iPhone (iOS) · Network & Internet
Share Files with AirDrop on iPhone
AirDrop lets you instantly send photos, documents, links, and more to nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs using a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, without needing the same network or an internet connection.
How to open AirDrop
- Open Settings → General → AirDrop and choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- In the app you're sharing from, tap the Share icon.
- Tap AirDrop, then tap the nearby device you want to send to.
- Wait for the recipient to accept the transfer.
What you should know
- Receiving options include Contacts Only, Everyone for 10 Minutes, and Receiving Off, controlling who can send you files.
- Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on for AirDrop to detect and connect to nearby devices.
- On iPhone 15 and later with iOS 17 or later, holding two iPhones close together starts an AirDrop transfer automatically.
- Transfers happen over a direct peer-to-peer connection, so no internet connection or shared Wi-Fi network is required.
Setting AirDrop to 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' briefly exposes you to file requests from any nearby stranger's device, not just people you know — it automatically reverts afterward for this reason.
Why it matters
AirDrop remains one of the fastest ways to move files between Apple devices, often completing large transfers in seconds without needing cables, cloud uploads, or a shared network. Because its visibility setting determines who can even attempt to send you something, understanding Contacts Only versus Everyone is a meaningful privacy decision, not just a connectivity preference. It's also relied on constantly in everyday situations — sharing a photo after a group event, sending a boarding pass, or handing off a document in a meeting — making it one of the more frequently touched settings on the device despite rarely needing adjustment.
Best practices
- Keep AirDrop set to 'Contacts Only' as your default, switching to 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' only when you specifically need to receive from someone not in your Contacts.
- Turn on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth before attempting an AirDrop transfer, since either being off will prevent devices from discovering each other.
- Confirm the recipient's name and device preview before accepting an AirDrop transfer from someone you don't recognize.
- Use AirDrop for large files like videos instead of Messages when both devices are nearby, since it transfers at full quality without any compression.
Common problems and fixes
- A nearby device doesn't appear as an AirDrop option
- Confirm both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, are unlocked, and are within roughly 30 feet of each other, and check the receiving device's AirDrop setting isn't set to 'Receiving Off'.
- AirDrop transfer starts but gets stuck or fails partway through
- Move the devices closer together and disable Personal Hotspot temporarily on either device, since an active hotspot can sometimes interfere with the Wi-Fi Direct connection AirDrop uses.
- Set AirDrop to 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' but it reverted to Contacts Only unexpectedly
- This is expected behavior by design — the Everyone setting automatically times out after 10 minutes as a security precaution and needs to be re-enabled if still needed.
- Receiving unwanted AirDrop requests from strangers in a public place
- Switch AirDrop to 'Contacts Only' or 'Receiving Off' immediately in Settings → General → AirDrop, or via Control Center.
Tips and tricks
- Access AirDrop's visibility setting quickly from Control Center by long-pressing the network card in the top-left group, instead of digging through Settings.
- On supported iPhone 15 and later models, simply bring two unlocked iPhones close together to start a transfer without opening the share sheet manually.
Frequently asked questions
Does AirDrop use my cellular data or internet connection?
No, AirDrop transfers files directly between nearby devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth without needing an internet connection or consuming cellular data.
Can I AirDrop files to an Android phone?
No, AirDrop only works between Apple devices — Mac, iPhone, and iPad — and has no equivalent built-in support for Android or Windows devices.
Is it safe to leave AirDrop set to 'Everyone'?
It's generally not recommended to leave it that way indefinitely, since it allows any nearby stranger's device to send you a file request; Apple automatically reverts this setting to Contacts Only after 10 minutes for this reason.
Related settings
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join nearby networks, share passwords instantly between Apple devices, and manage previously joined networks.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair AirPods, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Privacy & PermissionsThe Privacy & Security hub lets you review and control exactly which apps can access your Camera, Microphone, Location Services, Contacts, Photos, and more.
More Network & Internet guides for iPhone (iOS)
- CellularCellular settings control your mobile data connection, including which apps can use cellular data, whether 5G or data roaming is allowed, and how much of your monthly plan each app has consumed.
- Personal HotspotPersonal Hotspot turns your iPhone's cellular data connection into a temporary Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth network that other devices like a laptop, tablet, or another phone can join for internet access.
- VPNVPN settings let your iPhone route its network traffic through a virtual private network, commonly used to access a workplace network securely or to add an extra layer of privacy on public Wi-Fi.
- Airplane ModeAirplane Mode turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with one toggle, and can be configured to leave Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on individually after enabling, for use during flights or to save battery.
- Wi-Fi CallingWi-Fi Calling routes phone calls and texts through a connected Wi-Fi network when cellular coverage is weak or unavailable, and can register your number so other Apple devices signed into the same account can also make calls.
- iCloud Private RelayiCloud Private Relay encrypts Safari's outgoing traffic and routes it through two separate relays so no single party—including Apple or your network provider—can see both your identity and the websites you visit.