Share Files with 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 Google Drive as well as Apple’s AirDrop ①.

① If you have a Yosemite Mac and iOS 8 device that both meet Apple’s hardware requirements, now you can use AirDrop sharing between them.

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. But as of Yosemite and iOS 8, 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 Yosemite feature is available only to people with recently-made devices.

Note: If you make Mac–iOS 8 AirDrop work, you can still use AirDrop Mac to Mac, so long as both Macs meet the requirements; see the Apple article Mac Basics: AirDrop. 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 the iOS device, tap Settings > Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi.

② To make sure Wi-Fi is turned on, go to the Network system preference pane and click Wi-Fi at the left. You can also select the Show Wi-Fi Status in Menu Bar box, near the bottom of the pane, to be able to turn Wi-Fi off and on from the menu bar.

Check that Bluetooth is turned on. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the Turn Bluetooth On button. On your iOS device, tap Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth.
Bring devices into Bluetooth range—no more than 33 feet (roughly 10 meters) away—the closer the better.

Get Ready to Share

Click AirDrop in a Finder window’s sidebar, or choose Go > AirDrop.
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.
③ If you want to limit AirDrop to contacts only, you must sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
- Everyone: This broadcasts your location to everyone in range. It’s the simplest one to use.

When You Can’t See Older Macs

Want to share with an older Mac, but not seeing it in your Yosemite Mac’s AirDrop window? Click the “Don’t see who you’re looking for?” link at the window’s bottom, and then click the Search For An Older Mac button ④.

④ Click this button to find older Macs.

Older Macs must have Wi-Fi hardware that supports AirDrop, too. See the Apple article Mac Basics: AirDrop.

On the iPhone or iPad, 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 the same as on your Mac.

An icon for the iPhone or iPad should appear now in your Mac’s open AirDrop window.

Empty AirDrop Window?

If you’ve carefully followed the steps in this chapter, but still don’t see an iOS device in your Mac’s AirDrop window:

Make sure the iOS device is not asleep. If so, tap the home button and unlock it.
Bring the iOS device closer to your Mac.

AirDrop from the Finder

In the Finder, drag the file to the Mac’s AirDrop window and drop it on the iOS device’s icon ⑤.

⑤ To share a file, drag it’s icon onto the iOS device’s icon in your Mac’s AirDrop window.

A notice appears on the iPhone or iPad and the file downloads ⑥.

⑥ On the iOS device, a notice appears before the file automatically downloads.

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 iOS device’s icon to send, and then click Done. Send Contacts cards to iOS in the same way.

AirDrop from iOS

If you’re sending an image from your iPhone to your Mom’s computer, 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. The image will appear in the Mac’s Downloads folder.

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