How to Turn on AirDrop on a Mac

This article teaches you how to turn on AirDrop on a Mac, as well as looks at how the process works, and any limitations. 

How to Turn AirDrop On

AirDrop is a useful way of sharing files or links between your Mac and other Apple devices. It tends to be automatically enabled on all Apple devices by default, but if you have an older Mac or you switched it off in the past, here's how to turn AirDrop on.

1. Open Finder on your Mac.

2. Click Go.

3. Click AirDrop.

4. At the bottom of the window, choose who you wish your Mac to be discovered by.

   'Contacts Only' means only people on your Contacts can 'discover' your Mac, while Everyone allows anyone with a relevant device to do so. It's possible to disable it by clicking No One.

5. You can now share and receive files using AirDrop.

How to AirDrop a File

Once AirDrop is enabled on your Mac and other devices, it's easy to share a file using the service. Here's what to do.

1. Find the file on your Mac.

2. Click Share.

3. Click AirDrop.

4. Click the device you wish to share with.

   Make sure that device is unlocked and nearby.

How Does AirDrop Work?

AirDrop works across Bluetooth to provide a secure, short-range way to share files. To use it, you just need multiple Apple devices such as a Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Users need to have Bluetooth enabled on both devices, have them relatively close to each other physically, and have sharing preferences set to allow in order to have AirDrop work.

What to Do If AirDrop Doesn't Work

If AirDrop won't work for you, here's a quick look at the main reasons.

• Your Mac is out of date. If you own a Mac running an older macOS than Yosemite, AirDrop won't work with other devices like iPhones. You'll need to update it first.
• You have AirDrop disabled on one or more devices. Check that AirDrop will accept files or links from everyone or your contacts list. If not, it won't work.
• You don't have Contacts set up correctly. Only accepting or sending files to known Contacts is a smart move but it requires you to add someone to your contacts list to work.
• Bluetooth is disabled. If Bluetooth is disabled on your devices, you won't be able to use AirDrop.