Apple's AirDrop file-sharing feature debuted with the release of OS X Lion and allowed users to transfer files from one Mac to another without using email or an external storage device. The feature made its way to iOS devices with the release of iOS 7, and offered a simple way for users to share files like photos between iOS devices. Now, with the release OS X Yosemite, users can use AirDrop to transfer files between the Mac and an iOS device for the first time.

This video shows you how it works:


Prior to the release of OS X Yosemite, users looking to transfer files between a Mac and iOS device usually had to resort to a third-party service like Dropbox or use an iCloud-connected app like Messages. AirDrop on OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 provides an easy-to-use solution for transferring files, as users can either drag and drop files from the Mac to iOS or move files from iOS to the Mac using the Share feature.

On the Mac, a number of apps like Safari, Preview, Pages, and Contacts support the Share feature. Third-party Mac apps like Deliveries, Ember, and Notability also feature Share support, allowing content to be transferred via AirDrop. On iOS, most of Apple's stock apps including Photos, Safari, Notes, and Maps feature Share support. Third-party apps including Camera+, Evernote, and eBay also support the feature.

Before you Start

You will need iOS 7 or later and OS X Yosemite in order to use AirDrop to transfer files between a Mac and an iOS device. Using AirDrop to move files between iOS and Mac is supported by all Mac models released in 2012 and later running OS X Yosemite. You can confirm that your Mac is compatible with AirDrop by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock and clicking the "Go" icon in the Menu Bar. If AirDrop is not listed as an option, then your Mac is not compatible with the feature. AirDrop between a Mac and an iOS device also requires an iPhone 5 or later, iPad 4 or later, iPad mini, or fifth-generation iPod touch.

airdrop ios mac
Apple notes that AirDrop users should ensure that devices being used are within 30 feet of each other. If you have a firewall enabled on your Mac, navigate to Menu Bar -> Apple -> System Preferences -> General -> Security & Privacy -> Firewall -> Firewall Options and ensure that "Block all incoming connections" is not checked.

Keep in mind that it is not required for both devices to log into the same iCloud account to use AirDrop, but doing so offers the benefit of transferring files through AirDrop automatically without the need to approve each transfer. Files transferred between devices logged into different iCloud accounts will need permission to accept file transfers. Both iOS devices and Macs must be powered on and not locked in order to make AirDrop file transfers.

Steps

1. Turn on Wi-Fi on your iPhone (Settings -> Wi-Fi) and Mac (Menu Bar -> Wi-Fi -> Turn Wi-Fi On. AirDrop will still work between the Mac and an iOS device even if both are using different Wi-Fi networks.

2. Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone (Settings -> Bluetooth) and Mac (Menu Bar -> Apple -> System Preferences -> Bluetooth -> Turn Bluetooth On).

3. Turn on AirDrop on your iPhone (Slide up to access Control Center -> AirDrop -> Choose "Contacts Only" or "Everyone") and Mac (Finder -> Menu Bar -> Go -> AirDrop -> Click "Allow me to be discovered by:" -> Choose "Contacts Only" or "Everyone").

airdropht1
4. You may now begin using AirDrop to transfer files between a Mac and an iOS device. To test it out, go to the AirDrop menu in Finder and notice that your iOS device is represented by circle. Drag and drop a file onto the circle, and your iOS device will prompt you to accept the file.

airdropht2
You can also transfer files from the Mac to an iOS device using apps that have Share feature built-in. The Share menu can be accessed in the upper right corner of an app and is represented by a square with an upward facing arrow.

sharebar

The iOS share icon (middle) as seen in Safari

Selecting the AirDrop option from the Share menu brings up a list of devices that can receive files.

airdropht3
5. Transferring a file from an iOS device to the Mac can be done in any app that supports the Share functionality. Like on the Mac, the Share button brings up a list of options for transfers including AirDrop. For example, sending an image to the Mac from the Photos app can be done by tapping the Share button, tapping AirDrop, and selecting the desired Mac. A prompt to accept the file should then appear on the Mac.

airdropht4

Troubleshooting

Some users have had trouble with AirDrop functionality between the Mac and iOS devices since it launched with OS X Yosemite. Members on our forums and on Apple's support forums have reported that restarting both devices fixed their problems. If the devices aren't recognizing each other, make sure AirDrop is set to "Everyone" instead of "Contacts Only," as the latter setting has caused some problems for users. A number of users have also realized their Macs are too old to support AirDrop functionality between OS X and iOS after attempting to try out the feature, so ensure that your Mac is a 2012 model or newer by going to Menu Bar -> Apple -> About This Mac.

Related Forums: iOS 8, OS X Yosemite

Top Rated Comments

k2director Avatar
138 months ago
Airdrop DOES NOT work reliably when I try to share photos on my iPhone with my 2013 Mac Pro.

