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

Friday May 25, 2018 2:10 AM PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple'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.

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

  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.

  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.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
Tag: AirDrop
28 comments


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Gorms
12 weeks ago
This is actually really useful for me. Thank you for this tip!

AirDrop is one of macOS’ best features... (when it works)
Rating: 8 Votes
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Saipher
12 weeks ago
Thank you MacRumors, these tips articles are very helpful. :)
Rating: 5 Votes
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Chupa Chupa
12 weeks 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?
Rating: 3 Votes
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unsharptooth
12 weeks 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.
Rating: 2 Votes
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rubberfish
12 weeks ago
Thanks for the tip. I share files back and forth with my iPad all the time.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Amiriteoramirite
12 weeks 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?

I agree with you. I just use two fingers on my touch pad when selecting a file, and Airdrop is one of my options. I see no reason whatsoever to add clutter to the Dock.
Rating: 1 Votes
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rhoydotp
12 weeks 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.
Rating: 1 Votes
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