In the digital age, sharing photos has become an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s capturing cherished moments or collaborating on a project, the ability to effortlessly transfer photos is invaluable. One popular method that offers seamless and efficient photo sharing is the use of Apple’s Airdrop feature. In this blog, we will explore how to airdrop photos, step by step, empowering you to become a pro at sharing your memories in an instant.
Part 1: How Does AirDrop Work?
AirDrop is a wireless file-sharing feature developed by Apple, designed to allow users to easily share files, including photos, between compatible Apple devices. It utilizes a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies to establish a direct peer-to-peer connection between devices, enabling quick and secure file transfers. Here’s a breakdown of how AirDrop works:
Device Discovery: When AirDrop is enabled on both the sending and receiving devices, they create a temporary ad-hoc Wi-Fi network. This network enables the devices to discover and communicate with each other.
Proximity and Visibility: AirDrop uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to detect nearby devices in close proximity. The sending device then displays a list of available recipients, including both contacts and nearby devices that have AirDrop enabled.
Authentication: Once the sender selects a recipient, the two devices negotiate a secure connection using encryption. This ensures that only the intended recipient can receive the transferred files. The devices use a combination of cryptographic keys and certificates to authenticate and establish a secure connection.
File Transfer: Once the devices are securely connected, the file transfer can begin. Whether it’s a photo, document, or other supported file type, AirDrop utilizes the ad-hoc Wi-Fi network to transfer the file directly between the devices. The file is divided into small packets, which are encrypted and sent over the secure connection.
Confirmation: After the file transfer is complete, both the sender and recipient receive a notification confirming the successful transfer. The file is then saved to the recipient’s device, ready to be accessed and used as desired.
It’s important to note that AirDrop works only between Apple devices that support the feature, including iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch, and Mac computers running macOS X Yosemite or later. AirDrop offers a convenient and efficient way to share files, including photos, without the need for cables, internet connectivity, or third-party applications. Its seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem makes it a popular choice among Apple users for quick and secure file transfers.
Part 2: How to Turn on AirDrop on Mac?
To turn on AirDrop on your Mac, follow these steps:
Ensure that your Mac meets the system requirements for AirDrop. AirDrop requires a Mac running OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later. Open Finder on your Mac by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select “AirDrop” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can press Shift + Command + R on your keyboard to open AirDrop directly.
The AirDrop window will appear, showing available devices nearby that support AirDrop. To enable AirDrop, make sure you select one of the following options: “Contacts Only” allows AirDrop connections only with people in your Contacts app. “Everyone” enables AirDrop connections with any nearby Apple devices, regardless of whether they are in your Contacts or not. Choose the option that suits your preferences and requirements.
Once AirDrop is enabled, your Mac is ready to send or receive files via AirDrop. You can drag and drop files onto the recipient’s device in the AirDrop window or use the Share menu within apps to send files using AirDrop.
Remember that for AirDrop to work, the recipient’s device must also have AirDrop turned on and be within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range of your Mac. By following these steps, you can easily turn on AirDrop on your Mac and start enjoying the convenience of wireless file transfers between compatible Apple devices.
Part 3: How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac?
To AirDrop from your iPhone to your Mac, follow these steps:
On your iPhone:
Ensure that both your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and have Bluetooth enabled. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen (or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X or later models) to open the Control Center. In the Control Center, tap and hold the network settings card in the top-left corner (the one with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other icons).
Tap on the “AirDrop” button to open the AirDrop settings. In the AirDrop settings, choose one of the following options: “Contacts Only” to restrict AirDrop to your contacts. “Everyone” to allow AirDrop connections from any nearby Apple devices.
On your Mac:
Ensure that your Mac is turned on, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and has Bluetooth enabled. Open a Finder window by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select “AirDrop” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, press Shift + Command + R on your keyboard to open AirDrop directly. The AirDrop window will appear on your Mac, showing your Mac as available to receive files via AirDrop.
Transferring files from iPhone to Mac:
On your iPhone, open the file or photo that you want to send via AirDrop. Tap the Share icon, typically represented by a box with an arrow pointing upwards. In the Share sheet, you should see an AirDrop section with available AirDrop recipients. Tap on the icon representing your Mac in the AirDrop section.
On your Mac, you will receive an AirDrop notification with a preview of the file/photo being sent.
Accept the AirDrop transfer on your Mac by clicking on “Accept” in the AirDrop notification or by clicking “Save” when prompted to save the file to a specific location.
Once the transfer is complete, the file/photo will be saved on your Mac, allowing you to access it as needed. By following these steps, you can easily AirDrop files and photos from your iPhone to your Mac, facilitating quick and wireless transfers between your Apple devices.
Part 4: How to Airdrop Photos?
