AirDrop is an ad-hoc service in Apple Inc.'s macOS and iOS operating systems, introduced in Mac OS X Lion (Mac OS X 10.7) and iOS 7, which enables the transfer of files among supported Macintosh computers and iOS devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, without using mail or a mass storage device.
Prior to OS X Yosemite (OS X 10.10), and under OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks (OS X 10.7-10.9, respectively) the AirDrop protocol in macOS was different from the AirDrop protocol of iOS, and the two were therefore not interoperable with each other. However, OS X Yosemite and later support the iOS AirDrop protocol, which is used for transfers between a Mac and an iOS device as well as between two 2012 or later Mac computers, and which uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Legacy mode for the old AirDrop protocol (which only uses Wi-Fi) between two 2012 or older Mac computers is also available.
There is no restriction on the size of the file which AirDrop will accommodate.
Video AirDrop
Routine
macOS
On Macs running macOS 10.7 and greater, AirDrop is available in the Finder window sidebar. On Macs running OS X 10.8.1 or later, it can also be accessed through the menu option Go -> AirDrop or by pressing ? Shift+? Cmd+R.
Wi-Fi must be turned on in order for AirDrop to recognize the other device. The other device must also have AirDrop selected in a Finder window sidebar to be able to transfer files. Furthermore, files are not automatically accepted; the receiving user must accept the transfer. This is done to improve security and privacy.
iOS
On iOS 7 and later, AirDrop can be accessed by either tapping on Settings > General > AirDrop, or swiping up the home screen through Control Center. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are automatically switched on when AirDrop is enabled as they are both utilized.
Options for controlling AirDrop discovery by other devices include:
- No one can see device (Airdrop disabled)
- Only contacts can see device
- Everyone can see device.
In iOS 7 or later, if an application implements AirDrop support, it is available through the share button. AirDrop is subject to a number of restrictions on iOS, such as the inability to share music or videos from the native apps.
Maps AirDrop
System limitations
iOS requirements (transfer between two iOS devices)
Running iOS 7 or later:
- iPhone: iPhone 5 or later
- iPad: iPad (4th generation) or later
- iPad Pro: iPad Pro (1st generation) or later
- iPad Mini: iPad Mini (1st generation) or later
- iPod Touch: iPod Touch (5th generation) or later
AirDrop can be enabled unofficially on iPad (3rd generation). Although not supported by default, AirDrop can be enabled by jailbreaking the device and installing "AirDrop Enabler 7.0+" from cydia. This procedure is not supported by Apple.
macOS requirements (transfer between two Mac computers)
Running Mac OS X Lion (10.7) or later:
- MacBook Pro (Late 2008) or later, excluding the MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008)
- MacBook Air (Late 2010) or later
- MacBook (Late 2008) or later, excluding the white MacBook (Late 2008)
- iMac (Early 2009) or later
- Mac Mini (Mid 2010) or later
- Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card, or Mid 2010 or later)
macOS and iOS requirements (transfer between a Mac and an iOS device)
To transfer files between a Mac and an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, the following minimum requirements have to be met:
Running OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later:
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012) or later
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) or later
- iMac (Late 2012) or later
- Mac Mini (Late 2012) or later
- Mac Pro (Late 2013) or later
Running iOS 8 or later:
- iPhone: iPhone 5 or later
- iPad: iPad (4th generation) or later
- iPad Pro: iPad Pro (1st generation) or later
- iPad Mini: iPad Mini (1st generation) or later
- iPod Touch: iPod Touch (5th generation) or later
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have to be turned on for both Mac and iOS devices. (Both devices are not required to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.)
Security and privacy
AirDrop uses TLS encryption over a direct Apple-created peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection for transferring files. The Wi-Fi radios of the source and target devices communicate directly without using an Internet connection or Wi-Fi Access Point.
In at least one case, a user with AirDrop set to receive from "Everyone" was sent unwanted sexually explicit images from a nearby stranger. On August 13, 2017, the New York Post reported that at least two women were sent nude pictures while commuting.
See also
- Android Beam, a similar technology for Android smart phones (NFC based)
- Bonjour, the service discovery protocol employed
- Shoutr, a free P2P multi-user solution for sharing files among multiple people (Wi-Fi)
- Wi-Fi Direct, a similar technology
- Zapya, a free file transfer solution over Wi-Fi
References
External links
- How-to: Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac
- How-to: How to use AirDrop with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Source of the article : Wikipedia