macOS · Network & Internet
Set Up AirDrop & Handoff on Mac
AirDrop lets you wirelessly send files, photos, and links directly to nearby Apple devices without email or messaging apps, while Handoff lets you start something on one Apple device — like a browser tab or email draft — and pick it up instantly on your Mac.
How to open AirDrop & Handoff
- Open System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff.
- Choose who can discover your Mac via AirDrop: No One, Contacts Only, or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Turn on 'Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices'.
- Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both on for either feature to work reliably.
What you should know
- AirDrop visibility can be set to 'No One,' 'Contacts Only,' or 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' depending on how discoverable you want to be.
- AirDrop requires both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be turned on, even though the transfer itself doesn't use your internet connection.
- Handoff shows a small icon in the Dock (or on the Lock Screen of a nearby device) letting you resume an in-progress task instantly.
- Handoff works across Safari tabs, Mail drafts, Maps, Pages, and many other apps that support the feature on both devices.
Setting AirDrop to 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' makes your Mac discoverable to any nearby Apple device, not just people you know — it automatically reverts to a more restricted setting after the window closes, but treat it as temporarily public in the meantime.
Why it matters
AirDrop is often the fastest way to move a file or photo between your own devices or share with someone nearby, cutting out the extra steps of emailing yourself a file or uploading to cloud storage first. Handoff removes the friction of context-switching between devices, letting a thought started on your iPhone continue exactly where you left off on your Mac's larger screen. Because both features rely on device discovery, understanding the visibility settings also matters for privacy — an overly permissive AirDrop setting means strangers nearby can see your Mac as a share target.
Best practices
- Set AirDrop visibility to 'Contacts Only' as your default, switching to 'Everyone for 10 Minutes' only when you need to receive from someone not in your contacts.
- Keep both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on if you regularly rely on AirDrop or Handoff, since either feature silently fails without both radios active.
- Turn off Handoff for a specific app you don't want appearing on other devices, if that app supports granular control, rather than disabling Handoff system-wide.
- Sign in to the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication on all your devices, since Handoff and AirDrop's Contacts Only mode both depend on that identity match.
Common problems and fixes
- A nearby device doesn't show up as an AirDrop recipient.
- Confirm both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, aren't in Personal Hotspot mode, and check that AirDrop visibility isn't set to 'No One' on either device.
- Handoff icon doesn't appear in the Dock for an in-progress task on another device.
- Verify both devices are signed into the same Apple Account, are within roughly 30 feet of each other, and have 'Allow Handoff' turned on in their respective settings.
- AirDrop transfer starts but then fails partway through.
- Move the devices closer together to improve the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi peer connection, and retry — large files are especially sensitive to interference or distance during an AirDrop transfer.
Tips and tricks
- Drag a file directly onto a recipient's icon in the Finder sidebar's AirDrop section instead of using the Share menu each time.
- Look for the small Handoff icon at the left edge of the Dock (near the Trash) to instantly jump into whatever you were doing on another device.
Frequently asked questions
Does AirDrop use my internet data?
No, AirDrop creates a direct connection between devices using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, so it works even without an internet connection and doesn't count against mobile data.
Can I use Handoff between my Mac and someone else's iPhone?
No, Handoff only works between devices signed in to the same Apple Account, since it's designed to continue your own activity across your own devices.
Is it safe to leave AirDrop set to 'Everyone'?
Apple limits 'Everyone' visibility to a 10-minute window specifically because leaving it on indefinitely would make your Mac discoverable to any nearby stranger, not just people you know.
Related settings
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join, manage, and prioritize wireless networks on your Mac, including hidden networks and networks that require a captive-portal sign-in.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair and manage wireless accessories such as keyboards, trackpads, mice, headphones, and speakers with your Mac.
- Apple Account & iCloud SynciCloud settings control which of your apps and data — Photos, Mail, Contacts, Find My Mac, and more — stay in sync across all your Apple devices, plus your iCloud storage plan.
More Network & Internet guides for macOS
- VPN & Network ProfilesVPN settings let you connect to a private network over an encrypted tunnel — common for remote work — while Network preferences let you manage multiple connection profiles, proxies, and advanced TCP/IP settings for different locations or services.
- Screen Sharing & Remote LoginScreen Sharing lets you view and control another Mac's screen remotely (or let someone control yours), while Remote Login enables secure command-line (SSH) access to your Mac from another computer. Both are toggled independently under Sharing settings.
- EthernetEthernet settings manage wired network connections through built-in Ethernet ports or USB and Thunderbolt adapters, including IP configuration, DNS, and connection priority relative to Wi-Fi.
- FirewallThe built-in Firewall controls which apps and services are allowed to accept incoming network connections, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized access while connected to any network.
- ProxiesProxy settings let you route web and other network traffic for a given network connection through a specified proxy server, either configured manually or automatically via a PAC file or auto-discovery protocol.
- Thunderbolt BridgeThunderbolt Bridge creates a direct, high-speed network connection between two Macs connected with a Thunderbolt cable, useful for fast file transfers or Target Disk Mode-style workflows without a router.