necessary hardware.

How do I turn on AirDrop for everyone temporarily?

To turn on AirDrop for everyone temporarily on an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center, press and hold the network settings card, tap AirDrop, and then select Everyone for 10 Minutes. This option is available on iOS 16.2 or later and automatically reverts to Contacts Only after 10 minutes.

On Mac, you can select Everyone in the AirDrop window, but it will stay that way until you change it. There is no temporary option on macOS, so you'll need to manually switch back to Contacts Only when you're done.

How do I fix AirDrop if it's not working after turning it on?

If AirDrop is turned on but not working, try these troubleshooting steps: ensure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and that they are within 30 feet of each other. Also, check that the receiving device is set to allow discovery from your sender type.

  • Restart both devices.
  • Turn off Personal Hotspot on either device.
  • Sign out and back into iCloud on both devices.
  • Check that Do Not Disturb or Focus is not enabled.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and ensure it is not blocking incoming connections.

If the problem persists, reset your network settings on iPhone or iPad (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings). Note that this will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords.