AirDrop is one of Apple’s most useful features for its ecosystem. AirDrop allows users to wirelessly send files between their Apple devices, everything from documents to photos and videos. It’s especially handy for sending files to your computer from your phone, but using AirDrop onMacOSis an equally simple and convenient feature.
Difficulty
What You Need
Mac with MacOS X 10.7 or later
Here is everything you need to know about how to use AirDrop on a Mac.
Make sure AirDrop is turned on
Before you can use AirDrop, you need to verify that it is turned on.
Step 1:Open Finder and selectAirDropfrom the top left in the sidebar. You can also pull it up hitting theCommand+Spacekeyboard shortcutand typing “AirDrop” intoSpotlight.
Step 2:Once you are in theAirDropmenu, you should see some blue text at the bottom that readsAllow Me To Be Discovered By. Hit theBlue Down Arrowto the right of this text, and select eitherEveryoneorContacts Only. The latter is the safer choice if you don’t want unsolicited files while in public.
Step 3:Once AirDrop is on, you should see some options pull up if there is an Apple device nearby with AirDrop enabled.
Drag and drop files into AirDrop
Step 1:With theAirDropwindow open, pull up another Finder by hovering your mouse over theFindericon, clicking with two fingers, and selectingNew Finder Window.
(OtherMac trackpad gesturesare available.)
Step 2:In the new Finder window, find the file you want to send and drag it into theAirDropwindow. Hover the file over the appropriate device icon and release it. The file should automatically AirDrop to that device, and the user can either accept or decline it.
Step 3:Alternatively, if the file is on your desktop, you can just drag and drop it from the desktop to theAirDropmenu.
Double-click and share
If dragging and dropping is too much of a hassle, there is an easier way. In the Finder window, hover over the file you want to share and click with two fingers. Scroll down toShareand then selectAirDropfrom the submenu.
A new window will pop up showing potential devices. Select which one you want to AirDrop to, and the file should send automatically.
AirDrop with the file open
If you have the file open in front of you, you can typically AirDrop from right there. If you are viewing a document or photo in Preview, you can find theSharebutton in the top-center of the window. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of it.
AirDrop with QuickTime
If you’re viewing a video in QuickTime Player, theSharebutton is in the media controls.
Those are the main ways to use AirDrop on Mac. For more on the Mac, check out our guide onhow to use AirPlay.
