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iPhone

The iPhone is a smartphone from Apple that runs the iOS mobile operating system. Between its apps, communication features, the camera, mobile internet access, and other functionalities, the iPhone has quickly become an integral part of many peoples tech lives.

How to delete or hide photos and videos on iPhone

by Emily Long

In the Photos app, you can delete photos and videos from your iPhone or hide them. You can also recover photos you recently deleted. Photos you delete and hide are saved in Recently Deleted and Hidden, which you unlock using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

When you use iCloud Photos, any photos you delete or hide are deleted or hidden on all your devices. You can delete or hide several at once, and stop hiding them later, so they reappear in your photo library.

Note: For 30 days, deleted photos and videos stay in the Recently Deleted collection, where you can recover or permanently remove them. After that, they’re permanently removed from all devices.

Delete or hide a photo or video

  1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. While viewing a photo or video, do any of the following:
    • Delete: Tap the Delete button to delete a photo from your iPhone and other devices where iCloud Photos is turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
    • Hide: Tap the More button, then tap Hide.

Hidden photos move to the Hidden collection, and you can’t view them anywhere else.

To keep the Hidden collection from appearing in the Photos app, turn it off. See Hide the Hidden collection.

Delete or hide multiple photos and videos

  1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. View your library or open a collection.
  3. Tap Select and then tap the photos and videos you want to delete or hide.
  4. Do any of the following:

    • Delete: Tap the Delete button to delete the items from your iPhone and other devices where iCloud Photos is turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

      Deleted photos and videos are kept in the Recently Deleted collection for 30 days. During that time, you can recover or permanently remove them from all devices.

    • Hide: Tap the More button, then tap Hide.

Stop hiding photos and videos

If you previously hid a photo or video, you can stop hiding it so that it reappears in your photo library.

  1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Collections.
  3. Tap the Hidden collection (below Utilities), tap View Album, and unlock your iPhone.
  4. Tap the photo or video you want to stop hiding.
  5. Tap the More button, then tap Unhide.

Recover or permanently delete recently deleted items

Photos and videos you delete stay in the Recently Deleted collection for 30 days, and after that, they’re permanently removed from iCloud, your iPhone, and other devices associated with your Apple Account. During those 30 days, you can recover them or delete them permanently at any time.

The Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app. Recently deleted photos appear in a grid on the screen.

  1. Start the Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Collections.
  3. Tap the Recently Deleted collection (below Utilities), tap View Album, and unlock your iPhone.
  4. Tap Select and choose the photos and videos you want to recover or delete.
  5. Tap the More button and tap Recover or Delete.

Note: Check the Recovered collection if the photos or videos you’re looking for aren’t in the Recently Deleted collection.

Lock and unlock the Recently Deleted and Hidden collections

The Recently Deleted and Hidden collections are locked by default. You can unlock these collections using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. To change the default setting from locked to unlocked, do the following:

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps and tap Photos.
  3. Turn off Use Face ID, Use Touch ID, or Use Passcode.

Hide the Hidden collection

The Hidden collection is locked by default, and for an extra layer of privacy, you can remove it from view.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps and tap Photos.
  3. Turn off Show Hidden Album.
Tag: Photos
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How to make a Group FaceTime call on iPhone

by Stacey Butler

In the FaceTime app, you can talk with up to 32 participants in a Group FaceTime call.

You can start one in the FaceTime app or from a group Messages conversation, and add another person to a call. Each participant appears in a tile on the screen, and when a participant speaks, verbally or by using sign language, that tile becomes highlighted or more prominent. You can also join a Group FaceTime call, or leave one at any time.

Note: Group FaceTime calls aren’t available in all countries or regions.

A Group FaceTime call showing five participants in separate tiles.

Start a Group FaceTime call

  1. Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap New Call.
  3. In the field near the top of the screen, enter the names, numbers, or emails of the people you want to call.

    You can also tap the Add Contact button to open Contacts and add people from there, or tap suggested contacts.

