Share Files with AirDrop in El Capitan
- AirDroid allows you to access and manage your Android phone or tablet from Windows, Mac or the web, wirelessly, for free. Calls, SMS, and the app notifications you allowed, mirrored to the large.
- AirDrop is generally a tap away on iOS, but on the Mac it’s a bit more complicated to get there. Further reading: Best NAS boxes for media streaming and backup iOS offers a quick sharing.
Getting files from an Android device to a Mac or iOS device is not always easy or convenient, and the same goes for transferring content from a Mac or iOS device to an Android device. But we're here to tell you there is a better way than using USB cables, email, and cloud storage, and it gives you the look and feel of AirDrop. To check whether AirDrop works on your Mac, just take a look at the Go item in the Menu bar – if AirDrop is listed there, you can use it. Choose AirDrop in the Go menu to open the AirDrop.
Once upon a time, moving electronic files from one computer to another required cables, know-how, and fair dose of determination. Now-a-days we have options like the Messages app, email, and Dropbox, as well as Apple’s AirDrop ①.
Prior to Yosemite, AirDrop simplified transferring files between Macs on the same network, and later between iOS devices in close range of each other, too. Now, AirDrop takes on the whole kit-n-caboodle, promising instant sharing between Macs, iPhones, and iPads with just a few taps or clicks…if you have the right hardware.
Check the Requirements
To use AirDrop between a Mac and an iOS device, your Mac and iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch must meet the stringent Handoff Requirements. As is the case with Handoff, this cool feature is available only to people with recently-made devices.
If you just want to use AirDrop Mac to Mac, you can get away with older hardware; see this Apple article for details. However, some features covered in this chapter, like limiting discoverability to contacts only, won’t work.
Turn On Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
AirDrop uses Bluetooth to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network between devices. With that in mind:
- Ensure all devices have Wi-Fi turned on. (They don’t have to be on the same network.) On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Network, click Wi-Fi, and click Turn Wi-Fi On ②. On an iOS device, tap Settings > Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi.
- Check that Bluetooth is turned on. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the Turn Bluetooth On button. On an iOS device, tap Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth.
- Bring devices into Bluetooth range—no more than 33 feet (roughly 9 meters) away—the closer the better.
Get Ready to Share
- On your Mac, Click AirDrop in a Finder window’s sidebar, or choose Go > AirDrop (Command-Shift-R).
- Click Allow Me to be Discovered By at the bottom of the window and choose from three options:
- No One: Don’t pick this if you want to share via AirDrop.
- Contacts Only: This limits sharing to people listed in your contacts. You must be signed in to iCloud to use this option ③. Go to System Preferences > iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Everyone: This broadcasts your location to everyone in range. It’s the simplest one to use, if you’re willing to get AirDrop requests from the occasional stranger.
When You Can’t See Older Macs
Want to share with an older Mac, but not seeing it in your Mac’s AirDrop window? Click the text “Don’t see who you’re looking for?” at the window’s bottom, and then click the Search for An Older Mac button ④.
Older Macs must have Wi-Fi hardware that supports AirDrop, too. See the Apple article Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac.
If You Want to Share with iOS
- On the iOS device, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Control Center.
- Tap AirDrop to adjust the settings for your iOS device; they work basically the same as on your Mac.
- An icon for the iPhone or iPad should appear now in your Mac’s open AirDrop window.
If You Want to Share with Another Mac
Make sure a Finder window is open to AirDrop. Click AirDrop in a Finder window’s sidebar, or choose Go > AirDrop (Command-Shift-R).
Check out the above sidebar, When You Can’t See Older Macs if that situation applies to you.
Empty AirDrop Window?
If you’ve carefully followed the steps in this chapter, but still don’t see another device in your Mac’s AirDrop window:
- Make sure an iOS device isn’t asleep. If it is, tap the Home button and wake it back up.
- Bring iOS devices or laptop Macs closer to your Mac.
- Turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and then on again on the devices.
- If you know a receiving Mac is using a firewall, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and check to see if the Block All Incoming Connections option is enabled. When this setting is on, the Mac won’t be able to receive AirDrop files.
- Double-check that all devices meet AirDrop requirements. (See Check the Requirements, earlier in this chapter)
Send a File
- AirDrop from the Finder: In the Finder, drag the file to your Mac’s AirDrop window and drop it on the iOS device or Mac’s icon ⑤.
- AirDrop from a Mac App: AirDrop is also available in your Mac’s Share menus. So, for example, if you want to share a Safari link, click the Share button in Safari’s toolbar and choose AirDrop. An AirDrop dialog opens. Click the receiving device’s icon to send, and then click Done. Send Contacts cards to iOS or another Mac in the same way.
- AirDrop from iOS to a Mac: If you’re sending an image from your iPhone to your Mom’s Mac, for example, tap Photos, choose a photo, and then tap the Share button. Under the Tap to Share with AirDrop header, tap the icon for the Mac. After the file has transferred, it appears in the Mac’s Downloads folder.
What Happens on the Recipient’s Device?
