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    AirDrop Helper

    Share photos and files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs — instantly.

    What is AirDrop?

    A free Apple feature that sends photos, videos, contacts, or files from one Apple device to another nearby. No internet needed. Faster than texting and the photo stays full quality.

    Works between: iPhone, iPad, Mac. NOT between iPhone and Android — for that, use text or email.

    Step 1 — Turn on AirDrop on both devices

    On both your iPhone and the receiver's iPhone:

    1. Open Control Center — swipe down from the top-right corner.
    2. Press and hold the box with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons.
    3. Tap AirDrop.
    4. Choose "Contacts Only" if you have each other in your contact lists. If not, tap "Everyone for 10 Minutes".

    Wi-Fi and Bluetooth both need to be on. AirDrop uses them together but doesn't need internet.

    Step 2 — Send the photo

    1. Open the photo (or photos — you can pick several) in the Photos app.
    2. Tap the Share button (square with arrow up) in the bottom-left.
    3. Tap AirDrop.
    4. You'll see a circle with the other person's name or device name. Tap it.
    5. The other person sees a popup — they tap "Accept" — and the photo lands in their Photos.

    Don't see the other person?

    • Both phones must be unlocked and awake.
    • Both must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
    • Devices need to be within 30 feet (10 meters).
    • If AirDrop is set to "Contacts Only", you must have each other's number or Apple ID saved.
    • Try setting both to "Everyone for 10 Minutes" — the easiest fix.
    • Restart Bluetooth: turn it off in Control Center, wait 5 seconds, turn it back on.

    Stay safe in public

    In rare cases, strangers in public places (subways, airports) AirDrop unwanted images to phones set to "Everyone".

    • Keep AirDrop on "Contacts Only" or "Receiving Off" by default.
    • Only switch to "Everyone for 10 Minutes" when you actually need to receive from someone, then it turns off automatically.
    • If you do get an unwanted AirDrop request — tap Decline. Nothing was downloaded.

    Sharing with Android friends

    AirDrop only works between Apple devices. To send to Android, use Messages (compress to MMS), email, or a free app like Google Photos or WhatsApp — all work between iPhone and Android.