How to transfer files when AirDrop isn't working

When you want to transfer images or other files to nearby Apple devices, often the most convenient way is to use AirDrop. However, sometimes AirDrop may not work properly. In this case, you can consider the following alternatives.

AirDrop is a very convenient feature that allows you to quickly and easily transfer files to and from other Apple devices at home or on a shared Wi-Fi network, or on the go. Starting with iOS 17.1 and macOS Sonoma, AirDrop can continue to transfer files even if the two parties are in different locations, bringing greater convenience to users.

All participants need to be logged in to iCloud, but starting with iOS 17.1, once you successfully start a transfer, the recipient does not have to stay within your Bluetooth range until the transfer is complete. However, if this option isn't available to you or your recipient, here are some tips on how to work around it.

AirDrop Troubleshooting

If you both use Apple devices and AirDrop isn't cooperating, it might be worth taking a minute to try troubleshooting AirDrop. Make sure you and the recipient both have Bluetooth turned on, are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and are within 30 feet of each other.

If these conditions are met, try turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and then turning them back on. Then try AirDrop transfer again. If it still doesn't work or isn't the right solution for the situation, let's turn to some other options to get the job done.

Transfer via email

If the file you are sending is not large, consider sending an email with a zipped attachment of the file. You can easily create folders in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad and move the files you want to send into them.

If you are using a Mac, you can create the folder locally. Once you have the items you want in a folder, you can right-click or Control-click the folder and select the option to compress the folder.

For iPhone or iPad, you can click and hold on the folder or file and select the "Compress" option.

This will create a .zip file that can be opened on Apple, Android and Windows devices. Create an email to the recipient, attach the zip file, and off you go.

Transfer money via iCloud.com

Another quick option is to open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad (called the iCloud Drive app on a Mac) and create a folder , which contains the recipient's name and the item you want to transfer.

After you create a folder, you can right-click or Control-click, or hold on an iPhone or iPad, and select Share.

There, you can add one or more "collaborators" who can access the folder's contents but not your other iCloud items. This will create a link URL that you can send to the recipient via email or text message.

They can access the folder even if they're not on their iPhone or Mac. Once you've determined that the transfer has occurred, you can choose to stop sharing the folder or remove participants at any time.

Transfer via Third-Party Cloud

If you want to move files wirelessly to other devices, paid and limited free third-party options are also available. Services like Box, Dropbox, Sync.com, WeTransfer, and many similar companies offer cloud storage that works similarly to how iCloud sharing works.

Move the files you want to share to a folder on the cloud storage service of your choice. Use the tools provided by the service to generate a link to that shared folder, then text or email the recipient the link so they can download the content they want.

Transfer via USB Drive

If the number or size of files you want to transfer is too large to easily be emailed or put into iCloud or other services, sometimes a small USB "thumb" drive is available Or a portable SSD external drive may do the trick. This is especially effective if you want to transfer files from one computer to another, rather than for a mobile device.

That said, multi-connector USB thumb drives now exist. For smartphone transfers, a thumb drive or portable SSD drive with USB-C and Lightning plugs will make it easy for any modern smartphone or tablet to receive what you want to send.

Copy the files you want to transfer onto the thumb drive, then attach it to the target device and copy them to the device. Thumb drives and most portable SSDs are usually pre-formatted for Windows computers, which makes them readable on all platforms.

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