How To Airdrop Apps From Mac To Mac

AirDrop, the seemingly magical technology that allows you to send links, files, and media between iPhones, iPads, and Mac seems easy enough to understand on the surface. If you’re still not sure what AirDrop is and how it works, check out our explainer.

AirDrop works on a device to device connection based on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE. It’s compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 Lion and above along with iOS 7+ devices. If you want to transfer files between Mac and iOS devices and vice-versa, you’ll need to upgrade to iOS 8 and Yosemite.

Mar 13, 2020 Clicking this allows the discovery of older Macs (when trying to do Mac to Mac AirDrop transfers), so you can AirDrop between older Macs too! Don’t connect your iMac via ethernet–you can’t AirDrop files from your Mac to your iPhone without WiFi! Interestingly, you still can send files from your iPhone to your Mac–go figure!

All files sent to a Mac using AirDrop land in the Downloads folder, unlike on the iPhone or iPad where they would automatically appear in the relevant app. For this reason, you may still want to.
Hands down, AirDrop is the easiest way to send files like photos, documents, and even web pages from an iPhone to a Mac (or to another Apple device). AirDrop is automatically available on your.

What to Use it for?

For people deeply invested in the Apple universe, AirDrop is a godsend. Here are some ideas on how to use it:

Send links from iOS to Mac and have them instantly open in the default browser (works both ways if you’re using Safari on Mac).
Send video files from Mac to iOS device before leaving for a trip (no pesky iTunes sync necessary).
Send files like PDF documents from Mac to iOS devices. After the file is sent you can open it in iBooks or any third party apps.
Send pictures from iOS device to Mac. Really useful for tech writers like myself. We take a lot of screenshots.

Using AirDrop on iOS

Pull up the Control Center and tap the AirDrop button. From here you can turn it off, enable it for Contacts or for Everyone. The Everyone option makes your device visible to any Apple device in a 30 feet area. But don’t worry, you’ll still need to authenticate before accepting any file transfers.

To send something from iOS, you’ll need to pull up the uber-familiar Share sheet. Here on the top you’ll see all the devices in your vicinity that you can send the media to.

Just tap on the person’s image and you’re done.

When you receive a file on your iOS device, you’ll need to accept it first. Once the transfer is done you’ll get a menu asking where you want to open it.

Using AirDrop on Mac

To use AirDrop on Mac you’ll need to enable both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Go to Finder and click the AirDrop button to see all the connected devices.

Sharing media from Mac works in two ways. After connected devices are recognized in this AirDrop window, you can just drag the files over their profile pictures and the files will be on their way for authentication.

Similar to iOS, you can use the Share button in any app to get the AirDrop option. A Share option is available in the right-click menu as well.

Troubleshooting AirDrop

Much like magic, AirDrop doesn’t always work. If it’s giving you problems, try doing the following.

On Mac, go to System Preferences -> General and turn Handoff off and on again
On your iOS device, go to Settings -> General -> Handoff and do the same
Reboot both Mac and iOS device
Forget the Wi-Fi network and try reconnecting it

This usually solves the majority of AirDrop issues one might run into.

What Do You Use AirDrop For?

Has AirDrop found a useful little corner in your life? Let us know in the comments below.

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Also See#ios 8 #ipad

Did You Know

The iPhone XS Max run graphics 50 percent faster than the older iPhone X.

What Is AirDrop?

But before we move ahead let’s understand what AirDrop is. In simple terms, AirDrop is a means to share data locally between two devices. Macs compatible with AirDrop are:

MacBook Pro (late 2008 or newer)

MacBook Air (late 2010 or newer)

MacBook (late 2008 or newer)

iMac (early 2009 or newer)

Mac mini (mid-2010 or newer)

Mac Pro (early 2009 with AirPort Extreme or newer)

So, this was a brief introduction.

How To Airdrop Apps From Mac To Mac Computer

Now without any delay let’s discuss troubleshooting steps for AirDrop not working on Mac.

Steps to Fix AirDrop Not Working On Mac

Method 1: Update macOS to the Latest

This one is the most basic yet essential step. It will not only resolve AirDrop not working on Mac but will also help minimize the risk of system crashes. If you are using an outdated version of macOS and trying to send the data to a recently launched iPhone chances are you will get AirDrop stopped working message.

Hence to update macOS follow the steps below:

First thing first before updating your OS remember to backup all your data. For this, you can either Time Machine or can use RightBackup – cloud backup solution.

Download Right Backup Here

Once you have the backup navigate to System Preferences > Software Update and install available updates. However, if you are not using a recent version of the operating system on your Mac then download it from App Store for free.

Method 2: Open AirDrop in Finder

Apple itself suggests that, if you are using OS X Mavericks or earlier, to use AirDrop, open Finder and click on AirDrop in the sidebar to start transferring the files.

But if you are running macOS later than Mavericks no need to follow this step.

Method 3: Check Visibility of Your Mac

If even after updating your macOS you are facing the problem with AirDrop, check for the visibility for AirDrop.

On your, Mac navigate to Finder > AirDrop. Now on the right pane click on the arrow next to “Allow Me to Be Discovered By”. From the drop-down menu select “Everyone” to set the visibility to everyone.

If you are selecting Contacts Only from the drop-down be assured that the contact details of the person (with whom you wish to share files using AirDrop) are stored in your Contacts app.

Method 4: Disable Do Not Disturb on Your Mac

Although you have made the device visible, you cannot see it Do Not Disturb is enabled. Hence you will need to disable Do Not Disturb.

To disable Disable Do Not Disturb mode on Mac click on Notification icon located at the top-right corner of your Mac to open Notification Center. Now toggle Off Do Not Disturb button to disable it.

Method 5: Connect Both Receiver and Sender Device to the Same Wi-Fi Network

Although it is not a primary requirement for AirDrop to work. But in case you have tried all steps and AirDrop is still not working then try connecting both receiver and sender device to the same network.

Apple explicitly states that both devices do not have to share the same Wi-Fi network for AirDrop to work. However, our own experience suggests that when devices share a network, the results are much better. If possible, connect both devices to the same network, and then try again.

Method 6: Turn Off/On Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Manually

Many times disabling and re-enabling the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi manually, resolves the problem of AirDrop not working. To do so click on the respective icons of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in the menu bar located at the top-right corner of your Mac’s screen. Turn off both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and then turn them back on to check whether your problem is resolved or not.

Method 7: Forcefully Restart Bluetooth Service:

How To Airdrop Apps From Mac To Mac Hard Drive

If manually enabling and disabling Bluetooth service doesn’t fix the problem with AirDrop, then forcefully restart Bluetooth service on your Mac.

To do so open a new Terminal window, and type the below command and hit Enter:

How To Airdrop Apps From Mac To Mac Os

sudo pkill blued

Airdrop From Mac To Mac

When asked, enter the admin password for your Mac. This will forcefully restart the Bluetooth service of your Mac by closing all active Bluetooth connections.

How To Airdrop Apps From Mac To Mac Windows 10

So, guys, these were some of the troubleshooting steps that will help if AirDrop not working on your Mac. If you have some other way that has helped you in resolving this problem, then do share them in the comment box below:

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