How to Stop AirDrop Transfer in Progress: The Ultimate Guide

AirDrop is a convenient feature that allows Apple users to quickly share files between iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices. However, sometimes, you might accidentally AirDrop data to the wrong person or device, so it's important to know how to stop AirDrop transfer to avoid any awkwardness.

Part 1. How to Stop AirDrop Transfer

Fortunately, you can easily cancel an AirDrop transfer from one iPhone to another, whether before or during the process. Unfortunately, once the AirDrop transfer is complete on your device, there's no way to cancel it.

To successfully stop an AirDrop transfer, tap the profile picture while it shows a "Waiting" status, indicating that the incorrect recipient hasn't accepted the file yet. If the recipient taps "Accept", changing the status to "Sending", you still have a brief opportunity to cancel the transfer by tapping the profile picture again. Once you cancel the AirDrop transfer, your file will not be shared with the other user.

Part 2. How to Turn Off AirDrop

Sometimes, completely disabling the AirDrop feature can prevent accidental transfer requests or receiving unwanted files. You can follow these steps to turn off AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. You can re-enable AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac whenever you need it.

On iPhone/iPad:

Here is how to turn off AirDrop via the Settings app:

Step 1. Navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "AirDrop". (Is AirDrop not working on iPhone or iPad?)

Step 2. Select "Receiving Off".

Here is how to turn off AirDrop via Control Center:

Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.

Step 2. Press and hold the tray that includes Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to expand it.

Step 3. Tap the "AirDrop" icon and select "Receiving Off".

On Mac:

Step 1. On your Mac, click the "Finder" icon to open the file manager.

Step 2. In the left sidebar, click on "AirDrop".

Step 3. At the bottom of the AirDrop window, click the option next to "Allow me to be discovered by" and choose "No One".

Once you turn off AirDrop, your device will no longer appear in the AirDrop transfer list of other devices, preventing any potential file transfer requests.

Part 3. Best AirDrop Alternative - Coolmuster Mobile Transfer

Besides AirDrop, you can also use Coolmuster Mobile Transfer, the best AirDrop alternative, to transfer data from your iOS to iOS. It is a versatile software that allows users to easily transfer data between iOS and Android devices. The source and target devices remain fixed during the data transfer, ensuring that your sensitive data stays secure.

Highlights of Coolmuster Mobile Transfer:

• Support to transfer contacts, calendars, bookmarks, eBooks (PDFs and ePubs), and notes between iOS devices.
• Easily facilitate data transfers from Android to iOS devices, from iOS to Android, between Android devices, and within iOS devices.
• The tool is safe, user-friendly, and offers fast transfer speeds.
• It is compatible with nearly all iPhone and iPad models, including the latest iPhone 15/16 and iPad Pro M4/iPad Air M2.

Here's how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using Mobile Transfer:

01Download and install the appropriate version of the software on your computer. Launch the program and connect both iOS devices to the computer using USB cables. Unlock your devices and tap "Trust" when prompted.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

02You'll then see the interface showing the connected devices. Before transferring, please ensure that the Source and Destination devices are positioned correctly. If they're not, click the "Flip" button to switch their positions.

03Select the content you want to transfer from the list and click "Start Copy" to begin the transfer process.

Video Tutorial:

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why can't AirDrop find other devices?

If AirDrop cannot find other devices, it may be due to the following reasons:

• The target device is set to "Receiving Off".
• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is not enabled on both devices.
• The two devices are not within an effective transfer range (generally about 10 meters).
• Your AirDrop settings are not set to "Contacts Only", not "Everyone", which may affect visibility.

Q2. How to know if an AirDrop was successful?

If the AirDrop goes through, you'll hear an alert tone or feel a vibration on your device. Additionally, the status will appear under the recipient's profile picture as "Sent".

Q3. Is AirDrop safe? How can I avoid receiving files from strangers?

AirDrop is generally safe, but enabling "Everyone" mode may increase the risk of receiving files from unknown users. To prevent this, it's recommended to use "Contacts Only" or "Receiving Off" mode to avoid unnecessary file transfer requests.

Wrapping Up

That's all about how to stop AirDrop transfer. By tapping the wrong recipient's name or device while AirDrop is in the waiting or sending phase, you can quickly cancel the data transfer. For cross-platform transfer needs, Coolmuster Mobile Transfer provides a powerful solution, easily facilitating the transfer of photos, videos, and contact data.

Related Articles:

How to AirDrop from iPhone to PC Windows 11/10/8/7 in Six Practical Ways?

12 Fixes for AirDrop Stuck on Waiting or Stopped Working

[2024] Does Airdrop Reduce Quality? Here're the Answers

[Answered] Where Do AirDrop Files/Photos/Videos Go on iPhone/Mac?