To Airdrop photos between compatible Apple devices, such as an iPhone and a Mac, follow these steps:
On iPhone:
Ensure that both your iPhone and the receiving device (e.g., another iPhone or a Mac) have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Navigate to the album or specific photo you want to Airdrop. Tap on the Share icon, typically represented by a box with an arrow pointing upwards. In the Share sheet, you should see available Airdrop recipients displayed at the top. Tap on the icon representing the receiving device in the Airdrop section.
On Mac:
Ensure that your Mac is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and has Bluetooth enabled. Open a Finder window on your Mac by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or using Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select “AirDrop” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, press Shift + Command + R on your keyboard to open AirDrop directly. The AirDrop window will appear, showing your Mac as available to receive files via Airdrop.
The Airdrop transfer:
On your iPhone, after selecting the receiving device in the Airdrop section, a notification may appear on the recipient’s device (e.g., Mac) requesting permission to accept the Airdrop. On the recipient’s device (e.g., Mac), accept the Airdrop transfer by clicking on “Accept” in the notification or the “Save” option if prompted. On the sender’s iPhone, you will see a progress indicator indicating the status of the Airdrop transfer.
Once the transfer is complete, the photos will be saved on the recipient’s device (e.g., Mac) in the Downloads folder or in the specified location if prompted during the transfer.
Note: The exact steps and interfaces may vary slightly depending on the iOS version and the specific devices involved. By following these steps, you can easily Airdrop photos between your Apple devices, allowing for quick and wireless sharing of images.
Part 5: Where do AirDrop Files Go on Mac?
When you receive files via AirDrop on a Mac, the default location for saving those files is the Downloads folder. By default, files received through AirDrop are automatically saved in the Downloads folder unless you specify a different location during the transfer. Here’s how you can locate the AirDrop files on your Mac:
Open a Finder window on your Mac by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or using Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Downloads” or press Shift + Command + L on your keyboard to directly access the Downloads folder. In the Downloads folder, you should find the files that you received through AirDrop. They will be sorted by date and time, with the most recent files appearing at the top. If you specified a different location to save the AirDrop files during the transfer, you can navigate to that specific location to find them.
It’s worth noting that you can change the default save location for AirDrop files on your Mac. To do so, go to Finder Preferences, click on the “General” tab, and choose a different folder under “New Finder Windows show” or “Downloads.” This way, future AirDrop files will be saved in the location you’ve specified. Remember that the exact location of AirDrop files can vary depending on your Mac’s settings and preferences.
Part 6: How to Change AirDrop’s Name on Mac?
To change AirDrop’s name on your Mac, you can follow these steps: Open a Finder window on your Mac by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Utilities.”
In the Utilities folder, locate and open the “Terminal” application. In the Terminal window that opens, type the following command and press Enter:
sudo scutil –set LocalHostName [NewName]
Replace [NewName] with the desired new name for your Mac’s AirDrop. It can be any name you prefer. You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type your password (you won’t see it as you type) and press Enter. After entering the correct password, the Terminal will execute the command, and your Mac’s AirDrop name will be changed to the new name you specified. Close the Terminal application.
After completing these steps, your Mac’s AirDrop name will be updated with the new name you chose. Other devices nearby will now see the updated name when attempting to send files via AirDrop to your Mac. Remember that changing AirDrop’s name on your Mac does not affect the device’s actual name, which is used for other purposes, such as network identification.
Part 7: How to Find Duplicate Files Transferred via AirDrop on Mac?
To find duplicate files that were transferred via AirDrop on your Mac, you can follow these steps:
Open a Finder window on your Mac by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or by pressing Command + Space and typing “Finder” in Spotlight. In the Finder menu, click on “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Home” to navigate to your user home folder.
In your home folder, click on the “Downloads” folder. This is the default location where files received via AirDrop are typically saved. Once inside the “Downloads” folder, you can use various methods to identify and manage duplicate files:
- Manual Comparison: Manually review the files in the folder and look for identical or similar file names or contents. You can sort the files by name, date modified, or file type to help identify duplicates.
- File Comparison Tools: Utilize third-party file comparison tools that can scan the folder and identify duplicate files based on content or file attributes. Some popular tools include Gemini, Duplicate File Finder Remover, and Mac Cleaner.
- Spotlight Search: Use Spotlight, the search feature on your Mac, to search for specific file names or file types that may indicate duplicates. Open Spotlight by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar or by pressing Command + Space. Enter relevant search criteria (such as file name or file extension) and review the results.
By using these methods, you can identify duplicate files within the Downloads folder or any other location where AirDrop files are saved on your Mac. Once you have identified the duplicates, you can choose to keep only one copy, delete the duplicates, or organize them in a different folder for further review or management.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve become well-versed in the art of airdropping photos. With this comprehensive guide, you have the knowledge and skills to effortlessly share your memories with friends, family, and colleagues. Airdrop provides a seamless and efficient way to transfer photos between Apple devices, eliminating the hassle of cables or online platforms. So, why wait? Start using Airdrop today and enjoy the freedom of instant photo sharing. Let your memories soar through the air with Airdrop!