Skip to Content

How to Add an AirDrop Shortcut to Your Mac's Dock

by

airdropApple's AirDrop feature lets you wirelessly send and receive files between nearby Macs as well as to and from local iOS devices. It's usually accessed from the sidebar of an open Finder Window (or using the Command + Shift + R keyboard shortcut within Finder), but here we're going to share with you a trick that enables you to launch AirDrop straight from your Mac's Dock.

Having the AirDrop shortcut in your Dock will allow you to access it from any screen, regardless of the application you're using, and without having to open a Finder window first. Regular AirDrop users in particular should appreciate the convenience it provides.

How to Add AirDrop to Your Mac's Dock

  1. Open a Finder window or click the Desktop.

  2. In the Finder menu bar, select Go -> Go to Folder.
    Finder go to folder

  3. Paste the following directory path into the dialog and press Enter: /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/Applications/
    Finder go to folder dialog

  4. The Contents/Applications folder within the Finder.app package will appear. Using your mouse, drag the AirDrop app to the desired location in your Dock.
    drag airdrop to dock

  5. Close the Finder window.

Next time you want to open the AirDrop window to share something, simply click the app icon in your Mac's Dock. Note that you can also drag the iCloud Drive app from the Finder package in the same way, for quick one-click access to the files and folders in your cloud storage.

Tag: AirDrop

Top Rated Comments

Gorms Avatar
102 months ago
This is actually really useful for me. Thank you for this tip!

AirDrop is one of macOS’ best features... (when it works)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Saipher Avatar
102 months ago
Thank you MacRumors, these tips articles are very helpful. :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chupa Chupa Avatar
102 months ago
Not sure I understand how this streamlines workflow. Dragging a file to the dock seems like more work than just ctrl+click -> share -> airdrop. What am I missing?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
Thanks for the tip. I share files back and forth with my iPad all the time.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unsharptooth Avatar
102 months ago
[doublepost=1527258466][/doublepost]This would be really useful if you could just drop your file there and a pop up asked you who you wanted to send it to. And maybe a pop up after it's finished sending too. Hopefully they improve upon that with 10.14.
Yu can select the files, right click > share > Airdrop. You’ll get a pop up listing nearby devices and progress when sending.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rhoydotp Avatar
102 months ago
Receiving files.
100% agree with this! Most people just probably send and not receive files so it may not be that useful to them.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Max 2 Feature

Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 With H2 Chip and More

Monday March 16, 2026 6:12 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled AirPods Max 2, with key upgrades including the H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. The new AirPods Max have the same overall design as the previous generation, with most of the new features coming from the upgrade to the H2 chip:- Adaptive ...
Apple Logo Sketch Feature

Apple Unveiled a Surprise New Product Today

Monday March 16, 2026 10:50 am PDT by
Surprise! Apple today unveiled the AirPods Max 2, despite no rumors suggesting that a new version of Apple's over-ear headphones were imminent. Key upgrades compared to the previous AirPods Max include Apple's H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. AirPods Max ...
apple design award 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Design Award Winners Ahead of WWDC 2025

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:14 am PDT by
As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category: Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game) Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ -...