How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac (and Back Again)

AirDrop is the quickest way to move photos, videos and documents between Apple devices. There are no cables or emails, and you don't lose quality. Once it's set up, sending a file takes about three taps.

AirDrop needs a few things in place on both devices:

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on. You don't need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Personal Hotspot switched off on the iPhone.
• Both devices awake and unlocked, and within about 9 metres (30 feet) of each other.

1. Click Control Centre in the menu bar (the icon with two switches).
2. Click AirDrop.
3. Make sure AirDrop is on, then choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.

Contacts Only works when the iPhone's Apple Account email or phone number is saved in your Mac's Contacts app. That's usually automatic if both devices are signed in to your own Apple Account. If your Mac doesn't appear, switch to Everyone for 10 Minutes. It switches back to Contacts Only by itself, so you're not left open to strangers.

You can also open a Finder window and click AirDrop in the sidebar. At the bottom there's an "Allow me to be discovered by" setting.

1. Open the photo, video or file on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up).
3. Tap AirDrop.
4. Tap your Mac's name.

If both devices use the same Apple Account, the file is accepted automatically. If not, the Mac shows a notification asking you to accept it.

Files you receive go into your Downloads folder. The exception is some items that open straight in their app, like a web link opening in Safari or a note opening in Notes.

Tip: Photos land in Downloads, not in the Photos app. To add them to your library, drag them onto the Photos icon in the Dock.

You can go the other way just as easily:

• Right-click a file in Finder, choose Share, then AirDrop, and pick your iPhone.
• Or drag the file onto your iPhone's icon in the AirDrop window in Finder.

On the iPhone, received photos go into the Photos app and documents go into the Files app.

1. Switch Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again on both devices.
2. Set the Mac to Everyone for 10 Minutes temporarily.
3. Unlock the iPhone and keep the screen on while you send.
4. Turn off Personal Hotspot on the iPhone.
5. Check Focus / Do Not Disturb. It can hide the incoming AirDrop request on the Mac.
6. Check your firewall. Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options and make sure Block all incoming connections is off.
7. Restart both devices. It fixes more AirDrop problems than you'd think.

Once your Mac is visible, AirDrop is simple: Share, AirDrop, tap your Mac. Just remember your files end up in Downloads.