How to Use AirDrop on iPhone (2026): Send, Receive and AirDrop Codes

AirDrop sends photos, videos, documents and more, wirelessly, to a nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac. You can use it between your own devices or with other people. Apple lists those three device types only, so if you're trying to reach an Android phone or a Windows PC, you'll need one of the AirDrop alternatives instead.

One detail from Apple that surprises people: if you walk out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range after a transfer has started, it doesn't fail. It carries on over the internet. That's handy, and it's also why there's a mobile data setting further down.

Check these before you send anything

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, on both devices.
• The two devices are within 10 metres (30 feet) of each other.
• Both you and the other person have AirDrop turned on.
• If you use a VPN, its set-up doesn't block local networking. Apple says that can interfere with some Continuity features, AirDrop included.
• If the other person only accepts items from contacts, you have to be in their contacts, and your contact card on their phone needs the email address or phone number linked to your Apple Account.
• Sending between your own devices? Sign in to the same Apple Account on both so items are accepted and saved automatically.

Turning AirDrop on and choosing who can reach you

1. Open Control Centre.
2. Touch and hold the group of controls at the top left.
3. Tap the AirDrop button.
4. Choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.

Apple notes that the Contacts Only and Everyone for 10 Minutes options only appear on devices that meet AirDrop's minimum system requirements. Here's how the choices compare:

Setting	Who can send to you	When I'd use it
Contacts Only	People in your contacts whose Apple Account email or phone number is on their contact card	Day to day, as the default
Everyone for 10 Minutes	Anyone nearby, for 10 minutes	A one-off, such as a colleague or client who isn't in your contacts
Your own devices	Anything sent between devices signed in to the same Apple Account	Moving photos from your iPhone to your iPad or Mac; it's accepted and saved automatically

Sending a photo or file, step by step

1. Open the photo, video or document you want to send.
2. Tap the Share button. In some apps it's labelled Share, and in others it's a different button, depending on the app.
3. Tap AirDrop.
4. Tap the person you want to send to. Apple says the list shows people who are nearby, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and can accept files from you.
5. If you see a notification asking for a code, enter the AirDrop code that's showing on the other person's device.

There's a quicker way with people in your contacts. On supported models with iOS 17 or later, Apple says you can open the file and bring your iPhone close to your contact's iPhone to start the transfer. If you only want to swap contact details, Apple has a separate feature for that called NameDrop, and it also has a separate guide on using AirDrop to share passwords and passkeys with people you trust.

What the AirDrop code changes in iOS 26.2

This is the newest part of AirDrop, and it changes how strangers reach you. With iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS 26.2 or later, if someone who isn't in your contacts tries to send you something, they have to use an AirDrop code.

1. You get a notification about the incoming item. If you want it, select Continue, or tap Get AirDrop Code.
2. An AirDrop code appears on your device.
3. Tell the sender the code.
4. They enter it on their device, and the item comes through.

Here's what I'd keep in mind. Once you've done that, Apple says you can keep sending and receiving with that person for 30 days without another code. If it was a one-off with a stranger, you don't have to wait the 30 days out: open the Contacts app, find them in your Other Known list and select Forget This Person.

Receiving: where AirDropped items end up

When something arrives, tap Accept on the AirDrop notification. If it's from one of your own devices signed in to the same Apple Account, there's nothing to tap; it's accepted for you.

Apple says most items are saved in the app they were sent from. Send a photo from the Photos app and it lands in Photos on the other phone. Some items on an iPhone or iPad go to the Files app instead, so if something seems to have vanished, that's the first place I'd look. If you then need a more widely compatible copy of an iPhone photo, my guide to converting HEIC to JPG covers it. The Mac side, including where things land and how the Finder handles AirDrop, is in my separate AirDrop on Mac guide.

Mobile data, roaming and AirDrop

Because a transfer can carry on over the internet when you move out of range, Apple warns that mobile data charges may apply. To stop AirDrop using mobile data, go to Settings, General, AirDrop, and turn off Use Cellular Data, as Apple's guide labels it. Apple describes it as a one-time setting, but suggests changing it when you're travelling and want to avoid roaming charges.

When AirDrop won't work

• Check that both people have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and are using an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
• Check that the recipient's AirDrop is set to receive from Everyone or Contacts Only.
• If they're on Contacts Only, check your Apple Account email or phone number is on your contact card in their phone.
• If you use a VPN, check it isn't blocking local networking.
• Restart your device and try again; that's Apple's own advice when it won't play ball.

And if you're trying to move a big batch, Apple itself says AirDrop is best for a small selection of files. For lots of files between your Mac and other Apple devices, it points you to transferring them to a storage device, a server or the cloud instead.

How I'd set up AirDrop

I'd leave AirDrop on Contacts Only day to day and switch to Everyone for 10 Minutes only when someone who isn't in your contacts needs to send you something, then let it lapse. I'd skip AirDrop for big folders of files, because Apple says it's built for a small selection. And if you travel, I'd switch off its mobile data before you go.

Frequently asked questions

How close do two iPhones need to be for AirDrop?

Apple says within 30 feet (10 metres) of each other, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If you move out of range after a transfer has started, it continues over the internet.

Why is someone being asked for an AirDrop code?

With iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS 26.2 or later, anyone who isn't in your contacts has to use an AirDrop code that appears on your device. After that, you can share with them for 30 days without a new code.

Where do AirDropped photos go on iPhone?

Apple says most items are saved in the app they were sent from, so a photo sent from Photos lands in Photos. Some items on an iPhone or iPad are saved in the Files app.

Can AirDrop use mobile data?

Yes, if you leave Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range during a transfer. To stop it, go to Settings, General, AirDrop and turn off Use Cellular Data.

Are files sent between my own Apple devices accepted automatically?

Yes. Apple says that if you're signed in to the same Apple Account on both devices, the item is accepted and saved automatically.