How to use AirDrop on iPhone and iPad
Turn on and use AirDrop to share and receive photos, documents and more with nearby Apple devices.
Before you begin
Make sure the person you’re sending to is nearby, and you both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, disconnect.
If both devices are on iOS 17 or later, try holding them together to share via AirDrop.
Share with someone in your contacts
On your device, open the app you want to share content from. For example, if you want to share a photo, open the Photos app.
In your library, tap Select, then tap the photo or photos you want to share.
Tap the Share button
, then tap AirDrop.If someone in your contacts is nearby, they’ll appear under People. Tap the name of the person you want to share with.
Ask the other person to tap Accept on their device.
Share with someone not in your contacts
On your device, open the app you want to share content from. For example, if you want to share a file, open the Files app.
Tap the More button
, then tap Select and tap the file or files you want to share.Tap the Share button
, then tap AirDrop.Ask the other person to open Control Centre on their device and do this: touch and hold the connectivity controls, tap AirDrop, and tap Everyone for 10 Minutes.
On your device, tap the other person under People. If both devices use iOS 26.2 or later, they will be prompted to use an AirDrop code.
Ask the person to tap Get AirDrop Code on their device, and then tell you the code to enter on your device. The person will be added to your contacts temporarily for 30 days. If you want, you can remove the person sooner in the Contacts app.
In iOS 16.2 and later, the setting called Everyone for 10 Minutes changes after 10 minutes. If you're signed in to your Apple Account, it reverts to Contacts Only. If you’re not signed in, it will revert to Receiving Off.
Need more help?
Tell us more about what’s happening and we’ll suggest what you can do next.