A notice appears on the receiving device. If you’re signed in to that device with the same Apple ID—say, the transfer is between your iPhone and Mac—the file downloads automatically.
If you’re not (it belongs to someone else), the recipient will receive a notice saying the sender wants to share a file, complete with the filename or a preview ⑥. Recipients can decline the transfer if they choose.
When in Doubt: Try Other Sharing Methods
AirDrop is amazing, but it has its limitations: not everyone’s hardware meets the requirements and sometimes the technology can be cranky. In those cases, consider these easy ways to share between Macs, iOS devices, or between the two:
- Email: A tried and true method for getting files from one place to another is email. Note that as of Yosemite, as long as you’re using Mail, you can send files as large as 5 GB without worrying about bumping into attachment size limits (see this Apple page about Mail Drop Limits). The monthly Mail Drop storage limit is 1 TB; each attachment expires after 30 days.
- iCloud Drive: To share files with another one of your own devices, use iCloud Drive. Note that files can be no larger than 15 GB and you can’t exceed your iCloud storage limits. (See Navigate iCloud Drive.)
Tip: Use Family Sharing to share iTunes purchases, apps, reminders, and more with all members of the household. (Family Sharing is required for Apple Music family plans.) To get up to speed, see iOS 9: A Take Control Crash Course.
- Messages: If the Messages app is set up on your Mac with an iMessage account, as well as on the target Mac or iOS device, it’s a cinch to send an attachment (100 MB or smaller):
- Start a conversation with someone (or yourself) and then drop the attachment onto the iMessage field ⑦. Press Return to send.
- Alternatively, when you’re in an app, click the Share button and choose Messages to send the attachment.
- Dropbox: If you’re a Dropbox user, it’s easy to share files with others (see this Dropbox page for details on file size limits): Drag a file (or folder) into your Dropbox folder in the Finder sidebar or on Dropbox.com. Once the file is copied to Dropbox, do one of the following:
- In a Mac Finder window, navigate to the item, Control-click it and choose Share Dropbox Link ⑧. A link copies to your Clipboard. Paste it into an email or text message and send.
- On Dropbox.com, select the file and then click the Share button that appears. You can now either copy the URL, close the Share dialog, paste the URL into an email or text message, and send it; or you can type in the recipient’s email address and click Send.
- On Dropbox.com, you can also select a folder and then click the Share button that appears. Click Send link and then proceed as in the above paragraph.
Copyright © 2015, Sawyer McFarland Media. All rights reserved.
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DisqusAirDrop For Mac OS X & iOS
Hello everyone, how are you all doing today? In this guide you will learn how to use Airdrop on your Mac, before you do that, I really hope all of you are okay, I have been busy with a lot of stuff as I prepare for my wedding. Anyway, besides that, I hope you are all doing really great with this pandemic still among us.
Today we will teach you how to use the AirDrop app to transfer files between your Macbook, iMac and your iPhone and iPad. Let’s find out what AirDrop is all about and if it is worth your time to learn.
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is an app from Apple that allows you to easily and quickly transfer data across all iDevices(OSX/iOS). It uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. AirDrop made its Mac debut in OS X Lion and arrived on the iPad and iPhone with iOS 7. The iOS implementation allows users to easily share photos, videos and other supported documents to anyone nearby who is using a supported iOS device or Mac.
AirDrop Files from Mac to iPhone and iPad
To drop files from Mac to iPhone:
- From your Mac, select AirDrop from the Finder window
- Choose either to be seen by Everyone, or by those in your Contacts. By selecting to be seen by Everyone, your Mac has a higher chance of detecting all your available iDevices.
- From your iPhone/iPad, swipe up on Control Center and select AirDrop
- This should bring the iPhone/iPad in the Finder window on you Mac
- Drop images, photos, webpages, apps, and other data files on the icon of the iPhone/iPad. Your iDevices will immediately respond with an alert letting you know that a data file was being transferred.
- Simply select the alert to start the transfer.
AirDrop Files from iPhone & iPad to Mac
Airdrop Mac Catalina
To connect AirDrop from your iPad/iPhone to a Mac, do the following:
- Open Airdrop in Finder window on Mac
- Swipe up on Control Center and tap on AirDrop to turn in on your iPhone/iPad
- Select Everyone to increase chance of working (you can choose contacts only later)
- Select and drop the file you want to AirDrop to Mac and drop it on the Mac icon in the AirDrop window.
- Tap on the Mac icon and the transfer will start (you might have to wait a few minutes and see Waiting on the finder window)
AirDrop Files from new Mac to old Mac
To find your old Mac and transfer files:
- Click “Don’t see who you’re looking for” in the AirDrop window in the sending Mac
- Select “Search for an Older Mac.”
- Open AirDrop in the receiving Mac in a new Finder window
- It will show the new Mac icon. Simply drag and drop the files!
AirDrop Screenshot
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Airdrop For Mac Os X 10.6.8
Quick Links: How To Connect Your Mac To The Internet, & How To Make FaceTime Calls On A Mac