  4. Tap FaceTime to make a video call or tap the Call button to make a FaceTime audio call.

Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks (verbally or by using sign language) or you tap the tile, that tile becomes highlighted or more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom. To find a participant you don’t see, swipe through the row. The participant’s initials may appear in the tile if an image isn’t available.

To prevent the tile of the person speaking or signing from becoming more prominent during a Group FaceTime call, go to the Settings app , tap Apps, tap FaceTime, then turn off Speaking below Automatic Prominence.

Note: For sign language detection, the presenter needs a supported model, and everyone on the call, presenter included, needs iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11, or later.

Start a Group FaceTime call from a group Messages conversation

Start a Group FaceTime call from a group iMessage conversation to include all the people you’re chatting with in Messages.

  1. Tap the FaceTime button at the top right of the iMessage conversation.
  2. Tap FaceTime Audio or FaceTime Video.

Add another person to a call

At any time during a FaceTime call, any participant can add another person.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • During a one-on-one FaceTime call: Tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible) and tap the More button. Then tap Add People.
    • During a Group FaceTime call: Tap the people count at the top of the screen and tap Add People.
  2. Enter the name, number, or email of the person you want to add, or tap the Add Contact button to add someone from Contacts. You can add multiple people.
  3. Tap Add People.

Join a Group FaceTime call

If someone invites you to join a Group FaceTime call, you get a notification of the incoming call, and you can join or decline.

Leave a Group FaceTime call

To leave a group call at any time, tap the End button in the FaceTime controls, or tap Leave while viewing the list of participants.

The call stays active while one or more participants remain.

Tag: FaceTime
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How to type braille directly on the iPhone screen with VoiceOver

by Abigail Shilets

With Braille Screen Input in VoiceOver, you can use your fingers to type braille directly on the iPhone screen, without a physical braille keyboard. You can also use Braille Screen Input to enter braille commands for navigating and controlling your iPhone.

You can use it in tabletop mode, with iPhone flat in front of you, or in screen away mode, with the screen facing away from you. Gestures let you enter a space, delete the previous character, move to a new line, or cycle through spelling suggestions.

Enter braille on the screen

  1. With VoiceOver turned on, do one of the following to start Braille Screen Input:

    • Use a gesture: Place one finger from each hand at the top and bottom edges of the screen and double-tap. If the gesture doesn’t work, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Braille. Tap Braille Screen Input and turn on Use Activation Gestures.
    • Use the rotor: When you’re in a text input area, set the rotor to Braille Screen Input. If Braille Screen Input isn’t in the rotor, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor. Tap Rotor Items, then select Braille Screen Input.
  2. Place iPhone in one of the following positions:

    • Tabletop mode: Lay iPhone flat in front of you.
    • Screen away mode: Hold iPhone in landscape orientation with the screen facing away from you. Your fingers wrap around the sides of iPhone to tap the screen.
  3. Enter braille characters by tapping the screen with one or more fingers at the same time.

    Tip: To hear where each dot is located, touch and hold, then drag your finger around the screen. To move the entry dots to match your natural finger positions, tap and lift your right three fingers all at once to position dots 4, 5, and 6, followed immediately by your left three fingers for dots 1, 2, and 3.

    You can also use gestures to perform actions such as the following:

    Action Gesture
    Enter a space Swipe right with one finger; in screen away mode, swipe to your right
    Delete the previous character Swipe left with one finger
    Move to a new line Swipe right with two fingers
    Cycle through spelling suggestions Swipe up or down with one finger
    Enter a carriage return, or send a message (in Messages) Swipe up with three fingers
    Cycle through modes (like Braille Entry Mode and Command Mode) Swipe left or right with three fingers
    Translate immediately (if you’re typing contracted braille) Swipe down with two fingers
    Switch to the next braille table Swipe up with two fingers
  4. To exit Braille Screen Input, slide two fingers in opposite directions, or do a two-finger scrub (draw the letter “z” by quickly moving two fingers back and forth three times).

Quick tip: To view and edit the commands and gestures you can perform with Braille Screen Input turned on, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Braille Screen Input.

