How to Use AirDrop on Mac

Learn how to send and receive files wirelessly between Apple devices using AirDrop on your Mac. Complete setup and usage guide.

1. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar or press Control + Command + Space. Verify both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles are blue and active. AirDrop requires both radios to function properly.
2. Open AirDrop in Finder. Launch Finder and click AirDrop in the sidebar. If AirDrop doesn't appear, press Command + Shift + R or go to Go > AirDrop from the menu bar. Your Mac will begin scanning for nearby compatible devices.
3. Configure AirDrop visibility settings. At the bottom of the AirDrop window, click the dropdown menu that shows your current discovery setting. Select 'Everyone' to receive files from any nearby Apple device, or 'Contacts Only' to limit transfers to people in your contacts.
4. Send files to another device. Drag any file or folder directly onto a person's icon in the AirDrop window. Alternatively, right-click any file in Finder, select Share, then choose AirDrop and pick the recipient. The receiving device will show an acceptance prompt.
5. Accept incoming transfers. When someone sends you a file, a notification appears showing the sender's name and file preview. Click Accept to save the file to your Downloads folder, or click Decline to reject the transfer. Photos automatically save to the Photos app instead.
6. Monitor transfer progress. Active transfers display a progress circle around the recipient's icon in AirDrop. Large files show a progress bar in the notification. Completed transfers briefly show a checkmark before the notification disappears.