How to Share Files Using Airdrop on iPhone or iPad: 10 Steps

Airdrop is one of the most interesting and useful features available in iOS 7.  It's an easy and secure way to move files (including pictures, contacts, documents and many other) from one iOS device to another. It's available for iPhone 5 or later, fourth generation iPad, iPad mini, as well as fifth generation iPod Touch.  You don't need to be on the same network to share files, since your device will create a mini-Wi-Fi network for you just for the transfer and then close it once the transfer is finished. It's quick, simple and keeps your data safe while it's being transferred between devices.
STEPS

1

SWIPE UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF ANY SCREEN ON YOUR DEVICE TO OPEN CONTROL CENTER.  It's important to start from the very bottom of the screen.

2

ENABLE BOTH BLUETOOTH AND WI-FI ON YOUR DEVICE.  AirDrop uses both technologies to transfer files, so make sure that both are on by selecting their icons in Control Center. If Bluetooth hasn't yet been set up on your device, please set it up.

3

TAP THE "AIRDROP" OPTION IN THE CONTROL CENTER MENU.  Here, you can choose whether you'd like to be visible only to people on your Contacts list or Everyone nearby.  

4

SELECT "EVERYONE" TO MAKE YOUR DEVICE VISIBLE TO ALL IOS DEVICES IN YOUR AREA, OR SELECT "CONTACTS ONLY" TO BECOME VISIBLE ONLY TO OTHER DEVICES ALREADY IN YOUR CONTACTS LIST. It's important to note that if you choose "Contacts Only" it's necessary to have two things setup before AirDrop will work:
An iCloud account must be set up on your device.  If iCloud isn’t setup on your device yet, please enable it.
The recipient device's AppleID must be in your Contacts list.

5

OPEN THE APP CONTAINING THE FILE YOU\'D LIKE TO SHARE USING AIRDROP.  This can be the Photos app, Contacts, Notes, Safari, etc.  AirDrop will work from within whichever app is storing that file.

6

ON THE RECIPIENT\'S DEVICE, TURN ON BLUETOOTH AND WI-FI. Open the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then, make sure both the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi symbols are selected.

7

TURN ON AIRDROP ON THE RECIPIENT\'S DEVICE. Just like on the device that's sending the file, AirDrop must be on and discoverable on the device that it will be transferred to.

8

MAKE SURE THAT THE RECIPIENT\'S DEVICE IS AWAKE AND IN RANGE OF YOURS. AirDrop uses Bluetooth to detect other devices, which has a relatively long range of about 40 feet (or about 12 meters), so you don’t have to be in the same room, although you should be in the same house for the transfer to go smoothly.

9

WHILE VIEWING THE FILE YOU\'D LIKE TO SEND, TAP THE "SHARE" BUTTON.  A number of options will pop up, one of which will be the name of the recipient's device.  If they're in your contact list, you'll also see the image and nickname associated with the AppleID.

10

TAP THE RECIPIENT\'S ICON TO BEGIN THE TRANSFER.  The recipient's device will prompt them to accept your file.  Once the transfer is finished, the file will automatically be opened on the recipient's device.
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TIPS
Currently, even though OSX and iOS both support AirDrop, it's not yet possible to share between mobile devices and computers.
AirDrop can be turned off again through the Control Center, making your device invisible to all devices around you if desired.
WARNINGS
Selecting "Everyone" in the airdrop menu will make your device visible to anyone in the area using AirDrop. While Apple's system is very secure, it may expose your data to unknown third parties. Be cautious when using this option in a public place.
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: Multi Platform Smartphone Applications
Recent edits by: Ron Drabkin, Pasheridan
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