Type on the screen to enter braille commands

Braille Screen Input Command Mode lets you control iPhone by typing braille commands on the screen, using the same commands you’d use with a refreshable braille display.

  1. With VoiceOver turned on, place one finger from each hand at the top and bottom edges of the screen and double-tap to start Braille Screen Input.
  2. Switch to Command Mode by swiping left or right with three fingers.
  3. Type braille commands directly on the screen.

Change Braille Screen Input settings

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap VoiceOver.
  3. Tap Braille, then tap Braille Screen Input.
  4. Set any of the following:
    • Use Activation Gestures: To start Braille Screen Input, place one finger from each hand at the top and bottom edges of the screen and double-tap. If this option is off, use the rotor to start Braille Screen Input.
    • Start Automatically when Editing Text: Have Braille Screen Input start automatically when you enter a text input area.
    • Keep Active until Dismissed: After you launch an app or choose an item in Braille Entry Mode, automatically switch to Command Mode and keep it active.
    • Customize Commands: Go to the command you want to customize and tap Assign New Braille Keys.
    • Learn Dot Positions: Have Braille Screen Input calibrate the positions of dots as you enter them. Reverse Dot Positions: For six-dot braille, swap the positions of dots 1 and 3, and dots 4 and 6.
    • Visual Text Feedback: As you type in braille, display a text translation of what you’re typing.
    • Typing Feedback: Get sound or haptic feedback as you enter text with Braille Screen Input.
    • Single Hand Mode Style: Choose one of the following options to type in Portrait orientation:
      • Right Hand or Left Hand: Type a column of dots and swipe right to enter an empty column. Double-tap to enter one braille cell. (Dots 1 and 4, dots 2 and 5, and dots 3 and 6 are oriented from left to right.) Right Hand is turned on by default.
      • Slate and Stylus: Your screen acts as a braille cell with 6 dots. (Dots 1, 2, and 3 are on the right side, and dots 4, 5, 6 are on the left side.)
      • Reversed Slated and Stylus: Your screen acts as a braille cell with 6 dots. (Dots 1, 2, and 3 are on the left side, and dots 4, 5, 6 are on the right side.)
    • Mode Announcements: When you switch Braille Screen Input modes, have VoiceOver speak, play sounds, or both.
    • Choose a Braille table: Select a braille format.
Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to use Quick Notes on iPhone

by Chris Smith

You can use Quick Notes to jot down information over any app or screen on iPhone. Add links, images, tags, and mentions to a Quick Note so you can get to important names, numbers, and ideas easily.

There’s a shortcut back, too. When you highlight text in Safari or add a link from an app, you see a Quick Note thumbnail next time you visit the site, taking you right to what you were viewing before.

You can access all your Quick Notes in the Notes app, and when you make a Quick Note on your iPhone, you can see the note on your iPad and Mac, too.

A Quick Note showing a link to a location in Maps and text underneath. The Save button is on the top left.

Take a Quick Note

You can make a Quick Note in either of these ways:

  • From any app or screen: Add to Control Center, then tap the Quick Note button in Control Center. Tap Save when you’re done.
  • From supported apps: Tap the Share button, then tap Add to Quick Note. Tap Save when you’re done.

View and organize Quick Notes

  1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Quick Notes in the folders list. You may have to tap the Back button to see your folders. Note: You can’t lock a Quick Note unless you move it to a different folder. If you move an individual Quick Note to a different folder, it becomes a standard note and no longer appears as a Quick Note in other apps.
Tag: Notes
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How to read and share stories in News on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

You can read and share News stories on iPhone.

While viewing a story, you can read the next story or the previous story, and tell News what stories you prefer with Suggest More or Suggest Less, so your feedback is taken into account. You can also read stories shared with you, and share a story with others in the News app. Apple News and Apple News+ aren’t offered in all countries or regions, though.

Note: Apple News and Apple News+ aren’t available in all countries or regions.

