AirDrop, a secure, ad-hoc Wi-Fi transfer protocol created by Apple, began life on OS X Lion as a way to easily move files from Mac to Mac and person to person. Pretty much any file available in the Finder can be shared via OS X AirDrop. After a couple of attempts to move it to iOS met with rejections — it was deemed too complicated for mainstream customers — a new, though incompatible version was created specifically for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and released as part of iOS 7. Since iOS has no file system, only items available in the Share sheet — photos, videos, locations, voice memos, notes, etc. — can be shared via AirDrop.
iOS 7 AirDrop uses both Bluetooth 4.0 LE and Wi-Fi, and iOS 7's multi-peer networking, to transfer data. That makes the effective range about 30-feet. Bluetooth is used to broadcast, discover, and negotiate the connection, at which point it's handed off to Wi-Fi for the actual transfer. This allows for the best mix of Bluetooth power savings and Wi-Fi transfer speeds.
Latest about AirDrop
AirDrop not working? Here's the fix!
Is AirDrop not working on your iPhone? Here are a few things you can try to get Apple's file transfer feature to work again.
Chinese security firm claims it can see encrypted AirDrop data using a flaw that has existed since 2019
A government-backed Chinese firm claims it can see encrypted user data from AirDrop.
iOS 17.2 supercharges AirDrop with a new way of sharing tickets
In iOS 17.2, you’ll be able to share boarding passes, movie tickets, and more by tapping to iPhones together.
How to use AirDrop on Android
Solutions that offer Airdrop-like functionality between devices that live outside of Apple's ecosystem.
No, NameDrop doesn't let people steal your kid's contact info, no matter what Facebook tells you
Panic is spreading across Facebook as everyone misunderstands how the iPhone's NameDrop feature works.
How to use NameDrop on iOS 17: send contact details easier than ever before
NameDrop on iOS 17 makes sharing contact details easier than ever before. Here's how to use it.
iOS 17 beta 2 adds AirDrop's big upgrade with NameDrop and more
The iOS 17 beta 2 update is here and it added some new AirDrop functionality.
China's grip on AirDrop could tighten in the name of national security
China plans to clamp down further on the use of AiDrop as a way to bypass censorship.
Windows 11 now has its own version of AirDrop
Windows 11 has been given a feature that looks a lot like Apple's AirDrop, called Phone Link.
AirDrop airplane bomb prank lands teen in jail
A student has confessed to sending a bomb hoax to airplane passengers using the iPhone's AirDrop feature.
Canada slams Apple AirDrop limitations imposed on Chinese iPhone users
Apple has been slammed by Canada after it chose to limit AirDrop use to just ten minutes to prevent Chinese iPhone owners from easily protesting.
Has Apple bowed to Chinese government pressure? AirDrop messaging now limited for local protestors
The new limit will prevent people from sending files to unwilling recipients.
Israel flight to Turkey returns to gate after terrifying AirDrop incident, nine arrested
Nine passengers on a flight from Israel to Turkey have been arrested after their plane was forced to return to the gate when passengers were sent alarming photos of aviation disasters.
How to transfer photos from your iPhone to your Mac
You have a lot of great photos on your iPhone, but how do you go about getting them on your Mac? We show you how right here!
Continuity for iPhone, iPad, and Mac: The ultimate guide
How do you set up and use Continuity to handoff, relay, drop, and hot spot between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac? Here's your ultimate guide!
Cases of AirDrop cyber-flashing on UK trains doubled in 2019 but many instances go unreported
The number of people who received unwanted, explicit AirDrop messages on trains in the UK doubled in 2019.
