How to Download AirDrop on Your iPhone and Transfer Files Fast
How to Download AirDrop on iPhone
AirDrop is a feature that lets you wirelessly send and receive photos, videos, websites, locations, and more with other nearby Apple devices. It's fast, easy, and secure. You can use AirDrop to share files between your own devices, or with your friends and family. In this article, you'll learn how to download AirDrop on your iPhone, how to turn it on and off, how to send and receive items with AirDrop, and how to troubleshoot some common issues with AirDrop.
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Requirements for Using AirDrop on iPhone
Before you can use AirDrop on your iPhone, you need to make sure that you meet the following requirements:
Compatible Devices and Software Versions
AirDrop works on iPhones that have iOS 7 or later installed. You can also use AirDrop with other Apple devices that have iPadOS 13, macOS 10.10, or later versions. To check your software version, go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone. To update your software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings
AirDrop uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transfer data, so both of them must be turned on. You don't need to connect to a Wi-Fi network or pair your devices with Bluetooth, but you need to have them enabled. To turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone. You can also use Control Center to toggle them on and off.
Apple ID and Contacts
To use AirDrop, you need to be signed in with your Apple ID on your iPhone. You can check your Apple ID by going to Settings > [your name]. To sign in or create an Apple ID, go to Settings > Sign in to your iPhone.
You also need to have the contact information of the person you want to share with in your Contacts app. If they are not in your Contacts, you can ask them to set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone, which we'll explain later.
How to Turn On AirDrop on iPhone
Once you have met the requirements for using AirDrop, you can turn it on and start sharing items with other devices. Here's how:
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Using Control Center
The easiest way to turn on AirDrop is by using Control Center. Control Center is a menu that gives you quick access to some common settings and features on your iPhone. To open Control Center, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen if you have an iPhone X or later model, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen if you have an iPhone 8 or earlier model.
Once you open Control Center, press and hold the section that displays the airplane mode, wireless, cellular, and Bluetooth icons. Then tap the AirDrop icon. You'll see three options: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. Choose the option that suits your needs. Receiving Off means you won't receive any AirDrop requests. Contacts Only means you'll only receive requests from people in your Contacts app. Everyone means you'll receive requests from anyone nearby who has AirDrop turned on.
Choosing Who Can See Your Device
When you turn on AirDrop, your device will be visible to other nearby devices that have AirDrop turned on. You can choose who can see your device by changing your device name. To do this, go to Settings > General > About > Name on your iPhone. Enter a name that is easy to recognize, such as your own name or a nickname.
Adjusting AirDrop Settings in the Settings App
If you prefer, you can also turn on and adjust AirDrop settings in the Settings app. To do this, go to Settings > General > AirDrop on your iPhone. You'll see the same three options as in Control Center: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. Tap the option that you want to use.
How to Send Items Using AirDrop on iPhone
Now that you have turned on AirDrop, you can start sending items to other devices. You can send almost anything that you can see on your iPhone screen, such as photos, videos, contacts, notes, web pages, maps, and more. Here's how:
Sharing from Different Apps
To share an item with AirDrop, open the app that contains the item you want to share. For example, if you want to share a photo, open the Photos app. Then tap the item to select it, or tap Select to choose multiple items. Next, tap the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a list of options for sharing the item, including AirDrop.
Choosing an AirDrop User to Share With
When you tap AirDrop, you'll see a list of nearby devices that have AirDrop turned on and are within range (about 30 feet or 9 meters). The devices will be labeled with their names and icons. If the device belongs to someone in your Contacts app, you'll also see their photo and contact name. Tap the device that you want to share with. The item will be sent to that device.
Using Spatial Audio to Find Nearby Devices (supported models only)
If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or later model that supports spatial audio, you can use this feature to find nearby devices more easily. Spatial audio creates a 3D sound effect that makes it seem like the sound is coming from the direction of the device. To use spatial audio with AirDrop, you need to wear AirPods Pro or AirPods Max headphones. Then follow these steps:
Open Control Center and press and hold the volume slider.
Tap Spatial Audio to turn it on.
Open the app that contains the item you want to share and tap the Share icon.
Tap AirDrop and move your iPhone around to hear where the nearby devices are located.
Tap the device that sounds closest to you to share the item.
How to Receive Items Using AirDrop on iPhone
When someone sends you an item with AirDrop, you'll see a notification on your iPhone screen asking you to accept or decline the request. Here's how to receive items with AirDrop:
Accepting or Declining AirDrop Requests
If your AirDrop receiving setting is set to Contacts Only, you'll only see requests from people in your Contacts app. If it's set to Everyone, you'll see requests from anyone nearby who has AirDrop turned on. To accept or decline a request, do one of the following:
If your iPhone is unlocked, tap Accept or Decline on the notification.
If your iPhone is locked, swipe left on the notification and tap Accept or Decline.
If you don't want to receive any more requests from that person, tap Decline and Block.
Finding the Received Items in Different Apps
When you accept an AirDrop request, the item will be saved in a different app depending on what type of item it is. For example, photos and videos will be saved in the Photos app, contacts will be saved in the Contacts app, web pages will be opened in Safari, and so on. You'll see a message telling you where to find the item after you accept it.
Sharing App and Website Passwords Securely with AirDrop
AirDrop can also be used to share app and website passwords securely with other devices. This can be useful if you want to log in to an app or w