To turn on AirDrop on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, open Settings > General > AirDrop and choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes. You can also swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, press and hold the box with the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth buttons, tap AirDrop, and pick an option. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth need to be on for AirDrop to work.
iOS 17 also added new ways to share, like NameDrop and holding two iPhones together to send a photo. Here’s how to set up AirDrop, send and receive files, and fix it when your iPhone doesn’t show up.
AirDrop receiving options
| Option | Who can send to you |
|---|---|
| Receiving Off | No one. You can still send files. |
| Contacts Only | People in your Contacts. They must also have your phone number or Apple Account email saved. |
| Everyone for 10 Minutes | Anyone nearby. It switches back to Contacts Only after 10 minutes. |
How to turn on AirDrop in Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then AirDrop.
- Choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
How to turn on AirDrop in Control Center
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom.
- Press and hold the connectivity box in the top-left corner, with the Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth buttons.
- Tap AirDrop.
- Choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
How to send something with AirDrop
- Open the photo, file, web page, or contact you want to share.
- Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up).
- Tap AirDrop.
- Tap the person or device you want to send to.
The other person sees a pop-up and taps Accept. If you send something to your own devices signed in to the same Apple Account, it’s accepted automatically.
New AirDrop features in iOS 17
Hold iPhones together to share
Open a photo or file, then bring the top of your iPhone close to the top of another iPhone. When a glow appears, tap Share. Both iPhones need iOS 17 or later.
NameDrop to swap contact info
With your iPhone unlocked, hold it near the top of another iPhone. When the contact cards appear, choose Receive Only or Share. It also works between an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
Both features use Bringing Devices Together. Turn it on or off in Settings > General > AirDrop.
Keep transfers going when you walk away
On iOS 17.1 and later, large AirDrop transfers can continue over the internet if you move out of range. Turn on Use Cellular Data in the AirDrop settings to allow it. Both people need to be signed in to iCloud.
Where do AirDrop files go?
- Photos and videos: The Photos app.
- Web links: Safari.
- Contacts: The Contacts app.
- Other files: You’re asked which app to open them with, or they’re saved to the Downloads folder in the Files app.
AirDrop not working? Try these fixes
- Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. You don’t need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Turn off Personal Hotspot in Settings > Personal Hotspot.
- Stay close. Keep the devices within about 30 feet (9 meters).
- Check receiving settings. If you’re not in each other’s contacts, the receiver should choose Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Unlock the receiving iPhone and keep the screen on.
- Turn off Focus or Do Not Disturb, which can hide AirDrop requests.
- Check Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps & Features and make sure AirDrop is on.
- Restart both devices and install any iOS updates.
Related: Add AirDrop to Favorites on a Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Why does AirDrop keep switching back to Contacts Only?
Everyone for 10 Minutes turns itself off after 10 minutes to prevent unwanted files from strangers. Turn it on again when you need it.
Can I AirDrop from an iPhone to an Android phone?
No. AirDrop only works between Apple devices. To share with Android, use a messaging app, email, or a link from iCloud or Google Drive.
How do I change my AirDrop name?
Go to Settings > General > About > Name and type a new name.
Does AirDrop use cellular data?
Not normally. It uses a direct Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. The only exception is when a transfer continues over the internet after you move out of range with Use Cellular Data turned on.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.