What is AirDrop?

What Is Airdrop?

If you use an Apple device or a Mac, you may be wondering what is AirDrop. AirDrop is an application available to Apple device users. It makes sharing content easy and quick. Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, this application creates a transfer between two enabled devices. The content can then be shared in the blink of an eye.

Devices

AirDrop can be enabled on Apple devices using iOS 7 or later or a Mac using OS X Yosemite or later. Apple devices that support AirDrop include iPad Pro, iPad mini or later and iPad 4th generation or later, the iPod touch 5th generation or later and the iPhone 5 or later.

How AirDrop Works

AirDrop works by making a Wi-Fi network using Bluetooth. A firewall is put up to protect the connection, and files are encrypted when sent. AirDrop will recognize nearby devices that have the feature activated. The devices must be close enough to make a connection with each other, which is generally 30 feet maximum distance. AirDrop also makes use of iCloud to verify identify and ensure content is only sent to people you have authorized. This is why you may need to be logged into iCloud to use AirDrop.

How to Use AirDrop

To enable AirDrop on your Apple device, you need to go to the control panel and click AirDrop. To enable it on your Mac, click the Go menu and choose AirDrop. You must also turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned for the application to work. After activating the app, you will need to choose who can send you files. You will have two choices: contacts or everyone.

If you choose contacts, then this is when you will need to be logged into iCloud. You will only be able to send and receive files from devices in your contacts list, and the app must verify their identity using iCloud, so they must be logged in, too. If you choose everyone, then anyone with AirDrop can send you files and you can send files to anyone within range.

To send a file on an Apple device, you need to follow these steps:

1. Choose the file you want to share.
2. Click Share.
3. Choose the device or person you want to share the file with from the AirDrop screen that comes up.

To send a file on a Mac, you have a few options. You can just drag and drop by doing the following:

1. Open the AirDrop app.
2. Drag and drop the file you want to share to the image of the person or device you want to share it with.

You can also use Control/right click by following these steps:

1. Open Finder.
2. Find your file.
3. Hold Control and right click on the file.
4. Select Share in the menu.
5. Tap the image of the person or device you want to share with.

You can also use the share button as you did when using AirDrop on an Apple device.

Files That Can Be Shared

AirDrop gives you the chance to share a range of different types of content. You can share document files, photos, maps, voice memos, videos and contacts. You can also share music and Passbook passes. AirDrop also lets you share links and website address. There is almost nothing that you can’t share with AirDrop.

AirDrop Benefits

Sharing files and other content is nothing new. This is something that people do all the time. However, there are some key differences in sharing using AirDrop over sharing using another method.

To begin with, AirDrop is quick. Typically, content is shared using email or text messages. This requires a lot of work on your part and the part of the receiver. You have to copy the content into a message and send it. Once received, the other person then has to download the content and find the right application in which to open it. With AirDrop, you can just click a couple things and the content is sent straight away to whoever you want. When that person receives it, it is automatically downloaded into the correct application, so it can be opened and accessed right away.

Another great benefit is security. You get to choose who can see you in AirDrop by selecting contacts or everyone, so you get that initial option to stay private from people you don’t know. In addition, even if you choose everyone, you don’t have to accept things from people you don’t know. Everything sent requires your approval, so if you don’t know a sender, you can reject the file. When you are sharing content, the connection made is very secure. Because it uses iCloud to verify identity and sends the information over a secure Bluetooth connection, it offers far more protection of your information that sending it via a text message or email.

Finally, AirDrop lets you share anything. If you have created a grocery list, for example, on your Mac, you can send it quickly to your phone so you can use it to go shopping. If you have a photo on your iPhone that you want to share with a friend, you can easily pop into AirDrop and send it to him or her with a few taps. It is simple to move files between all your Apple devices or to share them with other people, making it a nice tool if you are constantly moving between devices or if you are working in the Cloud with a group of people.

What is AirDrop Conclusion

If you have always wondered what AirDrop was all about, then you now have a good idea of all that it can offer. It can be a great tool to use between friends, on a personal level or even for business. Because of the security and the protection built into the app, you don’t have to worry about information getting into the wrong hands or being intercepted. AirDrop is a great option that lets you finally share files, documents, photo and plenty of other content between Apple products by taking just a couple steps.

Other how to AirDrop Resources

• What is AirDrop
• How to use AirDrop
• How to turn on AirDrop
• How to AirDrop photos
• How to use AirDrop on iPad
• How to use AirDrop on a Mac

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