Read a story

  1. Start the News app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap a story to read it. While viewing a story, do any of the following:
    • Read the next story: Swipe left.
    • Read the previous story: Swipe right.
    • Return to the list of stories: Tap the Back button.
    • Tell News what stories you prefer: Tap the Suggest More button or the Suggest Less button. Your feedback is taken into account for future recommendations.
    • Change the text size: Tap the More button and tap Text Size. Then tap the smaller or larger letter to change the text size in the story and all other stories in the channel. (Not available in all channels.)
    • Share a story: Tap the More button. Choose a sharing option, such as Messages or Mail.
    • Report a concern: If you believe that a story you’re viewing is mislabeled, inappropriate, offensive, or doesn’t display properly, tap the More button, tap Report a Concern and then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Report a Concern, Save Story, Suggest More, and Suggest Less options aren’t available in Apple News+ issues in PDF format.

Read stories shared with you

When a friend shares stories with you using the Messages app, you can easily find them in the Shared with You section in Apple News. (Your friend must be in your contacts list in Contacts.)

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
  3. Tap Shared with You and then make sure News is turned on.
  4. Start the News app on your iPhone.
  5. Tap Following and tap Shared with You. Do any of the following:
    • Tap a shared story to read it in News.
    • Tap the name of the person who shared a story to reply to them in the Messages app. To reply while reading the story, tap the name shown below the channel’s logo.
Tag: News
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How to manage Wi-Fi settings on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

After your iPhone joins a Wi-Fi network, you can change settings for that network, share its password with another nearby device, and choose how iPhone joins new Wi-Fi networks and nearby Personal Hotspots.

You can forget a network, use Low Data Mode, and turn on a private Wi-Fi address, which helps reduce tracking of your iPhone across networks. You can also hide your IP address from known trackers. You can’t share a password unless the other device is nearby, though.

Change settings for the connected network

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, tap the Info button, and do any of the following:
    • Forget the network: Tap Forget This Network.
    • Use Low Data Mode: Turn on Low Data Mode to help reduce iPhone’s data usage on the network.
    • Use a private Wi-Fi address: Turn on Private Wi-Fi Address to help reduce tracking of your iPhone across different Wi-Fi networks.
    • Limit IP address tracking: Turn on Limit IP Address Tracking to hide your IP address from known trackers.
    • Use cellular data in addition to Wi-Fi: Turn on Use Connectivity Assist.
    • Configure DNS, HTTP Proxy, and other network settings: Tap a setting, then enter the details.

Share a Wi-Fi password

When your iPhone is on a Wi-Fi network, you can share the Wi-Fi password with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby.

  1. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and signed in to your Apple Account.
  2. Make sure of the following: the person you’re with is signed in to their Apple Account on their device, they’re in your contacts list, and their device is nearby.
  3. On your contact’s device, choose the Wi-Fi network.
  4. On your iPhone, wait for the Wi-Fi Password notification to appear. Then tap Share Password.

Set whether iPhone asks to join networks

iPhone automatically joins known networks. When none are in range, iPhone can let you know that other networks are available.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Ask to Join Networks.
  3. Choose Off, Notify, or Ask.

Set whether iPhone joins Personal Hotspots automatically

With no Wi-Fi network available, iPhone can connect to a nearby Personal Hotspot on another device that’s signed in to your Apple Account.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Auto-Join Hotspot.
  3. Choose Never, Ask to Join, or Automatic.
Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to use iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

You can send a poll, play a game, record audio messages, share songs, and more, all with iMessage apps, without leaving the Messages app.

You can customize your list of available apps by rearranging them, or add iMessage apps you find in the App Store. The Messages app comes with iMessage apps for polls, photos, videos, audio messages, stickers, and more.

Here’s how to use iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone.

A list of features that appears after tapping the Add button in a Messages conversation.

Rearrange iMessage apps

  1. Start the Messages app on your iPhone.
  2. In a conversation, tap the Add button.
  3. Touch and hold any app icon in the list until it shrinks a little. Then drag it to the location where you want it.

To move the app icon to a different page, drag it to the top or bottom edge of the menu. You might need to wait a moment for the new page to appear.

