[Step-by-Step Guide] How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac?

"Someone else having trouble sharing from iPhone to Mac via AirDrop? When sharing from Mac to iPhone, I have no trouble at all. B.T.W., I have iPhone 13 and MacBook Pro 2019."

- Malin Catharina on Apple Support Community

AirDrop is a useful built-in feature on Apple devices that allows you to wirelessly send files across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Whether you want to transfer a photo from your iPhone to your Mac or send a video, AirDrop is an ideal option. How to do AirDrop from iPhone to Mac? Next, we will walk you through the specific steps of how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac or vice versa.

Part 1. What Is AirDrop?

AirDrop is Apple's wirelessly way of transferring data between iOS devices. It is safe and easy to use, and the whole process is encrypted. It supports photos, videos, websites, documents, map locations, and other data from a nearby iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac running iOS 7 or macOS X Lion or higher.

It is simple to transfer files between iPhone and Mac with AirDrop. Since AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to establish a connection between your iPhone and Mac, the migration will automatically start once you enable AirDrop on both devices and successfully make a connection.

Part 2. How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac?

The following steps display how to use AirDrop from iPhone to Mac. Refer to these instructions if you wish to wirelessly AirDrop from iPhone to Mac.

Step 1. Toggle on AirDrop on your iPhone and Mac.

On iPhone:

• Pull down the screen on your iPhone to access the "Control Center".
• Press and hold the "square with the Wi-Fi" icon to open more options.
• Switch on the "AirDrop", "Bluetooth", and "Wi-Fi" options.
• Choose "Contacts Only" or "Everyone" to make your device discoverable.

On Mac:

• Launch Finder on your Mac and click "Go" > "AirDrop" on the sidebar.
• Check the "Allow me to be discovered by" option and select "Contacts Only" or "Everyone".

Step 2. Wait until your Mac's name appears on the iPhone's AirDrop list.

Step 3. Let's take a video as an example. Here is how to AirDrop videos from iPhone to Mac:

• Open the "Photos" app and select the wanted videos to transfer.
• Tap the "Share" icon > "AirDrop" > your Mac's name.
• A transfer request will pop up on the Mac; simply click "Accept" to begin transferring the file. Once the transfer is complete, the file will appear in the Downloads folder on the Mac. (Where do AirDrop files go?)

Part 3. How to AirDrop from a Mac to an iPhone?

After we know how to AirDrop iPhone to MacBook, how about how to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone? Check the guidance below if you wish to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone.

Preparations:

• Turn on Wi-Fi on your Mac and iPhone.
• Bluetooth works well on both devices.
• The Mac and iPhone are put within the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth range.

To AirDrop from Mac to iPhone, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Turn on "AirDrop", "Wi-Fi", and "Bluetooth" on both devices.

Step 2. On your Mac, select the file or photo you want to transfer. Right-click on the file and choose "Share" > "AirDrop".

Step 3. In the pop-up AirDrop window, select your iPhone device.

Step 4. On your iPhone, confirm the file transfer by tapping "Accept". The file will be saved to your photo library, folder, or the corresponding app, depending on the file type.

Part 4. Problems You May Encounter When Using AirDrop

Although AirDrop is a very convenient feature, sometimes you may encounter issues while using it. According to user's feedback, you may meet the following problems when you AirDrop from iPhone to Mac:

• AirDrop is not showing up in the Control Center.
• AirDrop from iPhone to Mac is not working.
• AirDrop is not showing up in Finder.
• Mac is not showing up on AirDrop.
• Can't AirDrop music.

To ensure a smooth and seamless data transfer experience between your iPhone and Mac, try the following tips:

• Keep Your Devices Updated: Regularly update both your iPhone and Mac to the latest software versions. Apple often releases updates that enhance the performance and stability of features like AirDrop, resulting in a better overall experience.
• Restart Devices: If you're having trouble with AirDrop, restarting both your iPhone and Mac can help resolve temporary glitches or connectivity issues.
• Check AirDrop Visibility Settings: On your iPhone, go to "Settings" > "General" > "AirDrop" and make sure your visibility is set to either "Everyone" or "Contacts Only", based on your preference. On your Mac, click the AirDrop icon in the Finder sidebar and adjust the visibility settings there. (AirDrop Contacts Only not working?)
• Disable Personal Hotspot and Potential Interferences: If AirDrop is acting up, turn off your iPhone's Personal Hotspot and disable other potential sources of interference, such as Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi extenders.
• Restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on Both Devices: If you're still having trouble, try restarting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iPhone and Mac. This can help reset the wireless connections and fix any underlying issues.

Part 5. Use an AirDrop Alternative to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac

AirDrop is convenient when sharing between iPhone and Mac, but the files you can send are limited. Since AirDrop exclusively supports sending one type of data each time, including videos, photos, files, etc, a better file-sharing app is needed if you wish to move more files.

Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a powerful file transfer app that works for transferring data between Mac and iPhone via a USB cable. Compared with AirDrop, it consumes no network, and the operation is easy - without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirDrop enabled.

The highlights of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

• Transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, calendars, bookmarks, iBooks, and more from iPhone to Mac via USB.
• Selectively share contacts, notes, calendars, and iBooks from Mac to iPhone.
• Back up and restore all iPhone data to/from Mac in one click.
• Manage iPhone data on your Mac.
• Support the latest iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

How to share from iPhone to MacBook via a USB cable?

01Install and open the appropriate version of iOS Assistant on your Mac.

Free Download for Mac

 

Free Download for PC

02Connect your iPhone to the Mac using an original USB cable and click "Trust" on your iPhone when asked. Once the program detects your iPhone, it will display the iPhone's information on the home interface.

03Select one data type on the left panel and preview all the items. Later, tick off the desired items and hit the "Export" button on the top to transfer them from your iPhone to the Mac.

Video Tutorial:

Extra FAQs on Airdropping from iPhone to Mac

Q1. Why is my Mac not showing up on AirDrop?

• Your Mac is undiscoverable in AirDrop.
• You forget to enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on both devices.
• Your Mac is asleep.
• Both devices are more than 30 feet distance.
• The firewall on your Mac blocked the incoming connections.
• Ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Q2. Why can't I AirDrop from my iPhone to my Mac?

• Your Mac runs an outdated operating system that does not support AirDrop.
• You have set up your AirDrop settings on your Mac as No One.
• Wrong iPhone configuration.
• The device is not in your contact list when setting AirDrop to Contacts Only.
• There are issues with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Both devices are too far from each other.
• One device has glitches.

Q3. How to fix when AirDrop is not working?

What if AirDrop is not working suddenly? Review the following solutions to troubleshoot the issue quickly.

• Check whether your devices support AirDrop.
• Adjust AirDrop settings for Everyone.
• Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Ensure your devices are turned on.

You can also check this guide to learn more about how to fix AirDrop not working on the iPhone issue.

Final Words

After browsing the above content, you may understand how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac or vice versa. Actually, AirDrop is a reliable and safe way to transfer files between iPhone and Mac. However, if it doesn't work or sends certain file types, the alternative app Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a wise choice. You can migrate multiple files simultaneously at a fast speed.

Thus, don't forget to download it and have a try.

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