How to AirDrop iPhone to Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide in 2023

AirDrop is a temporary wireless service released with OS X 10.7 Lion and iOS 7 that allows users to share photos, videos, contacts, documentation, website, location, etc. between two AirDrop-enabled devices (including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, etc.) However, many Apple users do not know how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac or from Mac to iPhone.

This article will show you how to AirDrop iPhone to Macbook/iMac/Mac or from Mac to iPhone 13/12/11/X step by step. Here, we have divided this article into four parts:

Part 1. What to Know about AirDrop before Getting Started

With AirDrop, you can not only AirDrop from iPhone to Mac, but also AirDrop Mac to iPhone, or AirDrop iPhone to iPhone. But before you start, you need to check if your device supports AirDrop, because AirDrop is not available in every version of iPhone and Mac.

Your iPhone must be running iOS 7 or later, and your Mac must be running OS X 10.10 Yosemite or later.

Macs capable of running iOS X 10.10 Yosemite or later include:

• MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
• iMac or Mac mini (2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
• MacBook with 12-inch Retina display (2015 or newer)

You can also confirm that your Mac supports AirDrop by clicking the Go menu in OSX to see if AirDrop is listed as an option.

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Part 2. How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac Directly

As mentioned in the first part, you need to confirm that your device supports AirDrop first. If you still don't know how to confirm, here are more detailed instructions:

• On your Mac computer, tap on "Go" from the menu bar. If you can find AirDrop in the "Go" menu, that means this Mac can use AirDrop.
• On your iPhone or iPad, iPod touch, just open Control Center and check whether AirDrop is here. If AirDrop is in Control Center, then your iPhone can use it well.

OK, let's see how to AirDrop to Mac from iPhone directly now:

Step 1. Turn on AirDrop on Mac and iPhone

On Mac: Click "Finder" > "Go" > "AirDrop" to open the AirDrop setting Window. Make sure your WiFi is on on your Mac. After that, AirDrop turns on automatically. Check the box of "Allow me to be discovered by:" > Select either "Everyone" or "Contacts Only" to enable the Mac computer to receive files from everyone or only those in your Contacts app according to your own needs.

On iPhone: Turn on WiFi and Bluetooth. Tap the AirDrop option in the Control Center, then you can choose whether to receive items from everyone or only from people in your Contacts app.

Step 2. AirDrop from iOS to Mac

On your iPhone, select the file, photo, video or other content that you want to share, tap the "Share" button to open the sharing options. On the new screen, tap the "AirDrop" icon and the app will show you all nearby AirDrop users. Directly select the Mac you want to AirDrop content and all items that you selected will be sent to Mac.

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Part 3. Problems You May Meet When Using AirDrop

When you use AirDrop from iPhone to Mac, you may encounter some problems (AirDrop is not working?). Don't panic, if you encounter one of the issues listed below, read on to find a solution.

1. AirDrop does not appear in Control Center

If you don't see AirDrop in your iPhone's Control Center, then first, make sure your device is compatible with this feature. If it is indeed compatible, your phone may have parental restrictions on AirDrop disabled. You can go to "Settings" > "General" > "Restrictions" and find the restriction item to allow AirDrop service to run on your iPhone.

2. AirDrop does not appear in Finder

As mentioned in part 1, only certain Mac models are compatible with AirDrop. If you're sure your Mac is compatible, then you can try disabling and re-enabling AirDrop.

3. Your Mac can't find the iPhone

If your Mac can't find your iPhone, the first thing you need to do is make sure the network is working. You can also try restarting both devices and then setting AirDrop on both devices to be visible to "Everyone" instead of "Contacts Only".

4. Can't AirDrop music

This problem cannot be solved yet, because it involves copyright issues. Apple doesn't allow you to share music directly from your iPhone to another place via AirDrop. Currently, the types of files you can share via AirDrop are limited. For this, you can use a professional third-party professional transfer tool, such as MobiKin Assistant for iOS, which will be recommended in the next section, to help you transfer 10+ file types. (See how to AirDrop music from iPhone to iPhone?)

5. Multiple file transfer failed

When you use AirDrop to transfer multiple items, you may get the error "Cannot receive all these items at the same time". Here, you need to pay attention that if you use AirDrop to send all files at the same time, these file bag types must be the same. For example, you can transfer multiple .DOCX files at once. But if there is a .TXT file inside, the transfer will fail.

Part 4. How to Transfer Files from iPhone to Mac without AirDrop

Since AirDrop is only used across a limited number of devices, there are many restrictions on the operating system it runs and the file types it supports. Therefore, people still want to find an alternative to AirDrop to transfer files between iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac or Windows computer without any limitations.

MobiKin Assistant for iOS (Mac/Windows) is a powerful iPhone, iPad, iPod data management program for Mac and Windows users. Not only does it allow users to transfer more than 14 different types of files from an iOS device to a Mac or Windows computer, but it can also import files from a computer to an iOS device in reverse. What's more, it also allows users to manage files on the device directly from the computer.

Key Features of Assistant for iOS

• Transfer files of almost any type, including contacts, text messages, music, movies, photos, videos, notes, calendars, bookmarks, and more.
• Supports transferring files from iPhone to Mac, or from Mac to iPhone.
• Manage iOS data on PC or Mac directly without limitations.
• Work with overall iOS devices like iPhone 13/13 Pro (Max)/13 mini, iPhone 12/12 Pro (Max)/12 mini, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, iPhone X/XR/Xs/Xs Max, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6/6S/6 Plus, iPod touch, iPad, etc..

How to transfer to iMac/MacBook/Mac from iPhone with Assistant for iOS?

Step 1. Download and install the program on your Mac computer. Connect your iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable.

Step 2. Trust the Mac and your iPhone will be recognized by the Mac. Then, you'll see an interface like below:

Step 3. Preview and choose the files you wish to send, and click "Export" button to send them from iPhone to Mac easily. If you want to load files from Mac to iPhone, just click the button like "Import".

Closing Remarks

The above is the introduction of how to AirDrop to iMac/Macbook/Mac from iPhone and AirDrop alternative - MobiKin Assistant for iOS. As you can see, Assistant for iOS is much easier than AirDrop. It requires no internet connection, is less prone to errors, and supports far more file types than AirDrop. What's more, it also works with almost all modern Macs and iOS devices. Don't forget to download and give it a try, it won't let you down.

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