Add iMessage apps

The Messages app includes iMessage apps you can use to send photos, videos, stickers, polls, audio messages, and more, and you can download additional iMessage apps for even more options.

  1. Start the Messages app on your iPhone.
  2. In a conversation, tap the Add button.
  3. Tap Store to open the App Store for iMessage.
  4. Tap an app to see more details and reviews and then do one of the following:
    • Purchase an app: Tap the price. Payments are made using the method associated with your Apple Account.
    • Download a free app: Tap Get.
Tag: Messages
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How to fill out your Health Details in Health on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

To personalize your experience, add your name, date of birth, sex, blood type, and other basic information to Health Details. To help first responders and others in case you have a medical emergency, create a Medical ID that contains information about medical conditions, medications, allergies, blood type, emergency contacts, and more.

To better manage your health with the help of the Health app, periodically review the Health Checklist. And if you skipped any details when you first opened Health, you can add them later.

Fill out the Health Details screen

The first time you open Health, it asks you to provide basic health information about yourself. Anything you don’t supply then, you can add later on the Health Details screen.

  1. Start the Health app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Summary, then tap your picture or initials.
  3. Tap Health Details and tap Edit.

    The Health Details screen, which includes fields for name, birth date, blood type, and other information.

  4. To make a change, tap a field.
  5. When you’re finished, tap the Done button. Then swipe down to exit.

Create a Medical ID

Your Medical ID lets first responders and others view critical medical information about you, even while your iPhone is locked.

A Medical ID screen containing information including birth date, medications, allergies, emergency contacts, and medical conditions.

Review your Health Checklist

  1. Start the Health app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Summary, then tap your picture or initials.
  3. Tap Health Checklist.
  4. To turn on or learn more about an item in the list, tap it.
  5. When you’re finished, tap the Done button.
Tag: Health
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How to change the wallpaper on iPhone

by Chris Smith

On iPhone, you can change the wallpaper on the Lock Screen and the Home Screen. You can set your wallpaper in Settings or through the wallpaper gallery from your Lock Screen. You can design your wallpaper with Photos, Emoji, or Color, or choose a wallpaper option from one of the featured sets, such as Nature. You can use the same wallpaper on both the Lock Screen and Home Screen as a wallpaper pair, or make changes to the Home Screen, like blurring the wallpaper.

The Wallpaper Settings screen, with buttons for customizing the current wallpaper on the Home Screen and Lock Screen, and the Add New Wallpaper button for changing the wallpaper.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wallpaper, tap Add New Wallpaper, and then do any of the following:
    • Tap a button at the top of the wallpaper gallery—for example, Photos, Emoji, or Color—to design your wallpaper.
    • Choose a wallpaper option from one of the featured sets (for example, Nature).

Note: If you don’t see wallpaper options you want to use (for example, Weather or Astronomy), scroll down to see more options, then tap Get below the one you like.

  1. Tap Add, then do one of the following:
    • Choose to use the wallpaper on both the Lock Screen and Home Screen: Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair.
    • Make changes to the Home Screen: Tap Customize Home Screen. Tap a color to change the wallpaper color, tap the Select a Photo button to use a custom photo, or select Blur to blur the wallpaper so the apps stand out.

Quick tip: Link your Lock Screen to a particular Focus, and your wallpaper switches automatically whenever you switch to that Focus.

Tag: Lock Screen
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How to use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

by Stacey Butler

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac. AirDrop works for sending files to your own devices or sharing them with others.

It’s secure, too, since transfers are encrypted for security, and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it arrives. You can even share an item with an AirDrop code. And if you leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range after a transfer starts, it continues over the internet.

Here’s how to use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices.

Note: After an AirDrop transfer starts, it continues over the internet if you leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range.

A Mac is next to an iPhone. The AirDrop dialog is open on the Mac desktop, ready to share a document with the iPhone. The iPhone screen has a notification about receiving the document.

Before you begin

Before you send anything with AirDrop, make sure both of these are true:

  • Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® turned on.
  • The devices are within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

If you’re on a VPN, its configuration shouldn’t block local networking, since that may interfere with some Continuity features.