Every once in a while it works, but most of the time the Mac icon does not show up on the iPhone's Airdrop dock.

Airdrop does work reliably when going from Mac to iPhone, but that's not useful because I'm always snapping pictures on the phone that I want to share with my Mac.


I wish Apple's passion for quality control matched its new-found passion for diversity, LQBG rights, women freezing their eggs, children's education. etc. Tim talks a lot about those issues, but can I get a statement about all the bugs I'm increasingly finding in Mac products? No.

I miss the old Apple, which didn't carry the Progressive torch quite so high, but could launch products that Just Worked.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Someyoungguy Avatar
138 months ago
I have to say, I'm more than a little perturbed at the gimping of older Macs with regard to this feature. This isn't the BT LE issue that limits other continuity features to newer machines. This is a WiFi file transfer that was already supported between Macs built before 2012, and separately, iPhones. If I can't have ecosystem features on my 3 year old computer, maybe I need to find another ecosystem.

I know Apple has played this type of game before, as do other manufacturers, but in recent memory they struck a good balance between planned obsolescence and backward compatibility that endeared them to me. I think that balance is off now. If I can't use ecosystem features after such a short amont of time (computers are usually depreciated over 5 years), I don't see why I need to pay the "Apple Tax" when it's time for a new computer.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
janderson0719 Avatar
138 months ago
Wait, is this MacRumors or OSX Daily?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jackzig Avatar
137 months ago
A Right-Wing Apple?



I wish Apple's passion for quality control matched its new-found passion for diversity, LQBG rights, women freezing their eggs, children's education. etc. Tim talks a lot about those issues, but can I get a statement about all the bugs I'm increasingly finding in Mac products? No.

I miss the old Apple, which didn't carry the Progressive torch quite so high, but could launch products that Just Worked.

So I guess if Apple didn't support Gay Rights, Women's Rights, or Children's Education one of two things would take place: 1) Air Drop would work 100%, all the time, or 2) It wouldn't bother you because Apple would not have nasty Progressive tendencies.

I guess Tim Cook is just fixated about being a decent human being and doesn't give a damn about quality products like he would if he were a Neanderthal.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Potus Avatar
138 months ago
One Of These Things Is Not Like the Other

Airdrop DOES NOT work reliably when I try to share photos on my iPhone with my 2013 Mac Pro.

Every once in a while it works, but most of the time the Mac icon does not show up on the iPhone's Airdrop dock.

Airdrop does work reliably when going from Mac to iPhone, but that's not useful because I'm always snapping pictures on the phone that I want to share with my Mac.


I wish Apple's passion for quality control matched its new-found passion for diversity, LQBG rights, women freezing their eggs, children's education. etc. Tim talks a lot about those issues, but can I get a statement about all the bugs I'm increasingly finding in Mac products? No.

I miss the old Apple, which didn't carry the Progressive torch quite so high, but could launch products that Just Worked.

OOOOOKaaaay. We can now infer your position on a variety of issues. But why you link Apple's concern with those issues and Airdrop is unfathomable to me. They are not related in any way.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Padmini Avatar
138 months ago
AirDrop is extremely unreliable.

Across my many devices, there are certain transfers, like from my iPad Air to my iMac, that work every time.

But there will be others such as iMac to iPhone 6 Plus that fail every time. By fail, I mean I will try to transfer the file, the icon on the Mac will say "Waiting..." and nothing will ever appear on the iPhone. If I cancel the transfer and initiate it again, usually it will work.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
Nineth iOS 19 Feature

iOS 19 Beta is a Month Away With These New Features for Your iPhone

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it. Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors...
fortnite apple featured

Epic Games Submits Fortnite to U.S. App Store

Friday May 9, 2025 9:57 am PDT by
As promised, Epic Games today submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and if approved by Apple, it will mark the first time that the Fortnite app has been available in the United States since 2020. Fortnite will include options to purchase in-app currency from the web rather than through in-app purchase, which is what got the game banned to begin with. This time, though, Apple has been...
iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Tuesday May 6, 2025 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week. With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren't found during the beta...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
top stories 2025 05 10

Top Stories: iOS 18.5 Release Imminent, iPhone Rumors for 2025 and Beyond, and More

Saturday May 10, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
With Apple's developer conference where it will show off iOS 19 just a month away, the company is wrapping up work on iOS 18.5 ahead of an imminent release to deliver a few new features and updates. This week also saw a number of iPhone-related rumors, encompassing not only this year's iPhone 17 lineup but also Apple's plans for 2026 and 2027, even as Apple's Eddy Cue suggested AI could make ...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Apple's Foldable iPhone Display Tech May Set New Industry Standard

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:29 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, claims a source with links to Apple's supply chain. According to the account yeux1122 on the Korean Naver blog, the foldable iPhone will use a custom display process for which Apple will hold branding trademark rights, and that meets Apple's stringent ...