When you use AirDrop to send items between your Apple devices, signing in to your Apple Account means your devices accept and save them automatically.

Turn on AirDrop

  • On an iPhone or iPad: Open Control Center, touch and hold the top-left group of controls, then tap the AirDrop icon. Tap Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes to choose who you want to receive items from.

    Note: The Contacts Only and Everyone for 10 Minutes options are available only on devices with minimum system requirements for AirDrop.

  • On a Mac: Click the Control Center status menu in the menu bar, then click the AirDrop icon. When it’s blue, it’s on.

To choose who can send items to you, click the right arrow next to AirDrop, then click Contacts Only or Everyone.

Share an item with an AirDrop code

With iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, macOS 26.2, or later, if someone tries to send you an item with AirDrop and they’re not in your contacts, they must use an AirDrop code. If you choose to receive the item, select Continue. The AirDrop code appears on your device. After you share the code with the sender and they enter it on their device, the item is shared. You can continue to share and receive items using AirDrop with that person for 30 days without needing to use another AirDrop code. If you no longer want to share items before the 30 days are up, go to the Contacts app , find the sender in your Other Known list, then select Forget This Person.

Send an item using AirDrop

To send an item to someone over AirDrop, you and your recipient both need AirDrop turned on.

Some people only accept items from a contact. To send items to them, you must be in their contacts list, and your contact card there needs to include your Apple Account email address or phone number.

  • On an iPhone or iPad: Open the item, then tap the Share icon, Share, the AirDrop icon, or another button (depending on the app). Tap the AirDrop icon, then tap the recipient you want to share with. The recipients you see are those who are nearby, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and are able to accept files from your device.

    Tip: If you’re within close range of someone in your contacts, you can initiate an AirDrop transfer by opening the file you want to share, then moving your iPhone close to your contact’s iPhone (on supported models with iOS 17 or later).

  • On a Mac: Open the item on a Mac, click the Share icon in the toolbar, then click AirDrop. Select the recipient you want to share with. The recipients you see are those who are nearby, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and are able to accept files from your device.

    Tip: You can also share items with AirDrop in the Finder. To open a Finder window, click the Finder icon in the Dock. Click AirDrop in the sidebar, then drag the item you want to share to the recipient you want to send it to.

When a notification asks you to enter a code to share the item, enter the AirDrop code that’s generated on the recipient’s device.

Receive items with AirDrop

On your device, tap or click Accept on the AirDrop notification.

If you see a notification that you need an AirDrop code in order to receive the item, tap or click Get AirDrop Code and share it with the sender. The sender enters the code on their device in order to send the item with AirDrop.

Note: Between devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, items you send are accepted automatically.

Items usually land in the app they were sent from. Say someone uses AirDrop to send you a photo from their Photos app. It’s saved in the Photos app on your device.

Your files may also end up in other places, depending on the device. On an iPhone or iPad, the Files app may hold some items. On a Mac, some items end up in the Downloads folder automatically, though you may get the option to choose where to save items, like saving a photo in the Downloads folder or opening it in Photos.

Note: When you open AirDrop in the Finder on a Mac, you’ll see the notification to accept or decline here instead of in Notification Center.

Send items from one of your Apple devices to another, say from your Mac to your iPhone, and the receiving device automatically accepts and saves them, as long as you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both.

Turn off cellular data for AirDrop

Cellular data charges may apply when you use AirDrop.

If you don’t want to use cellular data when you’re out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range, go to Settings > General > AirDrop, then turn off Use Cellular Data.

You’ll usually set this only once. But you might want to change it when you’re traveling and want to avoid roaming charges, for example.

If AirDrop isn’t working

  • Make sure that both the sender and recipient have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and that you’re both using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Check that the recipient has their AirDrop settings set to receive from Everyone or Contacts Only.
  • If you’re having difficulty getting AirDrop to work, restart your device and try again.

AirDrop is best for sharing a small selection of files between devices.

Tag: AirDrop
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